Recovery in Africa
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Recovery in Africa: Japanese cooperation ready to give the starting signal
JICA Symposium in South Africa © JICA
Text by: JICA
7 mins
The dissipation of the Covid-19 crisis represents a new era for free trade and economic integration in Africa.
The key to success, according to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is for Africans to chart their own course in partnership with the international community.
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"
Regional integration is key to the continent's future resilience
," JICA Senior Vice President Toshiyuki Nakamura said at a high-level congress in Johannesburg on June 21.
Speakers from JICA, the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) discussed how to revive economic integration on the continent after the pandemic, which has interrupted the development ambitions of African nations.
This congress was part of the preparation for the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8), which will be held on August 27 and 28.
Established in 1993, TICAD is Japan's flagship initiative to support growth in Africa.
Organized in partnership with the African Union Commission, the United Nations, UNDP and the World Bank, this public forum will bring together African countries, international organizations, private companies and civil society for the development of Africa.
The Japanese-led cooperation, as presented by JICA at the conference, is aimed at accelerating Africa's recovery through infrastructure development and policy reforms, in order to achieve the goals set out in Africa's Agenda 2063. the African Union.
In his opening speech, Norio Maruyama, Japanese Ambassador to South Africa, emphasized the two pillars of Japanese investment in Africa: "Ownership and partnership".
According to Toshiyuki Nakamura, it is the fact of having moved from aid to ownership and partnership, which has enabled the continent to become attractive to the markets, in particular by inviting private and public capital.
Africa, a free trade heavyweight in the making
The congress discussed the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which entered into force in May 2019, which is expected to reshape international trade.
The agreement, which covers most African Union (AU) countries, connects 1.3 billion people and has the potential to lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty, according to the World Bank.
"
In the post-crisis world, Africa must have a place at the table
," said George Kararach, chief economist at the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Ayodele Odusola, director of the strategy and analysis team of the UNDP regional office for Africa, echoed the same sentiment, saying that it was time for Africa to rethink trade: "
African countries do not consume what they produce and they don't produce what they consume. We really need to think about all of that.
"
The AfCFTA will be the largest free trade area in the world in terms of the number of member countries.
Its completion will feature multi-million dollar infrastructure projects and multilateral agreements.
Its success will depend on the resilience of institutions and policies, said Ayodele Odusola.
Toshiyuki Nakamura echoed this view, noting that the way forward will have to feature "
increasing productivity and improving the business environment in order to attract investment.
" also stressed the fundamental importance of investing in quality infrastructure, an area in which JICA actively supports the continent, under the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PDIA), and strengthening start-ups and small businesses.
Streamlined customs procedures - a key to Africa's prosperity
One-stop border posts (OSBPs) are at the heart of trade facilitation.
They reduce the time and cost of moving people and goods across borders by putting customs procedures under one roof.
Nearly 120 such posts are in operation in Africa, 14 of which are supported by JICA.
At the June 21 Congress, AUDA-NEPAD launched the third edition of the OSBP Reference Guide.
This operational guide for OSBPs, jointly produced by JICA and AUDA-NEPAD, has become an invaluable resource for promoting free trade in Africa.
3rd edition of the One-Stop Border Post Sourcebook © JICA
“
The third edition comes at an important time for us
,” said Towela Nyirenda Jere, Head of Economic Integration Division at AUDA-NEPAD.
“
We have yet to take full advantage of the economies of scale compared to what greater market integration can normally deliver. In this context, OSBPs are essential to strengthen interconnectivity and deepen market integration regional.
”
TICAD 8 - an integrated approach to solving Africa's challenges
During TICAD 8 this August, public and private stakeholders will reflect on the unprecedented downturn in the African economy resulting from Covid-19 and global financial instability.
Being a developing continent, Africa is particularly vulnerable to financial fluctuations in foreign markets, geopolitical and health crises.
Since its inception, TICAD has emphasized the importance of African ownership in the development process and encouraged concerted efforts to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063, the African Union's plan "to achieve inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development".
“
When we talk about economic integration, we also need to consider health, education, social networks and other factors. We need an integrated approach. This is the basic concept of TICAD
“explained Toshiyuki Nakamura.
Over the years, JICA has contributed to the continent's economy, society, peace and stability.
Its offices, which are in 31 African countries, strive to diversify industries, create jobs and promote innovation and investment.
Among JICA's flagship achievements is the development of corridors that have contributed to robust and inclusive economic growth in targeted regions in North, West and Southeast Africa by effectively combining infrastructural, institutional, industrial development and social as part of a long-term plan.
In all of these activities, JICA's approach has always been centered on empowering African people to take charge of their own future.
TICAD 8 will provide an opportunity not only to strengthen the international community's partnership with Africa, but also to enhance Africa's role and influence in the world.
“
TICAD has really given us an opportunity
,” said Ayodele Odusola.
"
This is one of the few win-win partnerships on the continent
. "
Recovery in Africa: Japanese cooperation ready to give the starting signal
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To learn more about JICA projects and actions: www.jica.go.jp/english/index.html
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