Niamey (Niger), September 7, 2020 (ECA) – Experts from the ECA Sub-Regional Office for West Africa participated virtually in a capacity building workshop on generational economics and National Transfer Accounts (NTA) methodologies.
Organized in partnership with the Regional Consortium for Research in Generational Economics (CREG), the workshop, was aimed at strengthening the capacities of staff to undertake activities that would support member states to integrate demographic dividend issues in their development policies. Staff undertook training along five modules, namely: Theory of Generational Economics, Consumption Profiles, Labour Income Profiles, Life-Cycle Deficit and Demographic Dividend Profiles.
In her opening remarks the Director of the ECA SRO-WA, Ngone Diop, said that with a population of 391 million inhabitants in West Africa in 2019 that is estimated to double by 2100, i.e. to 781 million inhabitants, according to the lowest projections, there is a need to invest in the demographic transition arises with urgency.
“Capturing the demographic dividend in West Africa is essential for improving the living conditions of our populations through sustainable development and the structural transformation of our economies," she said.
She highlighted the need for staff to familiarise themselves with the handbook for measuring the generational economy, published in 2013 by the United Nations, citing its importance in the Subregional Office’s vision of investing in approaches aligned to demographic economics, adding that the ECA will do everything possible to institutionalize the NTA approach and support countries to institutionalize it.
Under the leadership of the ECA Executive Secretary, Ms. Vera Songwe and following the review of the Commission's strategic framework, Centres of Excellence on themes in line with Africa's aspirations for growth and prosperity were set up. The ECA SRO-WA hosts the Centre of Excellence on Demographic Dynamics for Development (DDD).
For more information, please contact: Tahirou Gouro, Communications Officer, ECA-SRO/WA,
Email: gouro2@un.org
Sub-Regional Office for West Africa
428 Avenue du Fleuve Niger
B.P. 744
Niamey, Niger
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