Africa needs more G20 reps: ACBF

Fungai Lupande Herald Reporter
AFRICA Capacity Building Foundation bemoaned the lack of representation of African countries in the group of 20 annual summit, which was held over the weekend in Brisbane, Australia. At the summit, leaders of the G20 countries deliberated on issues of their respective economies and only South Africa is the continent’s sole member. In a statement, Executive Secretary of African Capacity Building Foundation Professor Emmanuel Nndozie said the continent is under-represented in the body.

“South Africa is the only member in the continent, meaning that Africa’s views are not adequately canvassed.
“Since the chairpersons of the African Union and the Nepad Planning and Co-ordinating Agency who are usually invited as observers to G20 meetings change every year, it makes continuity and effective representation difficult.

To further stress the point about Africa’s under-representation Prof Nndozie said the Association of African Central Banks, unlike in other regions, is not a member of the Financial Stability Board.

“The Financial Stability Board is another body comprising the finance ministers and central bankers of member countries, which meets regularly to take crucial decisions affecting the global economy.

“Therefore Africa’s participation at the meetings often suffers due to uncertainty and inconsistency of its inputs,” he said.
Prof Nndozie said it is not surprising then that the continent’s priorities are not fully incorporated into the G20 agenda.

“Africa can no longer remain on the margins where global leaders are making decisions on the world economy. The continent has a duty to convince the grouping to address its major concerns, particularly the strengthening of productive capacity, increasing productivity, value addition and accelerated industrialisation,” he said.

Furthermore Prof Nndozie said if the grouping wants to truly add value to the continent’s developmental aspirations, it should start by supporting its efforts at promoting economic transformation through industrialisation, economic growth and employment creation.

“Also, it needs to pay attention to infrastructural development on the continent and help boost intra-African trade, which still remains at a low level.
“Until African membership of the forum is increased with more countries joining South Africa, it may not have the desired impact,” he said.

Prof Nndozie urged Africa to deploy high-quality resources to manage the Africa-G20 relationship, and have a clear picture of needs as part of the overall policy and planning framework which is an essential basis for meaningful dialogue among equals.

“On its part, the G20 needs to see Africa’s development as part of the solution to the global economic challenges, and not as something to be treated separately,” he said.