The need to position Africa to compete effectively on the global stage amidst ongoing challenges was the central theme of a keynote address at the 4th International Conference on Africa’s Sustainable Development (ICASuD), held from Wednesday, October 16 to Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Anchor University, Lagos.
Delivering a keynote speech titled “Repositioning Africa for Sustainable Development Amidst Global Turbulence,” Professor Evans S. Osabuohien, Founding Chair of the DePECOS Institutions and Development Research Centre (DIaDeRC) and a Professor of Economics at Covenant University, emphasized the importance of restructuring Africa’s social, political, and economic systems to enable a functional institutional framework.
He called on African governments to create an environment conducive to multi-stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and interaction, stressing that tapping into the continent’s rich diaspora is crucial to driving development. He also urged the reinvention of educational systems to address current challenges while leveraging technology for demographic dividends.
While highlighting Africa’s resilience in sustainable development, Professor Evans Osabuohien noted that progress has been slow due to reliance on traditional sectors like agriculture, low-skill employment, and high food and energy prices driven by geopolitical tensions. He added that persistent political instability, weak institutions, and a significant financing gap hinder the continent’s structural transformation.
Reflecting on the continent’s sustainable development progress within the context of the United Nations’ goals, he explained that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000 focused on reducing poverty, improving education, and enhancing health outcomes. However, the launch of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 broadened the scope to encompass economic, social, and environmental dimensions. He also pointed out the alignment of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 with the SDGs as a roadmap for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Several key obstacles to sustainable development in Africa were identified, including climate change vulnerability, political instability, weak institutions, inequality, poverty, and infrastructural deficits. Despite these challenges, Africa’s abundant natural resources, youthful population, increased access to technology, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) present significant opportunities for growth.
Drawing on examples from transformational leaders like former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Julius Nyerere (Tanzania), Nelson Mandela (South Africa), and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia), he emphasised that political will and effective leadership are essential for inspiring shared visions, fostering growth, and driving development. Strong institutions, investment in education and innovation, empowerment of the agricultural sector, and robust infrastructure are also critical for economic transformation.
The Professor of Economics also cited Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, as a model of success, where a focus on technology and innovation has transformed it into an African hub for global conferences, boosting the country’s tourism and investment climate. Additionally, he pointed to India’s IT revolution, largely driven by the return of skilled diaspora members, as an example of how Africa could better engage its own diaspora to drive development.
The International Conference on Africa’s Sustainable Development (ICASuD) is an annual interdisciplinary event that brings together academic and industry leaders to address key economic and societal development issues across Africa. It was organised by the International Centre for Policy Research and IndustryLinkages (ICePRIL), a subsidiary of Shaveh Consulting. The 4th edition (ICASuD 2024) was co-hosted with Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos.
The hybrid conference was attended in the company of Professor Evans Osabuohien (DIaDeRC Chair) and team members, including Ms Happiness Obi and Mrs Patience Evans-Osabuohien. Additionally, it was an opportunity to connect faces to virtual participants of the African Scholars Mentorship Network (ASMN), including – Shalom Erude, Peace Kolawole, Fejiro Edewor, among others.
