African Development and Global Engagements

African Development and Global Engagements
Author: Adebusuyi Isaac Adeniran
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 413
Release: 2023-05-07
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 3031212835

The book takes a cursory look at the drivers and the directions of Africa’s developmental drive as a largely developing continent within the frameworks of the ever-dynamic global space, putting into perspective inherent challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century, and thereafter. Being the continent with most youthful population, Africa appears to still lack in requisite innovative interventions to transmute such demographic dividend into economic opportunities for the benefits of the larger population. Instead, there has been increasing trend in South-North migrations among both skilled and unskilled Africans across all age groups. Besides, impacts of climate change on the continent have also implied unstructured migratory trend within and beyond the bounds of the continent. Africa has continued to play a feeble role in various United Nations (UN)-enabled ‘Conference of Parties’ (COP) negotiations, such as the COP-26 in Glasgow, Scotland (2021). The management of recent Covid-19 epidemic across the world has presented a clear pointer to Africa that except development is internally-driven, no one is ready to exogenously drive sustainable good life for others. Ostensible ‘vaccine nationalism’ that has dotted the production and availability of various Covid-19 vaccine brands, which has ultimately left Africa as the ‘begging continent’ one more time calls for in-depth interrogation in contextualizing what the place of Africa has been, is and to be within the global interactive mode.

The Rise of Africa's Middle Class

The Rise of Africa's Middle Class
Author: Henning Melber
Publisher: Zed Books Ltd.
Total Pages: 282
Release: 2016-12-15
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1783607165

Across Africa, a burgeoning middle class has become the poster child for the 'Africa rising' narrative. Ambitious, aspirational and increasingly affluent, this group is said to embody the values and hopes of the new Africa, with international bodies ranging from the United Nations Development Programme to the World Bank regarding them as important agents of both economic development and democratic change. This narrative, however, obscures the complex and often ambiguous role that this group actually plays in African societies. Bringing together economists, political scientists, anthropologists and development experts, and spanning a variety of case studies from across the continent, this collection provides a much-needed corrective to the received wisdom within development circles, and provides a fresh perspective on social transformations in contemporary Africa.

Africa's Development Dynamics, 2018

Africa's Development Dynamics, 2018
Author: African Union Commission
Publisher: Org. for Economic Cooperation & Development
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2018
Genre: Africa
ISBN: 9789264302495

This first edition explores the dynamics of growth, jobs, and inequalities. It proposes ten decisive actions to promote sustainable economic and social development and to strengthen institutions in Africa.

Africa and the Sustainable Development Goals

Africa and the Sustainable Development Goals
Author: Maano Ramutsindela
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 300
Release: 2019-06-13
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3030148572

The book draws upon the expertise and international research collaborations forged by the Worldwide Universities Network Global Africa Group to critically engage with the intersection, in theory and practice, of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s development agendas and needs. Further, it argues that – and demonstrates how – the SDGs should be understood as an aspirational blueprint for development with multiple meanings that are situated in dynamic and contested terrains. As the SDGs have substantial implications for development policy and resourcing at both the macro and micro levels, their relevance is not only context-specific but should also be assessed in terms of the aspirations and needs of ordinary citizens across the continent. Drawing on analyses and evidence from both the natural and social sciences, the book demonstrates that progress towards the SDGs must meet demands for improving human well-being under diverse and challenging socio-economic, political and environmental conditions. Examples include those from the mining industry, public health, employment and the media. In closing, it highlights how international collaboration in the form of research networks can enhance the production of critical knowledge on and engagement with the SDGs in Africa.

China, Africa and Responsible International Engagement

China, Africa and Responsible International Engagement
Author: Yanzhuo Xu
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 403
Release: 2017-10-06
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1351711458

China’s increasing involvement in Africa is a controversial and hotly debated issue. On the one hand, China has brought significant economic and political opportunities to the continent with large amounts of investment and infrastructure. On the other hand, however, China’s interests in Africa - including international strategy for multipolarity, a boom in China-Africa trade, and a strategic focus on energy – have been challenged as a form of neo-colonialism with claims that support for authoritarian governments has come at the expense of human rights, the environment and good governance. This book analyses China’s responsibility in Africa through the lens of good governance, China’s African policy, policy implementation, feedback from host countries, and feedback from international society. Arguing for a new framework for evaluating China-Africa engagement, it looks at four countries – Sudan (South Sudan), Nigeria, South Africa and Ethiopia, all of which represent typical features of China-Africa relations – to test China’s impact on the country and to analyse the factors in Africa that affect China’s ability to shoulder responsibility. It proves that China’s responsibility in Africa is affected by both the Chinese and African environments and that China’s positive or negative impacts on the host African countries are largely constrained by the political and economic situation within the host state. Containing information from first-hand interviews with African officials, officials from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, employees from Chinese State-owned enterprises who have been assigned to Africa, and Chinese self-employers in Africa, and using fieldwork from three African countries, this book will be of significant interest to students and scholars of African and Chinese Politics, International Relations and Development.

Winning the Needed Change

Winning the Needed Change
Author: Ignacio Pichardo Pagaza
Publisher: IOS Press
Total Pages: 280
Release: 2009
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 158603958X

Winning The Needed Change: Saving our Planet Earth represents the outcome of long deliberations and systematic exchanges among the several members of a truly global team. It reflects a diversity of viewpoints and makes no claim to finality. However, it represents an effort to carry the debate, which started with the establishment of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), or arguably much earlier, one step further, onto the planetary level.

Chinese Engagement in Africa

Chinese Engagement in Africa
Author: Larry Hanauer
Publisher: Rand Corporation
Total Pages: 171
Release: 2014-03-12
Genre: History
ISBN: 0833084127

Examines Chinese engagement with African nations, focusing on (1) Chinese and African objectives in the political and economic spheres and how they work to achieve them, (2) African perceptions of Chinese engagement, (3) how China has adjusted its policies to accommodate African views, and (4) whether the United States and China are competing for influence, access, and resources in Africa and how they might cooperate in the region.

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Retrospect

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Retrospect
Author: Nathan Andrews
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2015-06-10
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 3319161660

This volume examines the impact of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on Africa’s development post-2015. It assesses the current state of the MDGs in Africa by outlining the successes, gaps and failures of the state goals, including lessons learned. A unique feature of the book is the exposition on post-MDG’s agenda for Africa’s development. Chapters on poverty, south-south partnership, aid, gender, empowerment, health as well as governance and development explore what feasible alternative lie ahead for Africa beyond the expiry date of the MDGs.