Background
Organized by the Economic Commission for Africa — Macroeconomic Policy Division
To be held at the United Nations Conference Centre, Addis Ababa
2 p.m. on 13 May 2018
Background
- The launch of the fifth edition of the African Governance Report (AGR-V), entitled Natural Resource Governance and Domestic Revenue Mobilization for Structural Transformation, will take place in Addis Ababa during the ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. AGR-V builds on the themes and recommendations of previous African Governance Reports, which place good economic governance at the centre of Africa’s structural transformation.
- Africa is endowed with diverse natural resources, including land and water for agriculture, forests for wood and non-wood forest products, and minerals, oil and gas for mining. The direct exploitation of natural resources has dominated economic activity, with benefits accruing to a few. The continent’s most common strategy of exporting commodities in their raw (non-valued added) form has led to disappointing results. Weaknesses prevail despite efforts to enhance sustainable inclusive growth, improve people’s well-being, and diversify economies in a transformative manner. Observable poor development outcomes reflect enduring challenges in natural resources governance.
- AGR-V examines efforts to improve the governance of Africa’s abundant natural resources, emphasizing the need to strengthen natural resource governance institutions and frameworks for the enhancement of domestic revenue mobilization, promotion of economic diversification, and, ultimately, structural transformation.
- The fifth edition of the Report is based on empirical evidence drawn from case studies of the following geographically diverse countries: Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Madagascar, Nigeria, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. The case studies address four broad issues: (1) resource-rich African countries and their inability to transform their economies; (2) institutions for improving the development impact of Africa’s natural resources; (3) development planning and African policy outcomes; and (4) raising of domestic revenue in Africa.
- Resultant key messages and policy recommendations are intended as input to ongoing efforts to strengthen Africa’s natural resources sector as a stakeholder and enabler of development on the continent.
Objective - The launch of AGR-V provides the context for presenting and disseminating the findings of the Report, with a view to generating ideas and identifying concrete entry points for implementing recommendations. In addition, the launch will be an opportunity to connect the community of potential contributors to the impact pathways of the Report.
Format - The launch will take the form of a panel discussion. It will commence with the presentation of the key findings and recommendations from the AGR-V Report, followed by interventions from a number of discussants after which the discussion will be open to participants.
Expected outcomes - The following outcomes are expected:
- Raised awareness on the status of linkages between natural resources governance, development planning and domestic resources mobilization;
- Enhanced understanding and appreciation of options and opportunities to proactively leverage the natural resources sector as an engine for structural transformation.
Target audience
The launch aims to attract a diverse group of practitioners and policymakers, including from Ministries of Finance, Economic Development and Planning; the United Nations System; the private sector; development partners; academia; and civil society.
For further information, please contact:
Francis Ikome
Chief, Governance and Public Sector Management Section
Macroeconomic Policy Division, ECA
Tel.: + 251 11 5443425
Email: ikome@un.org