News
tralac’s Daily News selection: 15 September 2015
The selection: Tuesday, 15 September
Forthcoming: UNECA/AU Dialogue on Conflict and Development
The UNECA will be hosting a High Level Policy Dialogue on Conflict and Development in Africa, in Accra, from 1-2 October 2015. At the request of the African Union, the Capacity Development Division of ECA, prepared three regional studies on the costs and consequences of conflict on development in the Sahel, Great Lakes, and the Horn of Africa. The three landmark regional studies focused on the costs and consequences of conflict on development in the Sahel, Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa region. The key messages and recommendations arising from the dialogue will feed into the processes of the African Union and other key regional organizations and provide the basis on which to design comprehensive strategies and policy responses for stakeholders.
In preparation: Political economy analyses of the African Union and regional economic communities in Africa (ecdpm), The first 'State of the IGAD Region' report (@meharitaddele)
Osinbajo calls for closer ties between AU and RECs (ThisDay)
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said on Monday if the African Union must deliver on the goals set out in the Constitutive Act, closer cooperation and synergy must be established with Regional Economic Communities. According to him, it is one requirement that is absolutely imperative. Osinbajo noted that Nigeria had always advocated for the proper conception and implementation of closer cooperation and collaboration between the AU and the RECs.
“With about the most successful example of regional cooperation in ECOWAS, we have always believed that the position of the RECs as the basis of our future development is long assured and no chance should be missed to further strengthen it. The Abuja retreat is timely as it is being convened in a season of conflicts on the continent. Today on an embarrassingly regular basis there is a fresh conflict situation, or a relapse of post-conflict situations. At the same time terrorism and violent extremism present fresh problems, including large numbers of IDPs and refugees going across the borders of neighbouring countries. The sheer variety and complexity of these challenges oblige the the PSC and the RECs to more effectively coordinate and harmonise their efforts in a complementary manner in order to address them more effectively,” the vice-president said.
Economic Community of Central African States: CAADP implementation status results report (World Bank)
In the long term, especially due to ECCAS current funding issues from member states and in the absence of a funding mechanism such as the CTF or other reliable funding sources, ECCAS faces a number of key challenges. These include: (i) a long term vision and internal resource mobilization for staffing and capacity building to carry forward the region’s agriculture agenda, especially in the context of the Malabo Declaration and country engagement in advancing the CAADP; (ii) sustainability of investments made at ECCAS, including institutional capacity building, retention of the technical staff capacity which has been built-up, as well as other investments made during the course of implementation of the CTF; and (iii) further development and capacity strengthening to implement and monitor the various regional agriculture policies and anticipated agriculture investment projects.
COMESA launches seed committee (COMESA)
The COMESA Seed Committee, whose aim is to strengthen regional cooperation in the agricultural sector, improve distribution of quality seed and achieve food security, was launched in Lusaka, Zambia on 10 September 2015. Among the key functions of the committee is the formulation of the necessary technical guidelines and procedures for the operation of the COMESA seed system and developing crop-specific requirements. The committee will be guided by the COMESA Harmonization Implementation Plan whose overall goal is to implement the gazetted COMESA Seed Trade Harmonization Regulations.
Liberia validates Charter on food crises prevention, management (In Profile Daily)
Several government ministries and international stakeholders have ended a two-day validation and assessment of the Charter to prevent and manage food crises in Liberia. Sponsored by ECOWAS and other UN partners, the workshop reviewed the 2010 revised Charter's regional and national processes including a desk review of Liberia's food and nutrition survey that exposed the country's capacity to establish a national framework on food insecurity.
Turn energy plans into action, ECOWAS countries told (AfDB)
“The finalisation of the sustainable energy plans is only the beginning of a long journey as the focus has to shift now decisively towards implementation and mobilization of the required investments to turn these plans into reality. This will help to improve living conditions, create opportunities, jobs and inclusive and sustainable growth for all citizens in West Africa,” said Alex Rugamba, the Bank’s Director for Energy, Environment and Climate Change. Rugamba was speaking at the opening of the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Policy and Investment High Level Forum in Abidjan on September 14.
WAIFEM and the quest for new economic models for Nigeria, West Africa (Vanguard)
Beira Terminal poised to boost SADC energy chain (The Herald)
The recent launch of the Beira Terminal is poised to strategically boost the energy supply chain in the SADC region. “We’ve tested railway capabilities from Beira to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe and to Francistown in Botswana, which was very successful. In essence this means that we can take some pressure off of our Durban Refinery and supply Botswana and Zimbabwe directly from our new depot,” said Mr Drikus Kotze, General Manager of Engen’s International Business Division.
