March 1-2, 2011
Africa has often been associated with discouraging economic performance, yet the continent’s development story seems to be making a change for the better. Africa’s economic growth rate accelerated from 1996 to 2008, making it the third fastest growing region in the world. The region has benefitted from increased macroeconomic stability, elevated global demand for its natural resources, and new sources of investment. Additionally, emerging sectors such as telecommunications, banking, retail and agriculture have contributed to Africa’s growth. The changes on the continent are not only economic; democratization and reduced conflict have enhanced development prospects. Nonetheless, Africa’s achievements remain fragile due to a legacy of economic failure, war, corruption, and weak institutions.
This conference explores the key factors that have contributed to the acceleration of African development over the past decade. Additionally, participants identify the key risks and opportunities for the region’s development looking ahead. Influential members of academia, the policy world, and the private sector discuss these issues and provide recommendations.
Conference Powerpoint Presentations:
- Governance Empirics on Africa: New Dawn and Premature Exuberance? By Daniel Kauffman
- The African Governance Report (AGR): Key Findings and the AGR III, By Said Adejumobi
- Africa’s Economic Future: Learning from the Past, By Augustin Fosu
- Governance & Private Investment In Africa: Lessons From A Failed Lease in the Water Sector
- Why Africa is Poor and What Africans Can Do About It, By Greg Mills
- Africa’s New Era: Balancing market and government failures, By Shanta Devarajan