Africa Cooperation Research Articles

India–Africa Co-Operation on Maritime Security: Need for Deeper Engagement

With approximately 74 million Sq Km and 20per cent of the global ocean, the Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean in the world. Alarmingly, this area has over the last two decades been plagued with unprecedented grave maritime security challenges. Dauntingly, these problems are dynamic and cross-jurisdictional. Consequently, combating them necessitates combined efforts among states. This article explores the efficacy of the maritime security architecture within the Indian Ocean rim countries, focusing on the co-operation between India and African states. The article draws out strengths and challenges from the current framework, ultimately offering recommendations for achieving a more productive trans-national approach.

Russia-South Africa Cooperation: from Missed Opportunities to Growth Potential

Russia-South Africa Cooperation: from Missed Opportunities to Growth Potential

Public health priorities for China–Africa cooperation

Public health priorities for China–Africa cooperation

China and India's development cooperation in Africa: the rise of southern powers

China and India's development cooperation in Africa: the rise of southern powers

Institution-based Network on China-Africa Cooperation for Schistosomiasis Elimination (INCAS): Driving schistosomiasis elimination in Africa

Abstract The burden of schistosomiasis remains a global public health problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa despite progress in terms of morbidity control. Successful control efforts achieved by China in the last six decades came with considerable experience and lessons that could benefit schistosomiasis control programs in other endemic countries. China's role and commitment to global health cooperation has become increasingly important; this has created a platform for partnership with developing partners for the establishment of Forum on China–Africa health cooperation which prioritizes the pursuit of global elimination target for schistosomiasis and malaria, control of HIV/AIDS, and improved access to reproductive health care. Chinese government's commitment towards achieving schistosomiasis elimination in Africa prompted the establishment of Institution-based Network on China–Africa Cooperation for Schistosomiasis Elimination (INCAS), by the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases to promote schistosomiasis elimination in Africa. Schistosomiasis experts from six provincial institutions and counterparts from 10 African countries participated in the first workshop on China–Africa cooperation for Schistosomiasis Elimination in Africa at Lilongwe, Malawi, in 2015. Experts at the inaugural meeting shared experiences from their national schistosomiasis control programs, as well as identified areas for collaborative synergy targeting schistosomiasis elimination in Africa. The establishment of INCAS, which comprises of 28 member-institutions from China and Africa, was proposed at this meeting. We, therefore, provide information on INCAS activities, cooperation mechanism, as well as assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as we target schistosomiasis elimination in Africa using the INCAS platform.

The Boundary of Smallholder Producers’ Cooperatives: A Conceptual and Empirical Analysis

AbstractIn this study we explain the concepts, determinants and imperatives of boundary in smallholder producers’ cooperatives both conceptually and empirically. The conceptual framework indicates the importance of the type of goods (being a club good or not) and range of activities that a cooperative provides to its members in defining a competitive boundary. Using unique organisational and market level data from Ethiopia, we then test empirically whether the observed (weak) performance of producers’ cooperatives in Africa is explained by their organisational boundary – the type and range of goods or services they provide to members. The empirical results confirm that the competitiveness of producers’ cooperatives is significantly correlated with the type and number of services – i.e. cooperatives that provide club goods and a limited range of services are found to be more competitive. The results also suggest that a considerable number of cooperatives in Ethiopia engage in markets where they do not have competitive advantage. Overall, we demonstrate the importance of properly defining a viable boundary – proper selection of services (or markets) and limiting the range of services – for improving the competitiveness of membership‐based producer cooperatives in Africa.

AU–EU relations: Challenges in forging and implementing a joint agenda

ABSTRACTDespite continued engagement between the European Union (EU) and Africa, cooperation continues to present challenges. The EU is frequently viewed as ‘the donor’ and Africa as ‘the recipient’, creating an unequal partnership. This paper analyses EU–Africa cooperation on common priority areas, namely governance, democracy, human rights, peace and security, and migration. While the parties have developed joint frameworks for cooperation and concluded relevant agreements, overall implementation has been limited owing to differences in capacities, perceptions and priorities. The article seeks to analyse how these differences have hindered the implementation of EU–Africa policy frameworks for joint action. Often, solutions are seen as imposed instead of owned – especially in Africa. Building trust is thus essential, through redefining the basis for cooperation between the EU and Africa and analysing what has and has not worked in the implementation of their cooperation framework.

