Economic Report On Africa 2016

The 2016 edition of the Economic Report on Africa (ERA 2016) focuses on greening industrialization and highlights sustainable and people-centred industrialization. Given the impacts of climate change, resource scarcities and environmental degradation, measures for de-risking Africa’s development are critical. The form and pattern of Africa’s industrialization, shaped by its abundant natural resources especially water and renewable energy sources, are discussed within the scale and scope that tackles inequality and promotes inclusivity. The report employs a value chain approach in analyzing the decoupling needs of key economic sectors towards low carbon intensive economic growth in Africa. Country case studies are used in demonstrating ongoing greening activities across key sectors. This is supported with modelling of future development scenarios under ‘Business-as Usual’ and “Greening” to demonstrate the additionality of greening policies and investments in making a business case to support the industrialization and transformation momentum in the continent’s development agenda. The report therefore provides evidence-based information to policymakers and other stakeholders on greening Africa’s industrialization to achieve inclusive and sustainable structural transformation and growth on the continent.

This report presents the continent’s current state of affairs and forecasts its situation for the coming two years. It examines Africa’s performance in crucial areas: macroeconomics, financing, trade policies and regional integration, human development, and governance.

This is the official report submitted to the Economic and Social Council by the Economic Commission for Africa covering the period from 31 March 2015 to 31 March 2016.

The 2017 Economic Report on Africa focuses on the linkages between industrialization and urbanization. Urbanization is one of Africa mega trends with profound implications for the social, economic, environmental dimensions of growth and transformation. Theory and experience demonstrate that industrialization and urbanization can be mutually reinforcing processes. It is therefore imperative to explore the linkages between urbanization and industrialization given the profound implications for structural transformation in Africa. So far, current policy narratives and frameworks on structural transformation and industrialization in Africa have largely failed to factor in the spatial and urban dimensions of industrialization, and in particular the advantages presented by productivity enhancement and agglomeration effects generated by cities. Yet, the nexus between urbanization and industrialization is of particular relevance for Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. Both agendas recognize urbanization as a critical factor for sustainable development. It is also important to consider urbanization and industrialization in light of Africa's engagement with the Third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) to be held in Quito, Ecuador in October 2016. In this context, African policy makers have clearly recognized urbanization as an engine of structural transformation for inclusive and sustainable growth.

The 2016 edition of the Economic Report on Africa (ERA 2016) focuses on greening industrialization and highlights sustainable and people-centred industrialization. Given the impacts of climate change, resource scarcities and environmental degradation, measures for de-risking Africa’s development are critical. The form and pattern of Africa’s industrialization, shaped by its abundant natural resources especially water and renewable energy sources, are discussed within the scale and scope that tackles inequality and promotes inclusivity. The report employs a value chain approach in analyzing the decoupling needs of key economic sectors towards low carbon intensive economic growth in Africa. Country case studies are used in demonstrating ongoing greening activities across key sectors. This is supported with modelling of future development scenarios under ‘Business-as Usual’ and “Greening” to demonstrate the additionality of greening policies and investments in making a business case to support the industrialization and transformation momentum in the continent’s development agenda. The report therefore provides evidence-based information to policymakers and other stakeholders on greening Africa’s industrialization to achieve inclusive and sustainable structural transformation and growth on the continent.

The World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) is the definitive report of the United Nations on the state of the world economy. One of the most highly anticipated economic reports from the United Nations, it is jointly produced by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the five United Nations Regional Commissions. It provides an overview of recent global economic performance and short-term prospects for the world economy and of some key global economic policy and development issues.

The main objective of this book is to identify the key sources of growth which have played a significant role in Africa's recent robust growth as well as its efforts towards economic transformation. The book assesses to what extent the existing macroeconomic frameworks among African countries have been streamlined to the countries' development priorities in order to achieve long-term growth and economic transformation. Taking into account the diversity of African countries, the authors establish the economic linkages between relevant macroeconomic policy variables and the key sources of growth and development among the selected African economies, based on both theoretical and empirical underpinnings. Following this, an outline of a macroeconomic framework for Africa’s long-term growth and economic transformation is suggested.