Last week saw the release of the 2012 Africa Progress Report, the annual report from the Africa Progress Panel. The report warns that Africa’s strong economic growth rate – which is expected to grow beyond 5% over the next two years – is at risk from rising inequality and the marginalization of whole sections of society.
Despite Africa having seven of the world’s fastest-growing economies, and 70% of Africa’s population living in countries that have averaged economic growth rates in excess of 4% over the last decade, most African countries are still not on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals for 2015. As the report highlights, slow areas of progress include child nutrition, child survival, maternal health, and education.
Kofi Annan, Chair of the Africa Progress Panel, states in the report that:
“With the 2012 deadline for the MDGs fast approaching, we urge every government in Africa to draw up a plan of action for a “big push” towards the targets.”
The Panel’s report identifies a range of challenges demanding urgent action from governments, including:
Youth employment: Africa youth population (15-24 year olds) will rise from 133 million at the start of the century to 246 million by 2020, requiring a further 74 million jobs over the next decade just to prevent you unemployment from rising. The report sets out an agenda for raising skills and generating rural jobs through off-farm employment.
Smallholder agriculture: Addressing the urgent need to raise the productivity of smallholder agriculture, the report cautions that Africa will remain vulnerable to a food security crisis. It highlights ‘land grabs’ by foreign investors and speculators as an urgent threat and urges African government to consider stronger regulation.
Global economic governance and aid: The report highlights that Africa has little voice in the areas of trade, finance and development assistance and adds that aid remains crucial and African governments and development partners must delver on their commitments.
The report uses an array of visuals to help convey the key messages. This includes infographics to show political, economic and social successes and setback for Africa. The overall message though is positive, and as Kofi Anan says:
“Africa is on its way to becoming a preferred investment destination, a potential pole of economic growth, and a place of immense innovation and creativity. But there is also a long way to go – and Africa’s governments must as a matter of urgency turn their attention to those who are being left behind.”
A number of recommendations and policy actions are made for key priority areas, which include MDGS, agriculture and food security, education and skills, good governance and democracy, jobs, growth and trade, and resource mobilizations.
In the case of agriculture and food security, the overarching message is to put smallholder farmers and agriculture productivity at the centre of national food security and nutrition strategies, with a focus on women farmers. This resonates Farming First’s recommendations for policymakers in its Policy Papers on Nutrition Security and Rural Women. As we approach the G8 summit on May 18th and 19th, the report calls on leaders to renew and intensify their commitments to improving food security and nutrition in Africa.
A number of videos can also be seen online, which discuss the 2012 Africa Progress Panel Report.
Read more about agriculture and the MDGS on Farming First’s website.