For

to be free is not merely to cast off ones chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the
freedom of others. - Nelson Mandela

Vol. III, No. 12, 20 March 2 015

Agenda 2063: Africas Long Term Plan

While SAARC and its members in South Asia cannot think beyond the next election, African Union (AU) has
interestingly laid down a 50-year development plan, also called Agenda 2063. The major objective of the plan is to
create a thoroughly transformed continent, with borderless trade and commerce. Measures include integration of the
AUs 54 member states, opening up borders, and gradual merging of markets. Ironically AU came out of Organization
of African Unity, the name synonym with the Agenda 2063 mission. Closer home, Indias vision does not extend
beyond 2020, ably laid down by our former president, APJ Abdul Kalam in his now famous book. With planning
commission rolled into a NITI Ayog, one can only guess if there is any vision document in Indias future planning,
Modis grandstanding notwithstanding. With the planning commission, at least one was able to look at some of the
benchmarks expected to reach in 5 to 10 years time frame.

Looking at African continents, one finds a reflection of Indias scenario. Some of the coastal regions of West and East
Africa, as well South Africa have prospered, leaving central region in turmoil of decades old wars and insurgencies.
India has its share of restlessness on the North east, north and central India. Coastal areas have been reasonably quiet
and progressed well. Gujarat model in Jharkhand, or J&K or Nagaland would be interesting to see. With restrictions
on farm produce, India has allowed itself to be as landlocked and market unfriendly as Africa. African countries trade
more with partners outside the continent than with their immediate neighbours. North African states of Morocco,
Tunisia, Algeria, Libya and Egypt were comparatively more prosperous till they too were visited by American style
democracy. Dr Amadou of the Brookings Institution in the United States, has aptly summarized AU dilemma, Since
Africa is the least integrated region in the world, economic integration is one policy lever that can help increase and
sustain its growth. African countries have committed themselves to multiple blocs and bilateral treaties, viewed by
many Africa watchers as a major problem for continental integration. Like the resistance shown by Indian states to
GST, fear of economic losses as a result of economic integration and movement of goods, haunts most African nations.
Economic integration also suffers from African states internal weaknesses. Inefficient bureaucracies undermine
countries abilities to manage their borders and economic regulations. Corruption distorts trade across borders,
imposing additional costs on businesses and traders. Economic and trade integration of AU is also retarded by
Africas infrastructure backlog, common refrain in India. Africa has made strides in upgrading its infrastructure
mobile telecommunications being a good example but it urgently requires better hard infrastructure, such as the
roads, bridges and railways that enable the movement of physical goods and people.

The security challenges affect normal life throughout central, West, North east and Northern areas of the continent.
Nigeria and Chad are faced with Boko Haram; while Somalia and Kenya have suffered at the hands of Al-Shabab.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ivory Coast, Liberia, Ethiopia-Eritrea and South Sudan have a long history of
conflicts. Conflicts of any intensity prevent a nation from achieving her full potential, a lesson hard to forget for India.
Business constitutes a significant driver of integration and efforts have been made to involve business in regional
integration initiatives, notably in the East Africa Community. If Africas Agenda 2063 is to achieve more successful
regional integration, dealing with these deficiencies will require considerable resources, significant adjustments to
the governance of countries and a great reserve of political will. If India is prosper, inclusive agenda, major thrust on
social sectors like education, health and rural infrastructure will have to be driven by public sector. In a way African
visions and dilemma mirrors our own.

Written by: Dr. K.K.Sharma

www.chitkara.edu.in

Disclaimer: This Newsletter is prepared to enhance awareness and for information only. The
information is taken from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed by Chitkara
Business School as to its accuracy. Chitkara Business School will not be responsible for any
interpretations, opinions generated or decisions taken by readers.