|
|
The G8 and Africa
In October 2001, African leaders launched the New Partnership for
Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The G8 leaders have endorsed the NEPAD and
have adopted it as their official policy towards Africa. At the 2002
Kananaskis Summit, the G8 will attempt to produce an Action Plan for
NEPAD’s implementation.
New Partnership for Africa’s Development
The goals of the NEPAD includes the following:
- Eradication of poverty
- Achieve and maintain sustainable growth and development
- Increase education and health services
- Increase gender equality
- Reduce infant and maternal mortality ratios
- Reverse environmental damage
To achieve these goals, the NEPAD provides for the following
initiatives:
- Peace, Security, Democracy, and Political Governance Initiative
Includes greater regional and continental political stability and
democratic reforms in government.
- Economic and Corporate Governance Initiative
Includes African countries having more domestic control over
economic growth and development.
- Infrastructure Initiative
Includes increased spending in information and communication
technologies, energy, transportation, water, and sanitation.
- Human Resource Development Initiative
Includes increased spending in poverty reduction, education, and
health.
- Capital Flows Initiative
Involves increasing domestic capital mobilization, debt relief,
foreign aid reforms, and increased private investment.
- Market Access Initiative
Includes diversification in the African economy, the promotion of
African exports, and a reduction of trade tariffs in foreign markets.
- Environmental Initiative
Involves the development of a coherent environmental program.
Concerns About the NEPAD
Many have argued that the NEPAD will fail. The Alberta Council for
Global Cooperation points to the following weaknesses:
- Lack of Consultation
The NEPAD is hailed as an “African initiative.” However, the
initiative was developed with almost no consultation with the African
public. This lack of consultation may lead to ineffective initiatives.
- HIV/AIDS
The NEPAD only minimally addresses important health issues such as
AIDS and other communicable diseases.
- Structural Adjustment
The NEPAD does not address the negative economic, social, and
environmental impacts of Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) that the
World Bank and IMF places on African borrowers.
- Growth Through Exports
The NEPAD goal to foster economic development by increasing African
exports may be unrealistic. This strategy is dependent upon
industrialized countries (such as Canada) being willing to reduce
tariffs that protect their domestic industries. Up until this point,
most industrialized countries have been unwilling to do so.
|