SA-AGOA: Zuma urged to intervene (Business Report)
US Senators Chris Coons and Johnny Isakson have again written to President Jacob Zuma, urging him to open up the South African market to US poultry “expeditiously” to avoid South Africa losing lucrative export benefits to the US. Coons of Delaware and Isakson of Georgia both represent major poultry-producing states. They wrote their latest urgent appeal to Zuma as agricultural and trade officials from the US and SA were meeting in Pretoria to try to resolve the protracted dispute over US meat imports. Dr Mark Davidson, also of the USDA, said: “We have 100 trading partners around the world that have taken no action against the US in regard to poultry trade and we have 38 partners who have implemented regionalisation. It is a worldwide standard that we have implemented, which has enabled us to safely trade poultry and poultry products.” [Access copy of the letter to Pres Zuma]
South African home affairs minister to discuss bilateral issues in Lesotho (StarAfrica)
The South African Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba is scheduled to pay a two- day visit to Lesotho from September 21, APA learns here on Monday. The Lesotho Minister of Home Affairs Lekhetho Rakuoane said on Monday that he and his South African counterpart are going to discuss the problems that the Basotho living or working in South Africa are constantly experiencing. Rakuoane said since Lesotho is landlocked by South Africa, they want the Basotho to be given preferential treatment as compared to citizens of other SADC countries.
Rift Valley Railways gains support from Egyptian government officials (AMEinfo)
The one-day conference, 'Rift Valley Railways: an integrated logistics solution in East Africa', highlighted the competitive advantages of using rail as the most efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly mode of transporting goods in East Africa and introduced Rift Valley Railways (RVR) as a unique door-to-door transportation and customs-clearance service provider that can help local exporters from Egypt, Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan tap into new markets and grow the volume of intra-regional trade.
Mzembi retains UNWTO Africa chair (NewsDay)
Tourism minister Walter Mzembi has been overwhelmingly re-elected chairperson of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Commission for Africa with a call to build a just society in which “humanity co-exist with nature”. Cameroonian and Ivory Coast Tourism ministers became the new Africa vice-chairpersons. Mzembi’s re-election enhances his chances to land the powerful position of secretary-general of the UNWTO when the organisation’s six regions namely — Africa, the Americas, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia — vote to replace incumbent Taleb Rifai in China in 2017. He becomes a member of the UNWTO executive council for the next two years.
Rwanda Poverty Profile Report: results of EICV 4 (Institute of Statistics)
This report provides an update on the level of poverty based on 2013/14 Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV4) focusing on poverty as measured in consumption terms. The report also highlights other trend dimensions of living conditions captured in other surveys that complement and provide a holistic understanding of poverty and living conditions. Rwanda’s economy has been growing steadily at about 8% since 2001 with GDP per capita more than tripling from US$ 211 in 2001 to US$ 718 in 2014. Food crop production growth was more than twice that of population growth between 2007 and 2014. [Various downloads available]
Financial reform, institutional investors and sustainable development (UNEP)
Only days ahead of the historic summit to adopt the SDGs, a new UN study calls on regulators to implement proactive policies that build institutional investment frameworks, institutions and culture with sustainability at their core. "Financial Reform, Institutional Investors and Sustainable Development: A review of current policy initiatives and proposals for further progress" was produced by the United Nations Environment Programme Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System and the California Public Employees' Retirement System. Nick Robins, Co-Director, UNEP Inquiry, said: "A package of measures is needed to deliver the full sustainability potential of institutional investors. Disclosure is important, but without effective governance frameworks and incentives, this will not drive sufficient change."
The specific action lines where UNCTAD can and should make maximum contributions for the post-2015 era are four fold: building productive capacity to transform economies; more effective States and more efficient markets; tackling vulnerabilities, building resilience; strengthening multilateralism, finding common solutions. For these action lines to be transformative, and to contribute substantially to our pursuit for the sustainable development goals, they need to be pursued in tandem, in a coherent manner, and operate at all three levels of governance: national, regional and international. [Access Session documentation]
Access to financial services as a driver for the post-2015 development agenda (UNCTAD)
Insights from Brazil for skills development in rapidly transforming African countries (World Bank Blogs)
Brazil’s experience can yield valuable insights for newly industrializing economies. On the sidelines of the WorldSkills Competition, the World Bank facilitated a “South-South” knowledge sharing event for African countries that attracted delegates from Mali, Rwanda, Mozambique, Cameroon, and Nigeria. Participants were particularly interested in the strengths and challenges within Brazil’s TVET system as they develop solutions to serve growing numbers of youth. African delegates noted three main takeaways from the Brazilian TVET system:
Mine closures will slow Zambian growth, rating agency Moody's says (Reuters)
African exporters are staring at $15 oil forecasts, but they keep pumping — here's why (M&G Africa)
It’s time to ride the blue economy (Business Day)
Maritime security likely to be hot topic at India-Africa summit (The Financial Express)
The Trans-Pacific Partnership and the changing world of international trade: a Q&A with Mark Wu (Harvard Law)
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This post has been sourced on behalf of tralac and disseminated to enhance trade policy knowledge and debate. It is distributed to over 300 recipients across Africa and internationally, serving in the AU, RECS, national government trade departments and research and development agencies. Your feedback is most welcome. Any suggestions that our recipients might have of items for inclusion are most welcome. Richard Humphries (Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Twitter: @richardhumphri1)
