Abstract
In view of the general observation that emerging opportunities exist for developing economies in the aftermath of the COVID-19 global pandemic, despite its many health, safety, economic, social and environmental realities, this paper examines how Africa could translate the challenges of the crisis into positive development opportunities from three interrelated salient angles: first is how to consolidate on innovation for local production and reinforce intra-African trade; the second is strengthening innovation for more resilient policies that address youth employment and skills development for regional and global competitiveness; and third, refocusing the digital and green economies, including the strengths of artificial intelligence, big data, e-commerce and the continuity of related environmental objectives. Using the “systems approach”, it proposes three quaternal models, advocating for policy coherence as optimal for development deliverables. This is not only beneficial for helping Africa out of the crisis, but could also meet some novel and future-oriented objectives of capacity building for managing complexities as purported in current global and regional development Agendas 2030 and 2063, as well as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) proposals.
Highlights
Apart from the health and safety realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, African countries face other socio-economic challenges linked to disruptions in the global supply chain
While it initially appears that Africa may cope better than any other regions of the world from the health-related fatalities, there exist some economic consequences, those linked to the disruption in the global supply chains – which spurs a need to have forward looking proposals towards post COVID-19 era to counter the economic effects of such disruption and ISSN: 2668-7798 www.techniumscience.com perhaps leverage for future economic and social progress
This paper argues for three intertwining strategic recommendations in this regard, namely: innovation for local production in the transformative industries and alternative to importations, starting from those products directly related to coping with the health crisis itself as well as the long-term objectives that will intensify intra-African trade; fostering youth employment and skills development; and development of the digital and green economies
Summary
Apart from the health and safety realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, African countries face other socio-economic challenges linked to disruptions in the global supply chain. While it initially appears that Africa may cope better than any other regions of the world from the health-related fatalities, there exist some economic consequences, those linked to the disruption in the global supply chains – which spurs a need to have forward looking proposals towards post COVID-19 era to counter the economic effects of such disruption and. This paper argues for three intertwining strategic recommendations in this regard, namely: innovation for local production in the transformative industries and alternative to importations, starting from those products directly related to coping with the health crisis itself as well as the long-term objectives that will intensify intra-African trade; fostering youth employment and skills development; and development of the digital and green economies.
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