Set against the backdrop of low growth, dire unemployment figures, and a huge infrastructure deficit – the theme of this year’s African World Economic Forum (WEF) is “inclusive and sustainable growth”. This is on top of an alphabet soup of long established sub-regional groupings such as the East African Community, West African Community, Southern African Development Community (SADC). This is far below levels seen in North America (40%), Asia (50%) and Western Europe (70%), and is often cited as an impediment to Africa’s economic development. SADC was established in its modern form in 1992, having a mandate to promote integration of economic development programmes among member states. Here too the SADC was ahead of the curve in terms of planning and adopting a regional infrastructure master plan in 2012.

Source: The Star May 03, 2017 12:45 UTC