Harmonising Institutions in Africa
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| Regional economic communities Photo courtesy |
Continental and Regional Institutions in Africa
The Africa Union, the successor organization to the Organization of African Union is the premier continental institution. The most strategic and indigenous decisions in Africa are made during the twice yearly meeting of African Heads of State and Government. The executive and administrative organ of the African Union (AU) is the African Union Commission (AUC) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The African Development Bank (ADB) primary focus is on reducing poverty in member states, improving the living conditions of Africans in the continent and mobilizing resources for continental development. ADB shareholders include non African countries. However, the evident overwhelming focus of the institution is on Africa’s sustainable development.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is the premier Africa’s intellectual and technical policy entity on economic and sustainable development issues. As one of the United Nations five regional commissions, the ECA is primarily focused on promoting economic and social development in Africa and facilitating international economic cooperation. The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa Region is the arm of the specialized UN agency focused on the attainment of health by all in Africa. Although the regional office is part of the WHO based in Geneva, member states in Africa elect the regional director and the Regional Committee for Africa approves regional strategies.
What is remarkable about the core mission, goals and objectives of the AU/AUC, the ADB and the WHO Africa Region is the commitment to regional integration of operations; the sharing of scarce resources in operational areas; and, the expansion of international collaborative partnerships. These three institutions enjoy strong technical leadership and are deliberatively consultative in relationships with member states.
The pillars of economic integration in Africa are the regional economic communities. The regional economic communities (RECs) are located in the five regions of the continent. These RECs focus on regional integration issues, free trade blocs, custom unions and possible common currency. Some of the RECs are venturing into common transportation corridors and other infrastructure issues.
Despite the admirable role of continental institutions and RECs in Africa, a lot more work needs to be done to better position Africa to meet its development needs. Today, it is easier for an American, Briton, German or French to travel throughout Africa than for the national of an African country to move across African nations. Movement of goods and services endure unnecessary delays in multiple borders and jurisdictions in the continent. Africa’s common position on trade continues to evolve. Few private banking institutions in the continent have the capital and necessary experience to finance multiple projects in multiple regions of the continent. There are few hospitals and health centers of international repute in the continent. Roads that connect various regions in the continent are yet to materialize. Airlines that traverse the five regions of the continent on a regular basis are yet to be established. Africans rarely speak with one voice in international forums or rarely present consensus candidates for international leadership positions. The relationship between Africa and its Diaspora is very much a work in progress.
The ongoing global financial crisis has thrown another curve ball to developing nations. As noted by Donald Kaberuka, the President of the ADB during his recent swearing in ceremony for a second five year term in office, Africa must be prepared for a sustained era of a “world of tight budgets, tough budgetary choices, from our traditional partners.” The ADB boss publicly voiced what is now a recognized fact: Western, traditionally rich donor countries have been fundamentally hit by the recent global financial crisis and a new crop of political and economic leaders are emerging in these countries intent on focusing on domestic economic issues. In the near future, Africa must brace for an international development era of inward looking solutions and inward looking resourcefulness as it tackles its development challenges.
A fundamental restructuring of the international development paradigm is quietly afoot from the ravages of the current global financial crises. Only the naïve will be caught unawares or flat footed. Africa needs to maximize its potentials, including establishing close linkages with all its institutions to become more resilient as it strives to meet development challenges.
Integrating Continental and Regional Institutions in Africa
The AUC, ADB and ECA have made inroads on integrated infrastructure planning, climate change and the G-20 issues at the highest levels. Progress on these issues are encouraging. However, the quest for integrating continental and regional institutions should occur at four important levels.
First, political leaders at the heads of state and heads of government levels should work directly on integrating continental and regional institutions in Africa. In view of the quiet but ongoing realignment of international development priorities in rich donor countries, Africa leaders during the next two AU summits should provide specific mandates on how continental and regional institutions can harmonize their activities, consolidate their programs and provide tangible, measurable benefits to target populations. It is unthinkable that governing boards of African continental institutions and RECs will shun direct mandates from African Heads of State and Governments. For example, African leaders can mandate the AUC, the ADB, the ECA and the RECs to develop the blueprint and source for funds on how to create a common custom union for Africa that allows the legitimate, freer movement of goods and services. Today, multiple African countries are not only geographically landlocked but their citizens, goods in these countries and potentially marketable services are also landlocked in a rapidly globalizing world. It is difficult to envisage sustainable development in Africa with restricted movement of people, goods and services.
Second, integrated infrastructure projects should move quickly from planning to implementation phases in Africa as the foundation stone for rapid economic development. Implementation of regional transportation corridor infrastructure projects should begin and be completed as soon as possible to facilitate the free flow of goods and services across Africa. Regional water and sanitation projects, rural electrification projects, creation of trade zones and grassroots agriculture projects should move from the drawing board to visible construction phases. Efforts to leapfrog Africa into the latest information technology systems should also occur simultaneously with basic infrastructure support projects.
Third, continental and regional institutions should have the necessary skill sets to provide technical assistance to member states upon request. Multiple poor African countries are unlikely to have the necessary resources to meet the health, education, social development and legal needs of their citizens. African institutions should have enough permanent and consultant-on-roster skilled staff to provide technical assistance to member states. Sharing of technical resources is one area where African continental and RECs can achieve immediate integration results. For example, in post conflict situations, skilled staff from African institutions can work together as one unit to tackle public safety and human development needs of the target population.
Finally, Africa’s continental and regional institutions are best suited at this time to engage Africans in the Diaspora. As an individual who has worked on Africa Diaspora issues for the last dozen years, I know that the political organization of Africans in the Diaspora is still some years away. However, the ground is fertile for comprehensive technical collaboration and engagement between Africans and their brethren in the Diaspora. Africa Diaspora professional organizations are alive and well and yearning for meaningful collaborative projects in the continent. African continental institutions and RECs should establish viable Africa Diaspora investment and technical funds to facilitate the deployment and work of Africa Diaspora professionals in the continent.
By Dr. Chinua Akukwe
Executive Chairman of the African Union Africa Diaspora Health Initiative, Washington, DC. and author of five books on health and development issues in Africa.