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on Africa |
| By: | Sandambi, Nerhum |
| Abstract: | The study shows the exclusion of the poor in various governance programmes. It analyses some developing countries in Africa. In most of these countries, the poor are excluded from the economic policies implemented by their governments. The analysis shows that there is evidence of ongoing and persistent poverty, which is strongly supported by exclusive economic policies in line with extractive political institutions, but there is also a kind of institutional ignorance and discrimination of opportunities that has been strongly supported by patterns of rejection in the first place. There are also reasons why poor countries are overly dependent on Western countries to a significant degree. This dependence, however, makes a significant part of these countries corrupt and strongly aligned with exclusive policies and extractive institutions. |
| Date: | 2025–01–14 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:kmvn2 |
| By: | Hayah, Ichrak; Ezebuiro, Victor; Kagame, Samuel Paul; Kuja, Josiah O.; Waruhiu, Cecilia; Nesengani, Lucky Tendani; Mdyogolo, Sinebongo; Molotsi, Annelin; Abechi, Priscilla; Abushady, Asmaa M. |
| Abstract: | The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) is a Pan-African initiative aimed at improving food systems and biodiversity conservation through genomics while ensuring equitable data sharing and benefits. The Open Institute is the knowledge exchange platform of the AfricaBP which aims to bridge local knowledge gaps in biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics and enable infrastructural developments. In 2024, the AfricaBP Open Institute advanced this mission by organising 31 workshops that attracted more than 3500 registered attendees and trained 380 African researchers in genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, sample collections and biobanking, and ethics, across all five African geographical regions involving 40 African and non-African organizations. These workshops provide current understanding on the applications of biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics to the African bioeconomy as well as providing practical and hands-on training in genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, gene editing, and sample collection and processing. Here, we provide the current understanding of the applications of biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics to the African bioeconomy through synthetic reviews and presentations, including descriptions of 31 workshops organised as well as three fellowship programs delivered or launched by the AfricaBP Open Institute in collaboration with African and international institutions and industry partners. We review the current national bioeconomy strategies across Africa and the economic impact of sequencing African genomes locally, illustrated by a case study on the proposed 1000 Moroccan Genome Project. Finally, we provide recommendations on how African countries could integrate biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics into national economic plans and bioeconomy strategies. |
| Date: | 2025–01–16 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:dhcxp |
| By: | Gnangnon, Sèna Kimm |
| Abstract: | The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a non-reciprocal trade preference offered by the United States to Sub-Saharan African countries, is set to expire on 30 September 2025. The present article examines the effect of the AGOA suspension on poverty in suspended countries. The analysis covers an unbalanced sample of 43 SSA countries, of which 15 SSA countries at least once from the benefits of the AGOA (the treatment group), and 28 SSA countries eligible to the benefits of the programme, but that never suspended from those benefits (control group). The empirical findings indicate that the AGOA suspension has raised poverty in suspended countries, with countries that export non-resource products being the most adversely affected. In addition, the AGOA suspension results in a higher poverty rate in the long-term than in the short-term. Finally, the analysis has revealed that the poverty situation of suspended countries has worsened relatively to countries that never benefited from the programme. This shows that the poverty situation of the suspended countries has deteriorated after the AGOA suspension compared to what their situation would have been if they did not benefit from the programme. The analysis sheds light on the poverty increases consequences of the AGOA suspension, and also points to the adverse consequences of the uncertainty surrounding non-reciprocal trade preferences for beneficiary countries. |
| Keywords: | AGOA Suspension, Poverty, Sub-Saharan African countries |
| JEL: | F14 I30 O11 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:esprep:309194 |
| By: | Kelsey Harris (Center for Global Development); Kehinde Ajayi (Center for Global Development); Astha Mainali (Center for Global Development) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines public expenditures on childcare and early childhood development in four African countries, providing comparative policy insights to advance gender equality and women's economic empowerment. It begins by addressing the methodological and data challenges involved in obtaining and analyzing public expenditure data in these critical areas. The analysis then focuses on Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Rwanda, and Senegal, examining government spending and national policies aimed at promoting accessible, affordable, and quality childcare. Findings indicate that these countries typically invest less than 0.2 percent of GDP and around 2 percent or less of their education budgets on pre-primary education, with less than 2 percent of foreign aid to education directed to early childhood education (with the recent exception of Côte d'Ivoire). These investment levels fall significantly short of international recommendations, though the precision of these figures is hindered by significant gaps and complexities in accessing and analyzing comprehensive expenditure data. The paper identifies key policies shaping public expenditures and explores the potential economic and social benefits of increasing childcare investments in these countries over time. