Africa on right trajectory on development

Africa has come a long way. Despite the optimism that greeted the dawn of independence championed by the OAU, 10 years later Africa began to slide into 'the lost decades'.

The 1980s and 1990s were characterised by economic stagnation, poverty, hunger and dictatorships as well as by violent conflicts in Somalia, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Great Lakes as epitomised by the genocide in Rwanda.

This period gave rise to Afro-pessimism justified in terms of diseases, civil wars, famine, and corruption that ravaged Africa. Around this time, a world famous publication described Africa as a lost cause, a hopeless continent.

Indeed, the interest of the world shifted from the continent to the Eastern European economies then transiting to free markets and also to the then emerging dynamic economies of South East Asia.

Yet rarely is a situation so irredeemable. In retrospect, these tumultuous times generated serious conversations nationally and within the OAU which, at length, informed the political and economic transformation we are witnessing. Today, Africa is being hailed as the rising continent.

Economies are booming, peace prevails in most countries, democratization has taken root, and foreign investors are all over Africa looking for opportunities.

Challenges remain, however. The continent remains fragmented, poverty and disease still abound, jobs are not being created fast enough, and there are skills and infrastructure gaps to address.

Moreover, pockets of violent conflict persist while terrorism is threatening to not only erode the progress that has been made but to also abort the dream of the African renaissance.

There is therefore considerably much that remains to be done to sustain the process of transformation. It is encouraging that the AU has risen to the occasion and is providing leadership.

In particular, the development and adoption of Agenda 2063, which is Africa's blue print for sustainable development in the next 50 years, is a remarkable step forward.

The Agenda 2063 has outlined necessary steps to realising the African renaissance.

First, the integration of the continent must be accelerated. The level of intra-African trade remains the smallest compared to intra-regional trade in other parts of the world. With must move with a sense of urgency to put in place the necessary measures that will facilitate the free movement of peoples and goods.

Integration will also strengthen Africa's voice and enhance bargaining power at the global stage. Africa needs the world, as the world needs Africa.

Secondly, African countries need to ensure economic sustainability, especially as regards infrastructure and skills base. African countries everywhere are constrained by limited availability of energy, high transport costs and limited connectivity. We need to improve cross-border infrastructure particularly transport corridors, maritime ports that are efficient, railways, airports and broadband connectivity.

With respect to skills, Africa has the youngest population in the world with a lot of energy, creativity and talent. Investment in their education and training, more particularly in science, technology, research, and innovation, remains critical for Africa's modernization and development.

Finally, African countries must ensure equitable development. Economic growth that leaves out large sections of the populace is a recipe for conflict. A sense of fairness and equity generates a strong basis for political legitimacy.

We must therefore deliberately move in the direction of creating stakeholder economies in which everyone has a stake. This will also help in stemming radicalization and terrorism that feeds on economic discontent.