Africa's Glitzy Growth Numbers Mask Empty Plates

Jun 1 , 2024


[ssba-buttons]

In a compelling address, Akinwumi Adesina (PhD), president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, made a striking point: people do not eat GDP. His argument was anchored on the crucial need to enhance productivity within Africa's economies as a vital component for growth. Although current growth rate, averaging 3.7pc, is impressive compared to other regions, it is insufficient to drive structural transformation. The President noted the structural constraints on energy and agriculture as vital areas requiring investments. The 'African Economic Outlook report' for 2024 launched last week,  discovered that despite a series of overlapping exogenous shocks, including the prolonged impacts of geopolitical tensions, climate change, and internal conflicts, African economies “displayed a remarkable ability to sustain growth,” albeit at a decelerated pace. However, projections for 2024-25 are optimistic. Expected growth rates will rise to 4.3pc in 2025, driven by improved global economic conditions and policy implementations across the continent. Close to 41 countries, including Ethiopia, are anticipated to exhibit higher growth rates this year than last year, and 15 are expected to exceed five percent growth. However, the report finds the pace of structural transformation remains uneven and slow, with traditional sectors such as agriculture still dominating employment despite lower productivity levels than other sectors. The agricultural sector, employing 42pc of Africa's workforce, remains significantly less productive, demanding targeted policy interventions to enhance productivity and drive sustainable economic development, the report stated. "Africa needs consistent growth of seven to 10pc annually for about 40 years to break the cycle of poverty," Akinwumi said.


Radar

US Renews National Emergency, Sanctions on Ethiopia

The United States has extended the national emergency and sanctions on Ethiopia for another year under the African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA). Signed by President Donald J. Trump, the measure was first declared on September 17, 2021, through an executive order citing the conflict in northern region of the country as an "unusual and extraordinary" threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy. The extension, effective until September 17, 2026, keeps in place restrictions targeti...


Radar

Rockefeller Pitches Clean Cooking to Curb School Meal Emissions

A recent study has revealed the staggering environmental toll of school feeding programs. A single school serving 400 students can burn through the equivalent of 56 hectares of forest each year to fuel cooking. The Rockefeller Foundation flagged the health risks too, with most cooks, predominantly women, breathing smoke levels ten times higher than the World Health Organisation's safe limit. "If every school meal transitioned to clean cooking with electricity and solar, the emissions saved wo...


Radar

Sun-Powered Grid Brings Light to Qunbi District

A new 600KW solar mini-grid in East Hararge'sQunbi district has connected 2,200 households to electricity, marking a milestone in the recent rural electrification push. Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) laid seven kilometres of medium-voltage and 10 kilometres of low-voltage lines, installing four transformers to reach communities long cut off from power. Customers cover only meter and installation costs before accessing the service. The project is part of the national strategy to expand energ...