Advertisement

New fellowship to boost Africa's growth

Friday March 24 2017
road

A road under construction in Rwanda. The Economic Commission for Africa has launched its revised fellowship programme that seeks to contribute to the continent's transformative agenda 2063. PHOTO | FILE

aThe Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has launched its revised fellowship programme that seeks to contribute to the continent's transformative agenda 2063.

The launch took place in Dakar Friday, where Africa's Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development are attending their 10th annual conference under the theme, "Growth, inequality and unemployment." The conference, taking place from March 23- 28, is part of the Africa Development Week 2017.

"The ECA fellowship is being re-aligned to promote the economic and social development of its 55 member states by fostering intra-regional integration and promoting international co-operation for Africa's development,” said ECA's capacity development division director Stephen Karingi.

The fellowship equips young African scholars with knowledge and experience in four key areas: Policy research, knowledge delivery, dynamics for an integrated and coherent approach, and aligning corporate incentives and support systems.

According to ECA’s deputy executive secretary Giovanne Biha, African countries should adopt strategies that address the challenges of growth, inequality and unemployment within the context of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the 2030 United Nations agenda for sustainable development

“The absence of decent jobs for young Africans has fuelled migration, both within and from Africa resulting in tragic loss of lives as young people attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea in search of greener pastures,” said Ms Biha at the meeting in Senegal.

Advertisement

Ms Biha said that more needs to be done to promote investments in job creation and human capital development.

African Union Commission’s economic affairs commissioner, Anthony Maruping said that Agenda 2063 seeks to achieve growth in job creation. He urged the continent to work hard to eradicate all forms of inequalities.

"Africa is clear on what needs to be done as it deals with challenges in boosting economic growth for the benefit of all," said Mr Maruping.

The conference will explore measures to reduce inequality and extreme poverty on the continent in order to achieve the targets of the 10 years (2013-2023) of Agenda 2063 and the sustainable development plan. Industrialisation and infrastructure as well as the role of cities in ending the Aids epidemic in Africa are part of the agenda.

 

Advertisement