Make laws that promote economic growth: Mudenda

SPEAKER of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda yesterday encouraged African Parliaments to make laws that promote economic growth in order to break the cycle of poverty.

Addressing the inaugural Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments, (CoSAP) in Abuja, Nigeria yesterday, Mudenda said: “So far we need to give some accolades to the Speaker of Nigeria for having organised this workshop in which we are trying to strengthen the leadership of Parliament by trying to make sure that the Speakers of Parliament themselves become thought leaders in the promotion and development for laws that will promote an enabling environment for accelerated environments for development.”

He added: “As Parliament we must first make the laws that create an enabling environment for investment and industrialisation of our economies through science, technology and innovation.

“In that respect our universities must play a leading role in ensuring that they embrace science, technology and innovation through industrial hubs and innovation centres which Zimbabwe has already started.”

The CoSAP idea was mooted in 2020 with a mandate to facilitate increased deliberation, collaboration and co-operation between Speakers, heads of Parliaments and National Assemblies across Africa.

The overall agenda of the programme revolves around the need for Speakers and heads of Parliaments across the continent to collectively address challenges and to devise joint solutions and mobilise collective action to advance Africa's growth, stability and development.