In a few days, Team SA will join other delegates from the continent at the African meeting of the World Economic Forum.
Our meeting in Davos earlier this year looked at the complex issue of the fourth industrial revolution. This is complex because less developed regions, like Africa, must harness the power of innovation and technology to move our economies beyond being factor driven towards being driven by efficiency and innovation. Yet we still have to find sustainable solutions to the more immediate challenges of ensuring the citizens of our continent are healthy, educated and skilled.
How can we catch up to ensure we are part of the fourth industrial revolution when we are still seized with providing the most basic needs of our people?
What is clear is that both options – to develop or to industrialise and move into the knowledge economy – cannot be mutually exclusive. Africa is in a very unique position with what is referred to by the World Economic Forum as the largest expected “demographic dividend”. Within 20 years, the number of sub-Saharan citizens reaching working age (15 to 64) will exceed that of the rest of the world combined. And by 2040, half of the world’s youth will be African.
If leaders from all spheres institute mechanisms to leverage this demographic dividend, African citizens have the potential to become a motive force for change. A people-centred developmental agenda must, therefore, necessarily be at the heart of Africa’s growth and development programmes. A skilled and healthy population will necessarily be able to drive efficiency- and innovation-based economies.
Industrialisation
We have recognised that we must achieve the twin priorities of development and industrialisation and Agenda 2063 – Africa’s first long-term programme for socio-economic development – therefore has at its centre the “mobilisation of the people and their ownership of continental programmes at the core; the principle of self-reliance and Africa financing its own development; the importance of capable, inclusive and accountable states and institutions at all levels and in all spheres; the critical role of regional economic communities as building blocks for continental unity; and holding ourselves and our governments and institutions accountable for results”.
In adopting Agenda 2063 as a framework guiding the continent’s growth and development programmes, leaders and citizens of the continent alike aspire to the reality that: “By 2063, Africa shall be a prosperous continent, with the means and resources to drive its own development and where: African people have a high standard of living, and quality of life, sound health and well-being; well-educated citizens and skills revolution underpinned by science, technology and innovation for a knowledge society is the norm and no child misses school due to poverty or any form of discrimination.”
In highlighting their aspirations for the continent, African citizens have also envisaged modern cities and economies, including the transformation of the agricultural sector “for increased production, productivity and value addition, (which) can contribute to national prosperity and Africa’s collective food security”. The building of the continent’s capacity for innovation through science and technology is at the heart of Agenda 2063 enabling “Africa’s accelerated integration and growth, technological transformation, trade and development. This will include high-speed railway networks, roads, shipping lines, sea and air transport, as well as well-developed ICT and digital economy.”
In addition to the central tenet of leveraging the continent’s human capital and building a solid foundation for highly skilled citizens who are able to build and sustain innovative economies, cities and countries, Africa’s vision rests on having the necessary financial resources to drive Agenda 2063. It is time that the continent stopped haemorrhaging its financial resources through the illicit flows of capital.
Africa has never before spelled out, in a long-term plan, its development aspirations. As citizens of the continent, we have a unique opportunity to be part of the transformation of our continent, to bring to life the vision of the Pan-Africanists and leaders who have come before us for a continent that is prosperous, developed and integrated. Will we play our part?
* Kingsley Makhubela is the chief executive of Brand South Africa. Follow @KLMMakhubela
** The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Independent Media.
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