November 2019 – HeVanz International

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa has relied on bilateral agreements and multilateral platforms like COVAX to deliver vaccine doses. But these have proved far from adequate, demonstrating just how important it is for the continent to develop its pharmaceutical industry.

Landry Signé

How to Reap a Demographic Dividend

With its population growth continuing to outpace the expansion of education and employment possibilities for young people, Mozambique is still far from seizing its demographic opportunity. But given the right policy mix, the country can accelerate fertility decline and realize large and sustained economic dividends.

Andrea M. Wojnar

Downgrading Africa’s Development

During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 60% of African sovereigns have suffered credit-rating downgrades that risk exacerbating the immediate crisis. Ratings agencies should instead pursue a more balanced approach that accounts for increases in credit risk without undermining developing countries’ economic prospects.

Hippolyte Fofack

Deepening the EU-African Partnership

Although Africa still suffers some of the highest poverty rates in the world, the continent overall has massive potential to achieve broad-based, sustainable growth this century. International financial institutions must listen to forward-looking African leaders and adapt their investment strategies accordingly.

Werner Hoyer

A Better Normal for Africa

If Africa emerges from COVID-19 with old inequalities unaddressed and new opportunities unrealized, its policymakers will have failed. If they recognize that a better normal is possible, and act boldly to make it a reality, the continent will at least have something to show for the suffering of the past year.

Vera Songwe

Africa’s Human-Capital Imperative

Even though African governments were put on notice by the not-so-distant outbreaks of Ebola, most still have not made health and other human-capital investments central to their economic strategies. Until this changes, all of the continent's other aspirations will remain out of reach.

Carl Manlan

Africa’s “Model T” Business Model

The narrative about the challenges of doing business in Africa needs to be revised. Given the myriad products and services that remain unattainable, opportunities for market-creating innovation abound.

Efosa Ojomo

European and African Leaders Call for a New Deal for Africa

In one year, the pandemic has halted a quarter-century of steady economic growth in Africa, disrupted value chains, and caused an unprecedented increase in inequality and poverty. As a result, the entire world is at risk, because the global economy could lose one of its future drivers of growth.

Emmanuel Macron

A New Chance for Genetically Engineered Crops

German Agriculture Minister Julia Kloeckner has welcomed the possibility of looser restrictions on genetically engineered crops as an "overdue modernization" of EU policy. She is right – and it is not only Europe that needs to rethink its approach.

Wandile Sihlobo

Harnessing Africa’s Sovereign Wealth

Although African sovereign wealth funds have already shown their effectiveness, their potential remains largely untapped. By mobilizing and leveraging national savings, these funds not only can increase governments’ capacity to finance public policies, but also can help to attract much-needed foreign capital.

Akim Mohamed Daouda

Month: November 2019

Olaniyi Evans’ Research Portfolio