The Africa Roundtable May 2022: Recommendations for Action

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The Africa Recommendations May 2022: Recommendations for Action

 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION

The effects of climate change, the ongoing pandemic, and now the war in Ukraine – the world is facing major challenges. In Africa in particular, these external shocks are mutually reinforcing: the impacts of climate change and Covid-19 have triggered the worst economic crisis in decades. Currently, the war in Ukraine is causing a shortage of food and fertiliser, thus endangering agriculture and food security of many African countries.

Under the title Recovery, Preparedness & Resilience in Times of Crises, this year’s The Africa Roundtable convened in Berlin on 12 May. The overall message of the forum was to not succumb to despair in the face of multiple crises, but to use the urgency of the situation to take action. Crises can be catalysts for change and call for a reassessment of previous cooperation. Geopolitical shifts direct attention towards Africa as a strategic partner and demand the courage to take risks, to innovate, and to invest.

Based on the inputs and debates of the 35 high-level experts and decision-makers who were part of The Africa Roundtable, the following points are critical for future G7 and EU cooperation with Africa:

Fostering economic recovery

• Return on investment: the development of African economies also creates
  markets and consumers for G7 European countries
• Extraction and processing of raw materials as a win-win for local economic
  development and resource diversification for Europe
• Frontloaded investments, especially in crucial infrastructures
• Reducing trade barriers within Africa and between Africa and Europe

 

Strengthening financial inclusion

• Reallocation and redistribution of Special Drawing Rights to ensure liquidity
• Including middle-income countries in debt restructuring programmes and ensuring China’s participation in the debate
• Public safeguarding of private investments, e.g., through development banks
• Increasing tax revenue in African countries
• Facilitating access to private capital and adjusting risk assessments

 

Securing the basis

• Food security as a top priority: mobilise humanitarian aid and food programmes
• Keep markets and supply chains open, especially for wheat and fertilisers
• Sanctions against Russia need to take into account the vulnerable positions and food security situations of African states

 

Enabling representation

• Change of mindset: the donor-recipient narrative must be transformed into one of partnership – not just on paper
• AU as a permanent member of the G20, following the example of the EU
• Structural reforms of international financial institutions (e.g., World Bank, IMF) to foster economic development in the Global South

 

Protecting the environment

• Decarbonisation and carbon pricing mechanisms that ensure market access for African countries
• Promoting alternative energy sources in Africa: gas and hydrogen
• Investments in climate change adaptation and mitigation

 

Ensuring health and preparedness

• Expanding local health systems while strengthening the WHO through increased contributions
• Becoming faster: building multilateral rapid response teams
• Monitoring: better integration and data sharing of early warning systems
• Production of pharmaceuticals and equipment on-site through technology and knowledge transfers as well as private sector cooperation

 

 

 

 

Authors:

• Christine Mhundwa

More Publications on This Topic:

• The Africa Roundtable December 2022: Follow Up
• The Africa Roundtable 2021: Follow-Up
• Africa Roundtable May 2022: Policy Briefs