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to enhance the transparency and accessibility of expenditure data, prioritize early childhood in public funding, and leverage international aid and policy frameworks to optimize childcare services in Africa. By doing so, these efforts can better facilitate gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and economic development. |
| Date: | 2024–12–17 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cgd:ppaper:349 |
| By: | MAHMOUD ARBOUCH; ASYA PELKES |
| Abstract: | The European Union’s (EU) Global Gateway initiative, established to enhance global connectivity and sustainable infrastructure, offers a significant opportunity to align with Africa’s development goals under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). However, the challenge lies in whether the Global Gateway can effectively complement AfCFTA’s objectives of boosting intra-African trade and industrialization by addressing critical infrastructure gaps. This paper examines how the EU’s initiative can foster successful partnerships rather than dependencies, while supporting Africa’s economic integration and sustainable development. The paper argues that aligning the AfCFTA and Global Gateway initiatives can foster sustainable and inclusive growth by reducing logistical bottlenecks, enhancing regional trade, and creating a competitive and integrated African market. However, achieving these goals requires strategic coordination, robust policy frameworks, and a commitment to balancing external partnerships with Africa-centric priorities, to ensure long-term sovereignty and economic resilience. |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ocp:rpaeco:pp_21-24_0 |
| By: | Santos Bila; Utkarsh Kumar; Alexis Meyer-Cirkel |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the use of tax policy as industrial policy in Mozambique. Despite significant foregone tax revenue due to industrial policy in the form of tax incentives, the effectiveness of Mozambique's tax policy remains questionable due to insufficient data and unclear public policy strategy. Through an examination of macro data, tax reports, and data from World Bank Enterprise Surveys, the note underscores the need for a thorough reassessment of existing tax measures. It advocates for a more strategic, targeted and evidence-based design of tax incentives that deliver on industrial policy goals. |
| Keywords: | Tax Policy; Industrial Policy; Mozambique; Tax Incentives; Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); Revenue Mobilization; Market Distortions; Fiscal Expenditure; Domestic Investment |
| Date: | 2025–01–17 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2025/010 |
| By: | Kirui, Oliver K.; Siddig, Khalid; Fisher, Monica; Abushama, Hala; Ahmed, Mosab; Raouf, Mariam; Taffesse, Alemayehu Seyoum |
| Abstract: | Sudan's food security landscape has been dramatically impacted by the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023. The conflict has exacerbated an already precarious situation for the country, characterized by macroeconomic instability, climate shocks, and persistent discord and tension. This policy note analyzes the evolution of food insecurity in Sudan during the conflict, drawing from analysis of four nationwide surveys conducted before and during the conflict, namely the 2022 Sudan Labor Market Panel Survey (SLMPS), 1 the 2023/24 Sudan Rural Household Survey, 2 the 2024 Sudan Urban Survey, 3 and the recently completed 2024 Rural Household Survey. The findings highlight significant deterioration in food security across rural and urban areas of Sudan. Based on insights from these surveys, policy recommendations are offered to address food insecurity in the context of the conflict in Sudan. Before the outbreak of the conflict in 2023, Sudan was already facing significant food insecurity challenges. The 2022 SLMPS, a nationwide survey conducted in person, revealed that approximately 49 percent of Sudanese households were food secure. Factors such as high inflation, climate-related shocks, and underinvestment in agriculture have led to many households facing problems accessing sufficient healthy food, adversely affecting their food consumption. The reliance of Sudan on imports for a significant share of food consumption, coupled with a devaluating Sudanese Pound and rising inflation, strained household purchasing power, further limiting access to essential foodstuffs. Food insecurity was uneven across the country. Rural areas, where consumption of own agricultural production is essential for household food security, had higher food insecurity than urban areas. Some regions were particularly vulnerable to food insecurity, including the Darfur and Kordofan regions and Blue Nile states. Localized conflicts in these areas disrupted agricultural activities and displaced communities even before broader-scale fighting between SAF and RSF began. |
| Keywords: | REPUBLIC OF THE SUDAN; EAST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA; capacity development; conflicts; food insecurity; macroeconomics; policy innovation |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:sssppn:8 |