Exploring ‘brain circulation’ as a concept to mitigate brain drain in Africa and improve EU–Africa cooperation in the field of science and technology

ABSTRACTThis article reviews the growing literature on national and regional strategies in Africa for ‘brain circulation’ and technological advancement tools, based on research networking and EU–Africa collaborative initiatives. Drawing upon the findings of several studies, the article identifies key fundamental elements shaping the framework for the circulation of expertise within the continent, including a favourable ecosystem. The article finds that this framework is constructed on principal themes where brain circulation could play a central and pivotal role in achieving accelerated socioeconomic and technological impact, especially within EU–Africa scientific collaboration. The discussion proposes a set of elements to bring out this potential in EU–Africa scientific collaboration through the accumulated expertise of African experts in the diaspora and concludes with proposals for further conceptual and empirical research. Overall, the outcomes of this review highlight several approaches to further strengthen EU–Africa scientific collaboration while utilising the untapped potential of the African diaspora.

BUILDING THE MANAGERIAL CAPITAL OF AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES IN AFRICA

ABSTRACTAgricultural cooperatives in Africa tend to be community‐based organizations defined by principles of inclusion, voluntarism, democracy, equity, autonomy, mutuality and solidarity. This means that they generally operate in accordance with the principles endorsed by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). However, only a few of these organizations are successful in commercializing the agricultural produce of their members. In this study, we argue that growth‐problems leading to commercial failure and organizational degeneration in these cooperatives can be attributed to a lack of managerial capital. Drawing on the literature and evidence from the field we set out key management solutions for counterbalancing cooperative principles in the context of rural Africa. These solutions were taught to the leaders and managers of 362 cooperatives at four training events held in Madagascar, Malawi and twice in Uganda. Using a production function for cognitive achievement and key informant interviews, we find that our training contributed to the adoption of the proposed solutions by some of the cooperatives. Using the Ugandan sub‐ sample, we estimate an OLS regression and a PSM model to show that the training translated into higher revenues per member generated through collective commercialization.

Analysing the New Millennium Role and Place of Socio-economic Geography in Deepening Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration: The Case of South Africa and Zimbabwe

Proportional territorial distribution of productive forces historically determined the emergence of socio-economic geography. Deepening regional integration under scrutiny of socio-economic geography culminated in a system of economic regions. These economic regions were further used as special instruments on functional optimisation and management of productive forces guided by specialisation of labor. The process was influenced by scientific and technological advancements, which led to change from a single-sided to an integral multi-factor approach. In these circumstances socio-economic cultural regions emerged as functionally specialised territorial units presenting optimum combinations of productive and non-productive industrial sectors and enterprises. Within this context, the study analyses the role of socio-economic geography in better informing regional integration with reference to South Africa and Zimbabwe. New conceptual terms, such as socio-economic cultural disparities and territorial socio-economic cultural inequalities are proposed. Informed by transformation development theory, the study employs comparative methods of quantitative and qualitative data analysis. It analyses five aspects: (i) application of socio-economic geography to questions of regional integration; (ii) territorial differentiation, factors, forces and relations; (iii) Benefits of economic cooperation and integration for South Africa and Zimbabwe with global economy; (iv) essence of North-South and South-South dialogue; and (v) prospects of the role of socio-economic geography. The conclusions emphasise the role of socio-economic geography, using the newly defined concepts, in articulating a comprehensive theoretical and practical understanding of the processes needed to enhance regional integration.

