Africa can pull herself out of quagmire

IN Africa, there is urgent need for a strong replenishment of the African Development Fund — the African Development Bank (AfDB)’s concessional lending arm that supports low-income African countries.

The fund has connected 15,5 million people to electricity and supported 74 million people with improved agriculture.

It has provided 50 million people with access to transport; built 8 700km of roads and provided 42 million people with upgraded water and sanitation facilities.

There are three lessons to be learnt for Africa from the challenges Africa is facing.

First, the continent can no longer leave the health security of its people to the benevolence of others.

Second, Africa must look at health investments differently, and make the development of a health defence system a priority — investing in quality health infrastructure as a must.

Third, economies — which were already turning around — must create fiscal space to deal with debt challenges.

Following up on the global climate summit, COP26, held in Glasgow last November, it is important for developed countries to make good on their promise to provide Africa with the US$100 billion a year required for climate adaptation.

Our challenge is adaptation because we didn’t cause the problem. In Africa, we are adapting to climate change.

AfDB, together with its partner the Global Centre for Adaptation, are mobilising US$25 billion to support climate adaptation in Africa.

The technology sector is a very important driver for growth in Africa and prospects for young people on the continent.

Africa’s youth are one of its greatest assets.