Inclusive Development In Africa Research Articles

Agriculture and the youth population in Africa: An under-tapped resource for inclusive development

Several countries in Africa and other developing nations have grown, not only astronomically in terms of population, but also economically over the past two to three decades. However, available evidence has shown that economic growth alone does not guarantee inclusivity, a precondition for development. While some economic growth initiatives are pro-poor leading to some form of segregation, others are overtly sectoral, discriminatory, and sometimes unsustainable. Meanwhile, agricultural development through a conscious and committed investment portends a good deal for inclusive transformation considering the pivotal place of agriculture in the economic fabric of these countries. Again, with the rising population of young people in the continent with no appreciable investment in new skills and technologies to catch up with the demand of 21st century labour markets, agriculture remains the only sector capable of absorbing the burgeoning demographic. The youth population in Africa represents a dynamic and transformative force for the continent's socioeconomic landscape. With over 60% of the population under the age of 25, this group can significantly drive inclusive development, particularly through agriculture. Agriculture, as a primary sector, not only supports livelihoods but also fosters innovation, job creation, and food security. Agriculture, no doubt has always provided the necessary impetus required to drive the engine of industrialisation in Africa despite the many challenges facing the sector. It is against this backdrop that this paper explores the intersection of youth engagement in agriculture and inclusive development in Africa. It highlights how empowering young people with access to education, resources, and critical technology can lead to sustainable agricultural practices and enhanced productivity. By highlighting some important initiatives, the paper illustrate how youth-led initiatives in agriculture can address critical challenges such as unemployment, rural-urban migration, and food insecurity. Key words: Africa, Agriculture, Human resource, Inclusive development, Youth population

Introduction to the Special Issue: Policies for Inclusive Development in Africa

While there is increasing academic analysis and policy concern regarding growing inequality and the need for more inclusive development trajectories, it is equally important to advance our understanding of the pathways to attain more inclusive development in practice. This paper serves as the introduction to a special issue examining the empirical outcomes and processes of inclusive development policies in selected countries in Africa. The paper presents a policy implementation and assessment framework as a lens that connects the different case studies. The framework links general inclusive development strategies in employment, social protection and governance, to the participation and representation of the various stakeholders as well as the monetary and non-monetary transaction costs in accessing and/or implementing these programmes on the ground in different national and sub-national contexts. Based on the findings of the 9 case studies, the paper also advances policy directions and operational frameworks to attain more inclusive development in practice.

The impact of China's foreign direct investment on Africa's inclusive development

It has become a consensus among African countries that China's foreign direct investment is one of the most important ways to promote Africa's economic growth and inclusive development. As a result, Chinese enterprises are investing more and more in Africa, which has boosted Africa's economic growth and China-Africa trade cooperation. However, there are many criticisms that China's investment presence is a curse to the inclusive development of Africa. Therefore, our paper aims to determine the impact of CFDI on inclusive development in Africa. By collecting China's FDI data, the panel data of 48 African countries were analyzed from 2003 to 2020, respectively. The finding of CFDI in the continent was suspicious and needed to measure the impact in the host country. According to the empirical analysis results, it can be found that CFDI promotes the African economy through direct investment. Therefore, our results expand the economic growth literature and inform policymakers of the need to pay attention to bilateral, multilateral trade and investment with China, which both parties must control with a solid policy.

A Comparative Exploration of John Dewey’s and Julius Nyerere’s Concepts of Education and African Development

Owing to the nearly tangible result in the quest toward inclusive development in Africa, there has been the clamour that perhaps the Social Sciences, charged with the responsibility of providing solace for the menace are no longer adequate. This is the axiomatic basis upon which this essay builds its argument as it aims to blaze a trail that is usually taken for granted in the discourse on development – pedagogy. Hence, via the methods of comparison and analysis, this essay discloses the nexus between John Dewey’s reconstructionism and Julius Nyerere’s educational model of self-reliance as a basis to structure development from the arena of education. For Dewey, through education, society can develop and reform its purposes and can move in different directions. For Nyerere, education for self-reliance has to foster communal goals of living together and working together for the common good. Both Dewey and Nyerere stated that education should make the individual realize that he is a member of the society and learn to participate in social learning. A critical examination of the ideas of these minds reveals that in the face of the discrepancies or differences motivations between their educational philosophies, the aggregate factor is suggestive of a worthy platform upon which a self-reliant education that will usher in the era of social development may be erected. This study admits the undeniable Western presence and the indigenous approach which makes it to initiate a blend of them. The parenthood can serve as a platform that will nurture minds that will consequently inform national development, also ideology plays a very crucial role. The present educational system of contemporary Africa has waned consequent to the circumvention of proper assessment of knowledge. The educational framework is therefore the onus and recommendation of this intellectual inquiry.