Yielding Economic Cooperation in Africa Through Developmental State; Focusing on the Obstacles

African countries are intensively on striving the path of economic cooperation. The attainment of this is attached to the notion of affecting positively the westphalian institutions towards development. Whereas it can work, the deplorable conditions of the population, unemployment, disease, illiteracy, utter poverty, and backwardness in terms of political, social and economic dimensions in Africa pose a big challenge hence a call to more thoughts on what the African States can do to ameliorate the situation. Given that the Asian Tigers have become so monumental in success cases of newly developed countries and much more to development, the research here postulates that yielding economic cooperation in Africa may as well require the path of developmental state. While dwelling on this with some case examples, the paper will explicates the challenges faced by African States on the struggle to become developmental States. Using case examples will necessitate comparative analysis, the study by relying on scholarly written work will carry out adequate literature review to draw concise conclusions to the theme. It will be our recommendation that economic cooperation of whatever model is a worthwhile consideration in states pursuit of political economy.

Russian Projects and Energy Cooperation in South Africa

The article discusses the problems and prospects for the development of a Russian nuclear power plants in South Africa, as well as other innovative energy projects in this country. Acute energy shortages in South Africa give Russia a unique chance to enter the African market and create a technological link between African countries and Russian innovations. An analysis of the political and economic situation in South Africa, as well as an assessment of the prospects for Russian business participation in the development of the South African energy sector were carried out using research conducted by the authors in South Africa in 2016, and interviews with Russian and South African civil servants and businesmen.

Facing financialization: The divergent mutations of agricultural cooperatives in postapartheid South Africa

AbstractThis paper analyses the transformation of the South African (former) grain cooperatives since 1994. These entities played a key role in the institutional architecture of the apartheid regime, ensuring the domination of white commercial farmers over the sector. Within the framework of the deregulation of the economy and the agricultural sector, such entities faced transformations of modern capitalism, especially the growing power of financial actors and markets. Although white commercial farmers still largely retain these inherited structures, these companies are presently being targeted more and more by private takeovers and/or private equity deals. Based on two specific empirical examples of private equity deals affecting South African grain cooperatives, this paper describes this financialization process in practice, in particular by analysing the interaction between financial and agricultural actors and the alliances on the ground that determine its “success.” In doing so, it details the different trajectories of these (former) cooperatives, highlighting the resilience, mutation, and extinction of commercial agriculture in South Africa.

‘Making Connections, Changing Lives’: Imaginaries of Commonality and Difference in Artisanal Weaving Tourism

Prompted by a brief encounter over four years ago in Ifrane, Morocco, this article explores the contradictions involved in the industry of weaving and feminist tourism, a type of travel where tourists, mostly women from Central Europe and North America, visit weaving cooperatives in Latin America, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. Though searching for solidarity and connection, these tourists simultaneously retain enough separation from weavers that they continue to feel both entitled and obligated to ‘help’ the artisans through the power of their purchases. These tourists, then, push forth two narratives: one of commonality and the other of difference. This tension is not isolated within the weaving tourism industry, but is rather situated between a larger framework of uneven global processes and the commoditisation of women’s bodies and development. However, current literature surrounding tourism imaginaries emphasises narratives around difference, often failing to recognise commonality as a motivating factor for tourists to choose certain destinations and types of tours. This case study, using my own experiences on a weaving tour, as well as a discourse analysis of tourists’ pre-tour narratives and post-tour tales, deconstructs some of these contradictory accounts to better understand imaginaries around global solidarity, gender identity, and womanly obligations within touristic encounters.

