African countries grappling with hurdles impeding sustainable devt – ADI

African countries are grappling with hurdles that impede sustainable development in the face of pressing challenges.

Dr. Eric Ogunleye, Director of the African Development Institute, said this on the sidelines of the ongoing 2024 African Economic Conference (AEC) in Gaborone, Botswana.

Ogunleye named some of the challenges faced by nations on the continent to include skill gaps, weak governance structures, and insufficient technical expertise

He said the ADI, recognizing the importance of capacity building, was stepping up efforts to bridge these gaps, particularly in public financial management, digital innovation, climate resilience, and policy formulation.

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“The ADI-ECAD is working to empower policymakers and practitioners across the continent through a range of targeted programmes and strategic partnerships.

“One of its flagship initiatives, the Virtual Capacity Development Academy (VCDA), is pivotal in addressing these gaps.

“By leveraging technology, this online platform is democratizing access to knowledge and providing training to individuals in rural and undeserved regions, helping to overcome challenges related to infrastructure and accessibility,” he said.

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According to Ogunleye, the VCDA represents a breakthrough in reaching participants in remote areas, ensuring that even the most undeserved communities can access the tools needed for economic transformation.

“The academy offers e-learning, webinars, and online courses, focusing on critical sectors like digital economies, green technologies, and emerging sectors shaping Africa’s future.

“Artificial intelligence and data analytics, are also being incorporated to tailor training programmes to local contexts, further enhancing their relevance,” Ogunleye said.

He said the ADI is strengthening economic governance through programmes like the AEC and the Public Financial Management Academy (PFMA) in addition to its digital capacity-building efforts.

“These programmes focus on equipping African governments with the knowledge and skills to mobilise domestic resources, create evidence-based policies, and implement effective financial management strategies.

“Countries like Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Senegal have benefited from tailored technical assistance in areas such as tax reform and fiscal sustainability,” he said.

Ogunleye explained that the ongoing success of this programme was also evident in the ADI-ECAD’s collaboration with global academic institutions, including partnerships with China and Korea.

“These relationships help exchange best practices and knowledge from diverse global contexts, further enriching Africa’s capacity-building efforts.

“Recognizing Africa’s youthful demographic as a catalyst for growth, ADI-ECAD is placing a strong emphasis on empowering the continent’s young population,” he said.

According to him, the bank’s “Enable Youth Initiative” focuses on equipping young Africans with entrepreneurial skills in key sectors.

He said the sectors, which include agribusiness, technology, and green industries, were complemented by mentorship programmes, vocational training, and access to finance, which aim to turn young job seekers into job creators.

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He said ADI was also preparing to inaugurate the Youth Community of Practice (Y-CoP), a platform designed to engage Africa’s youth in discussing and addressing the pressing economic development issues.

The director said this initiative would give young people the opportunity to influence policy, drive innovation, and build resilience in the face of global market shifts and disruptive technologies.

“The ADI is laying the foundation for a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable Africa, where a well-equipped and forward-thinking workforce powers economic growth and development,” he said.

He said that as the continent continues to navigate the complexities of the 21st century, initiatives like these were vital to ensure that Africa’s potential is realized.