Modeling Institutional Reengineering for Inclusive Development (IRID) in Africa

Inclusive development is a newly emerging notion that is gaining substantial attention, especially in international civil societies. The aim of this study, therefore, is to discuss the drivers of inclusive development in Africa, paying special attention to the political economy and structural change variables. Ordinary Least Squares regression is run in STATA 14 to test if there are statistically significant correlations between the five-year average scores of inclusive development index (IDI) as an endogenous variable and (proxies of) the five-year trend in economic growth, technology, structural change, trade, and political economy as exogenous variables. The panel data are pooled from 21 African countries among which 9 countries are landlocked. The regression is run in two scenarios. As an alternative scenario, IDI is pooled from the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2017 report and used as a dependent variable. In the other scenario, IDI is computed by incorporating variables relevant to the African context then used as a dependent variable. In the IRID customized version, the five-year trends of GDP, health facility, the institutional and structural change variables viz. democracy and employment opportunity in the industry sector are statistically significant determinants of inclusive development. Accordingly, an inference is drawn claiming that inter alia a nation is as prosperous, inclusive and resilient as the quality of its governance institutions and enforcement capability. This is in line with the conventional thought in African studies which claim that a natural resource endowment per se is not the sole determinant of development. Finally, to anchor IDI with a pragmatic paradigm, a three-stage institutional reengineering model is proposed which could be applied in different development governance endeavors.

Inclusive development: some perspectives from African communitarian philosophy

In this paper, I argue that traditional African communitarian values such as togetherness, mutual cooperation and solidarity are more consistent with the social structure and the political organization of many traditional societies in Africa and could be a veritable framework for implementing a program of inclusive development. I establish that African communitarian values take into consideration the contributions of all stakeholders, including the poor, vulnerable, and the marginalized in a bid to address development issues. I also provide strong reasons for implementing communitarian strategies of togetherness, solidarity and mutual cooperation which support mutual interdependence and could promote inclusive development in Africa. I draw examples from traditional African ethic with communitarian values salient among small self-governing communities, and reflect on the ethic / politics of consensus in light of important developmental challenges facing the world today. I draw the conclusion that a critical and creative reevaluation of the communitarian values may help Africans and the rest of humanity in meeting the challenges of inclusive development. Keywords: Inequality, Inclusive Development, Liberalism, African Communitarianism, Ontology, Wellbeing, African Socialism

Social policy for inclusive development in Africa

The paper revisits the discourse on development in Africa, following in the footsteps of leading development thinkers and focusing on social policy. Some of the thinkers and scholars have specifically and directly discussed development discourse in Africa. Others have made insightful points regarding inclusive development in Africa even though not directly engaging with development discourse. The paper also acknowledges earlier thinking regarding development in Africa, including perspectives that deal with underdevelopment. The paper concerns itself with the critical role that social policy can play in ensuring inclusive development in Africa. The interface between economic and social policy is emphasised. Although Africa faces many intractable challenges, most of which are externally imposed, robust social policies will go a long way in bringing about effective social and economic development. In the main, though, Africa needs a comprehensive socio-economic development approach that can ensure lasting inclusive development. Social policies are critical for any development endeavour in African countries. Another main point that the paper makes is that economic transformation is not enough to fully advance wellbeing in Africa (and probably the world at large). By restructuring economies in Africa, not much would be achieved though some gains would be made.

Mobile Phone Penetration, Mobile Banking and Inclusive Development in Africa

The study assesses the role of mobile phones and mobile banking in decreasing inequality in 52 African countries. The empirical procedure involves first, examining the income-redistributive effect of mobile phone penetration and then investigating the contribution of mobile banking services in this relationship. The findings suggest an equalizing income-redistributive effect of ‘mobile phone penetration’ and ‘mobile banking’, with a higher income-equalizing effect from mobile banking compared to mobile phone penetration. Poverty alleviation channels explaining this difference in inequality mitigating propensity are discussed.

Public Financial Governance for Inclusive Development in Africa by SalvatoreSchiavo‐Campo. Tunis: African Development Bank, 2013. 308 pp. No charge (online).

Public Financial Governance for Inclusive Development in Africa by SalvatoreSchiavo‐Campo. Tunis: African Development Bank, 2013. 308 pp. No charge (online).

Inclusive Development in Africa – Harnessing Youth Potential through Talent - Driven Human Capital Development

Inclusive Development in Africa – Harnessing Youth Potential through Talent - Driven Human Capital Development

Structural Transformation for Inclusive Development in Africa: The role of active government policies

This study examines the relationship between structural economic transformation and the economic, social and political dimensions of inequality. It is motivated by the renewed emphasis by policymakers in Africa to adopt a more inclusive growth trajectory through commodity-based industrialization. Drawing on theoretical and empirical evidence, the study shows that structural transformation is not a sufficient condition for inclusive growth. Indeed, even though structural transformation can result in poverty reduction, in the absence of active policies, the latter often coexists with rising inequalities. Active government policies that improve social service delivery, enhance agricultural sector productivity, minimize ethnic and gender inequalities, and strengthen social protection programmes are key to an inclusive structural transformation agenda.

Technology Diffusion and Inclusive Development in Africa: A System Dynamics Perspective

Technology Diffusion and Inclusive Development in Africa: A System Dynamics Perspective

Conclusion: Rethinking African Governance and Development

This article draws together the main strands of argument being developed by the Africa Power and Politics Programme (APPP), as reflected in this IDS Bulletin. The central question is what kinds of governance arrangements work better to support the provision of the public goods that are essential to sustained and inclusive development in Africa. Evidence at local, sectoral and national levels is pointing to the overall conclusion that what works is often a ‘practical hybrid’, combining authoritative coordination with local problem‐solving and constructive borrowing from local cultural repertoires. Consistent with the general idea of ‘going with the grain’, we find that the most likely source of the necessary vertical discipline is a developmental form of neo‐patrimonialism, not ‘good governance’, as currently conceived. Similarly, local collective action to address bottlenecks in public goods provision is seldom enhanced by standard donor and NGO approaches to citizen or client empowerment.