Development Cooperation in Africa: Creating New Momentum for China-U.S. Relations

As China projects itself as an emerging donor of development aid, its development cooperation with Africa has garnered unprecedented attention from the world. While China is faced with many challenges in aid practices in Africa despite its remarkable achievements over the past decades, both developed countries and African countries set high expectations for China’s potential contribution. Against this backdrop, it is crucial for China to enhance trilateral cooperation with developed donors and share experience with them on how to manage aid programs. Based on successful cooperation in the past, China-U.S.-Africa trilateral cooperation will not only strengthen China-U.S. bilateral ties, but also improve China’s overall aid effectiveness to Africa. In the future, China should initiate more development cooperation programs and work to create a coordinating mechanism with the United States in areas of their common understanding and interests; it should also go beyond traditional means of assistance and try to get involved in the U.S.-led public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

Adoption of Open Source Software in Libraries in Developing Countries

A survey on the adoption of open source software in libraries in developing countries was conducted. An online questionnaire was sent to Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and Special Commonwealth Assistance for Africa (SCAAP) participants for the Advanced Certificate Course in Modern Library Practices and the Lib@web participants of the Management of Electronic Information and Digital Libraries programme at the University of Antwerp in Belgium. The ITEC/SCAAP programme is sponsored by Government of India while the Lib@web programme is sponsored by Flemish Interuniversity Council – Belgian Development Council (VLIR-OUS). The data was collected from 31 librarians who attended these training programmes. The findings revealed that most libraries in developing countries which sent participants to these programmes have adopted open source software. The author recommends that librarians should continue upgrading their skills so that they are conversant with how the various open source software can be used in their institutions.

Cooperatives in South Africa: A Review

Objectives: The main objective of this paper is to explore the contribution of cooperatives in economic development of South Africa in post-independence period. It examines how the cooperatives help the members to attain the economic goals. Methods/Statistical Analysis: This article is based on the qualitative research approach and presented in the format of a literature review on the ways in which cooperatives began to play an important role in economic development process. Findings: From the literature review, it was found that, by developing and promoting cooperatives in South Africa create sound platform that is useful especially in the development of rural and semi-urban areas of the country. The role of cooperatives especially in agriculture sector will provide a momentum for the rural development. Further, big business development in South Africa and contribute towards social protection in the country. Managerial implications and Improvements: This article provides an in-depth discussion on cooperatives and their role in uplifting the rural and urban masses of South African in a sustainable manner. Analysis of the literature on cooperatives provides a unique business opportunity to its members those who are committed with positive energy to contribute for the development of South Africa. Keywords: Apartheid Era, Agriculture Sector and Entrepreneurship, Cooperatives and Economic Development, Rural Development, South Africa

The Forum on China–Africa Cooperation: towards a path of regime formation in environmental conservation

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to determine the validity of international regime theories while examining cooperation between China and African countries, focusing specifically on the Forum on China–African Cooperation. An overview of international regime theory shows that regimes are social institutions that influence the behaviour of states. Cooperation between China and Africa implies that an institutional framework is in place consisting of various norms and principles, as well as specific rules and programmes. In order to present a more concrete analysis, it is necessary to identify an approach that explains cooperation in a specific issue-area. The knowledge-based approach is used in this instance to point out how political and scientific knowledge shapes the path towards regime formation in environmental conservation. This happens by way of preferences, shared ideas and learning. The calculation of knowledge is analysed in light of existing and new challenges, in addition to learning, which creates belief systems, structure action plans and situations, and facilitates the negotiation process.

Borders that continue to bother us: the politics of cross-border security cooperation in Africa’s Lake Chad Basin

ABSTRACTUntil 2014, security responses to the Boko Haram insurgency were largely domestic and military. However, the increasing expansion of Boko Haram attacks in the Lake Chad Basin (LCB), compounded by the consequent humanitarian crisis, compelled a joint security action. This came in the form of the rejuvenated Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), comprising forces from the LCB member states (Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad) and Benin. My goal in this paper is to interrogate the cross-border dynamics and ramifications of the Boko Haram insurgency, and the nature of security responses to it. The analysis extends to the politics of cross-border security cooperation against Boko Haram in the LCB, as well as the impact of the MNJTF on Boko Haram’s evolving tactics. Along the way, the paper identifies key challenges to the effective operationalisation of the MNJTF.

Participatory Empowerment and Economic Capacitation in Disabled Peoples’ Cooperatives in South Africa

Participatory Empowerment and Economic Capacitation in Disabled Peoples’ Cooperatives in South Africa