Africa's Critical Choices: A Call for a Pan-African Roadmap(Europa Regional Perspectives)

This volume examines contemporary Africa, a vast continent which, while entering the era of globalization, is also confronted by a number of issues, including the environment and climate change, demographics, trade issues, internal and external migration, education, economic Issues, governance, and the influence of other countries. Written by former Prime Minister of Niger and current Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, this book offers an overview of Africa, and looks to the next generation of leaders in the continent, aiming to offer a manifesto for future change.

Table of Contents:
Table of contents Preface 3 Introduction 7 Africa and globalisation 7 A slowdown ripe for reforms 8 Ten decisive years 8 Using our resources 9 The institutional key 9 The challenges 1. The spectre of recolonisation 13 Unfair control of capital? 15 Africans have the power 17 Civil society has to choose its battles well 19 2. Migration and trade: Africa has the choice of its tools 21 Time for understanding and action 21 Changes in migration 23 Asymmetrical exchanges and unfair competition 26 A wider diversification of partners is urgently needed 27 3. The threat of competing Africas 31 Rupture begets rupture 33 The frantic race for first place 34 The virtues of diversity 36 4. African states faced with climate change 39 Distress signals are coming from all over Africa 40 Adaptation offers an opportunity, butÉ 41 The mobilisation of technical and financial resources is indispensable 42 Restoring lands, a key to the re--establishment of communities 44 Halting climate--induced migration 46 A singular voice for Africa 47 5. Unique and uncontrolled demographics 49 Demographic growth is predictable and manageable 50 Prevention: the keys to success 51 The demographic dividend and the green revolution 53 Agricultural corridors: from the informal to the creation of shared wealth 54 6. African youth, between tradition and modernity 57 The digital multiplier effect 58 Tradition’s paradoxical compensatory effect 61 The keys 7. Reclaiming our intellectual sovereignty 65 A great disruption 66 Foreign investment and why we must be vigilant 67 Basic education, universities and research 67 Prioritise and measure the effectiveness of education 69 Cultural heritage, the pillar of our intellectual sovereignty 70 8. What pan--Africanism means 73 The path to collective emancipation 74 Integration, an ambitious political innovation 75 9. The regional perspective as a solution to national challenges 79 Security problems do not respect borders 80 The fragmentation of skills 82 10. Towards the co--production of public policy 85 On the subject of legislative systems 86 Citizen engagement and the question of appropriation 89 11. The informal sector, new technologies and industrialisation 93 Informality is a way of lifeÉ 94 É that remains brutal and dysfunctional 95 Towards a well--thought--out and smooth transition to the formal sector 96 New technologies: tools for employment, access to credit and taxation 98 What can governments do to accelerate this transition? 99 Information and communications technologies cannot do everything, but they can promote industrialisation 101 12. Ruralisation of cities or urbanisation of the countryside? 105 The continent’s urbanisation 105 African modalities of urbanisation 106 Rethinking the relationship between cities and rural areas 108 Spillover effects 109 The Òcall of the cityÓ is also the call of the countryside 110 13. The African farmer, an entrepreneur like any other 113 The obstacle of an outdated clichŽ 114 How to create agricultural employment 115 Alternative financing sources 117 The protection of farmers’ rights should be at the heart of future policies 118 Epilogue 121 Notes 125 Glossary 137 Index of names 139 General index 141 About the author 151

About the Author :
Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki is the Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Born in Niger in 1951, he obtained a Master’s Degree from the National School of Public Administration (Enap), Québec, Canada and a PhD in Administrative Sciences from University of Paris I, France. He first worked as professor of Public Administration and Management in Niger and Venezuela during the periods 1978-82 and 1985-87. From 2000 to 2004, Dr Mayaki was a guest Professor at the University of Paris XI, where he lectured on international relations and organizations; he also led research at the Research Centre on Europe and the Contemporary World within that University. His political career started in 1997, when, under the presidency of Ibrahim Bare Mainassara, he joined the cabinet of Niger as Minister in charge for African Integration and Co-operation, before holding the position of Foreign Minister. He was appointed Prime Minister of the country in November　1997. He remained in charge until January　2000. As Prime Minister of Niger, Ibrahim Assane Mayaki played a catalyst role in enhancing the social dialogue in the country. He initiated the creation of relevant technical committees in charge of the negotiations with social partners. He also created the Public Policy Analysis Circle (Cercle d’analyse des politiques publiques), a think tank focusing on health and education policy. He was appointed as NEPAD’s Chief Executive Officer in January　2009.