African economy institutions. Africa Development Bank NEPAD UNECA

Course summary (African economy institutions)

- African economy and foreign trade.
- The African Development Bank
- Economic Commission for Africa UNECA.
- African Union AU.
- New Partnership for Africa's Development NEPAD.

Foreign trade of Africa. Economic Commission UNECA. African Union AU. New Partnership for Africa's Development

Growth in Africa, which had accelerated from 3.1 percent in 2000 to 6.1 percent in 2007, is now projected at only 1.7 percent for 2009 – down from the projected 6.4 percent, and far below the average growth rates of 5.3 percent posted by the continent’s best 15 performing countries for more than a decade. Following half a decade of above 5 per cent economic growth, the continent can expect only 2.8 per cent in 2009, less than half of the 5.7 per cent expected before the crisis. The creation of several institutions for economic integration in Africa in the last two decades was expected to boost intra-African trade in goods.

Analysis of trade destinations reveals that despite the low aggregate level of intra-African trade, such trade is very important for many African countries. At least 25 per cent of exports from 20 countries are absorbed by the regional market. Approximately 255 million people live in West Africa and 225 million in East Africa, the two most populous of Africa’s five regions, almost as many as in the entire U.S. Central Africa, the least populous, has over 100 million people. Southern Africa and North Africa each have about 150 million.

Example of the course (African economy institutions):

The private sector has driven the expansion of information and communications technology in recent years. Oil producer Nigeria has been increasing its dominance, and in 2007 accounted for well over half of total investment in resource rich countries.

Africa’s current particularly defective transport network prevents countries from being competitive, especially on the world market. In Africa, roads represent the most important means of transport, carrying nearly 90% of passengers and freight. Half of the countries on the continent are landlocked and the transport cost might represent as high as 77% of the value of exports.

The proportion of Africans living on less than $1.25 a day fell from 58 percent in 1996 to 50 percent in the first quarter of 2009. Africa is the second largest continent in the world. 1000 languages are spoken in Africa (40 of which have more than one million speakers).

The AFDB (African Development Bank Group) is a multilateral development bank whose shareholders include 53 African countries (regional member countries RMCs) and 24 non-African countries from the Americas, Asia, and Europe (non-regional member countries non-RMCs). In line with the medium-term Bank group strategy 2008-2012, the Bank continued to focus its operations on supporting infrastructure, private sector development, good governance, and regional integration.

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) was established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN's five regional commissions. ECA's mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member states, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development.

The African Union (AU) is Africa’s premier institution and principal organization for the promotion of accelerated socio-economic integration of the continent, which will lead to greater unity and solidarity between African countries and peoples. As a continental organization it focuses on the promotion of peace, security and stability on the continent as a prerequisite for the implementation of the development and integration agenda of the Union.

The NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) strategic framework document arises from a mandate given to the five initiating Heads of state (Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa) by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to develop an integrated socio-economic development framework for Africa. NEPAD is designed to address the current challenges facing the African continent.

AFRICA Scholarships Grants - Bourses d’études Afrique (FR)

Africa, Economy, African, Development, Bank, NEPAD, UNECA, foreign, Trade of Africa, Economic, Commission, UNECA, African Union, AU, New Partnership, Africa’s, Development, Master, international business