Africa’s strength in the face of the global economic crisis continues to surprise, and there are several reasons for it. African governments have, in fact, incorporated the fact that trade policies, enhancing the development of the private sector, tend to minimize the impact on African economies in the short term as well as market disruptions in the long-term.
The annual report entitled “Global Enabling Trade Index” gives Mauritius a score of 4.7 points for 2010, a rating that places the country among the African countries with the best benefits from the international trade. Mauritius is at the 33rd place out of 125 countries before Botswana (53rd), Namibia (70th), South Africa (72nd) and Malawi (83) in the rankings for sub-Saharan Africa.
Free trade policies foster economic development in Africa
Strengthening economic and social cooperation between the Congo Brazzaville and the European Union
The political dialogue Congo-EU, which started on 12 May, allowed members of the Congolese Government to address issues of economic and financial governance.
For the Congo, this partnership involves achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the progress made in the context of the initiative on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), forest governance and the business climate in the fight against corruption.
Success in African agriculture: African cashew nut is making a comeback at the global market
Africa has to create its place on the market for nuts, especially cashew, pecan and macadamia nuts. This market is a booming thanks to the rising demand in Asia and the Middle East. In this context, Africa can become a major player not only in the production of dried fruit, but also in their processing.
The African continent already accounts for 38% of the cashew nut production but only 10% of the processed nuts. Today, many African farmers come together and develop channels of real processing. They actively contribute to the diversification of the African agriculture by opening opportunities for development.
Africa withstands the global economic crisis quite well
Most Sub-Saharan countries in Africa quickly recovered from the global financial crisis and economic growth in the region is expected to reach 5 ½% in 2011. The low-income countries should reach growth of 6 ½%.
Indeed, African countries had already found their growth rate before the crisis. The closer trade links with Asia played a significant role in the recovery of the region, mainly through commodity markets, coupled with sound management of public finances.
Sustained economic growth in the Congo Brazzaville
As part of the implementation of the road map by President Denis Sassou Nguesso, the country has recorded significant progress in recent months, whose efforts were praised by international institutions.
Thus, with a growth rate of 6.7% in 2009, of 9.5% in 2010 and, according to projections, of 6.7% in 2011, the Congo stands out in all the Monetary and Economic Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), whose average growth rate was 4.2% in 2010 (against 1.8% in 2009) and is expected to reach 5.2% in 2011. This is a nice performance when compared to the average growth in sub-Saharan Africa (4.9% in 2010, and according to the forecasts, 5.5% in 2011).
African women are becoming more involved in the political sector
In Africa, access to positions of political responsibility remains an exception for female politicians. But this is changing. In 2006, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the first woman elected at the head of a country: Liberia.
Today, women candidates are increasing and the next African elections will open new perspectives to all who have pledged to stir things up in Africa.
Democratization of access to clean water in Africa
Economic growth, debt relief, and increasing political stability have opened up new opportunities for many African countries to take charge of their water supply and sanitation sectors and to develop sustainable service delivery pathways.
Many low-income countries now have an unprecedented opportunity to dramatically reduce the number of people without access to water source by defining new ways of viable provision by 2015, according to a new report published by the Water and Sanitation Programme from the World Bank.
The Congo Brazzaville on the road to biofuels
Being an oil and natural gas producer, the Congo Brazzaville should develop its biofuel production. To reduce the dependence of the Congolese economy vis-à-vis the oil and continue its policy of diversification, the Republic of Congo has made many industrialization efforts.
The government has decided to create a true agro-industry sector in order to produce biofuel. From growing palm oil to the processing it into biofuels, the country is now ready to venture into green energy.
Successes in African agriculture: cereal production pulls up the economy
Africa's cereal production (maize, millet, sorghum and rice) increased from some 16 million tonnes in 1980 to about 52 million tonnes in 2008. In general, the rate of increase of agricultural productivity estimated at about 4% is higher than that of the population, estimated at 2.6%.
In its report "Global Economic Prospects", the World Bank argues that improved agricultural productivity is one of the causes of the rebound in economic growth in Africa.
The success story of African footballers
Dozens of African footballers are evolving in the various European championships. Their presence is an added value for their clubs. The players from the continent have long contributed to the success of regional and national teams in Europe.
In their time, famous players like Abedi Pele, George Weah and Roger Milla showed the world that Africa was full of talent. Today, Samuel Eto'o, Didier Drogba, Moussa Sow, Emmanuel Adebayor are the pride of an entire continent.
The Congo sees recovery of its air transport industry
Air Congo should soon resume its flights in the skies of the Congo Brazzaville. The company has signed a trade agreement with Civil Avic International, a China's import-export company, regarding aviation equipment, which should enable the Congo to benefit from a maintenance service on its MA60 aircraft type. New aircraft should join the Congolese fleet by February 2012.
In parallel, the Republic of Congo and Singapore will cooperate in the aviation field in order to develop their trade.
Solidarity: Africa is mobilizing to help victims of drought
While China gave more than $ 60 million to the populations of the Horn of Africa, which is plagued by famine, Africa has mobilized more than 350 million. Given the extent of drought in eastern Africa, the African Union conference, which took place on 25 August in Addis Ababa, brought together 351.7 million dollars in cash and 28 million in kind. This is an exemplary African solidarity when we know that many donor states are faced with many economic difficulties.
It is the African Development Bank that will provide on its own $ 300 million by 2015 to fund projects of medium and long term in order to improve the living conditions of the affected populations.
