ATF2018 IN REVIEW African policy makers, business leaders and heads of state hold a dialogue for action - African Center for Economic Transformation
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ATF2018 IN REVIEW African policy makers, business leaders and heads of state hold a dialogue for action Convene. Strategize. Transform.
ATF2018 In Review: Dialogue for action
DIALOGUE FOR ACTION
20-21 JUNE 2018, ACCRA, GHANA
Tito Mboweni, a highly respected international banker and economist who
also chairs the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) Board of
Directors, opened the 2018 African Transformation Forum (ATF2018) with
a strong call to action for Africa’s political leaders: work together with all
stakeholders to keep Africa’s development on track and in African hands.
“I hope you hear us loud and clear,” he said. “We partnerships that can drive sustainable growth
want to collaborate with you moving forward. and investment across the continent. It was the
Help us fight corruption. Help us fight the ‘big second such forum, following the inaugural event
man syndrome’. Help us ensure that resources held in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2016.
mobilized for Africa’s development go into
Africa’s development. “I hope you hear us loud and
clear,” he said. “We want to
Mboweni’s strong words echoed the theme of
ATF2018: a dialogue for action. Held by ACET collaborate with you moving
in collaboration with the Government of Ghana forward. Help us fight corruption.
on June 21-22 in Accra, the two-day forum Help us fight the ‘big man
brought together more than 250 African policy syndrome’. Help us ensure that
makers, business leaders, heads of state and
resources mobilized for Africa’s
government, as well as development partners
from across the globe, to discuss policies and development go into Africa’s
development.”
1 African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) www.acetforafrica.org
ATF2018 In Review: Dialogue for action
DAY 1: WORKING TOGETHER,
MAKING PROGRESS
ATF2018 was convened with a clear set of objectives for participants. It also
offered a unique opportunity for the private sector and other non-state actors
to engage directly with ministers and other policy makers to help shape
the course of economic transformation in Africa. A primary vehicle for that
dialogue is the Pan-African Coalition for Transformation (PACT), which was
established after the first ATF as a mechanism for like-minded countries and
stakeholders to collaborate on transformation challenges and solutions.
“PACT is a peer-to-peer learning platform are at the same stage of development, but some
organized in Chapters around key issues that were able to finalize a framework for action plans
drive economic transformation,” said Dr. K.Y. in the Chapter member countries. Ministers
Amoako, the President and Founder of ACET. who participated in the discussions shared the
Dr. Amoako followed Mr. Mboweni on day one action plans and other ideas generated from
and offered a full progress report on how far these working sessions with the full Forum on the
the PACT initiative had come in just two years. second day.
In addition to functioning Chapters that focus
on manufacturing, extractives, and resource The first day, however, was not yet done. Forum
mobilization, Amoako mentioned that two more attendees reconvened for dinner and a special
Chapters were set to be established after the address: the inaugural African Transformation
conclusion of ATF2018. Those Chapters will Distinguished Lecture, delivered by Reeta
cover agriculture and youth employment and Roy, the President and CEO of the Mastercard
skills. Foundation.
According to Amoako, PACT was conceived In her lecture, Roy highlighted the challenge
from a simple concept: “African countries can of providing the right education and training
accomplish more by working together than to Africa’s growing youth unemployment to
working apart.” That sense of collaboration ensure skills match future job demands. To
framed the rest of the Forum’s first day. this end, she described the new strategy being
implemented by the Mastercard Foundation—
“African countries can accomplish Young Africa Works, which not only strives for a
more prosperous future through productive jobs
more by working together than
but also targets African youth to unearth their
working apart.” creativity and foster innovation, especially in
In keeping with the central objective of ATF2018 the digital space. “African transformation is not
– a dialogue for action – five concurrent possible without the leadership of the youth,” she
working sessions centred around each of the said.
aforementioned PACT Chapters began mid-
morning and carried on through lunch and
“African transformation is not
until the end of the day. During those sessions, possible without the leadership
stakeholders deliberated on key challenges of the youth.”
and policy solutions to help drive economic
transformation. As mentioned, not all Chapters
African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) www.acetforafrica.org 2
ATF2018 In Review: Dialogue for action
DAY 2: SHARING BIG IDEAS
The second day of the Forum, which featured all plenary sessions, started
with a bang. Dr. K.Y. Amoako once again took to the stage and announced the
formation of an African Transformation Leadership Panel to be chaired by
Liberia’s former president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The Panel will be formed
over the coming months, Amoako said, and it will comprise eminent men
and women—proven experts and leaders—who will help promote important
transformation policies at the highest levels.
These issues must remain at the forefront for Still, he ended his remarks with a hopeful
political leaders, development partners, the message: the need for a collective, proactive shift
donor community and the African people,” he in the way Africans approach their challenges
said, adding that the stature and global expertise and opportunities. “The ultimate transformation,”
of the Transformation Leadership Panel would he said, “is the transformation of our mindset.”
help ensure much-needed advocacy.
Bawumia’s keynote was followed by broad
“The stature and global expertise plenary discussion on transformation strategies
featuring Ghana’s Minister of Finance Ken
of the Transformation Leadership
Ofori-Atta and the Executive Secretary of the
Panel would help ensure much- UN Economic Commission for Africa, Dr. Vera
needed advocacy.” Songwe. BBC journalist Sophie Ikenye served as
moderator.
Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia
took the stage next to deliver the Forum’s “The ultimate transformation
keynote address, during which he shared his
country’s transformation vision. For example,
is the transformation of our
he mentioned several Ghana government mindset.”
initiatives that are geared towards modernizing
Ofori-Atta picked up on points of Bawumia’s
and digitizing the Ghanaian economy, including
address, giving further details on Ghana’s
mobile money, a digital property address
vision to move beyond aid by implementing
system, and a national identification system,
transformative policies intended to curtail
among others. However, he also warned of
reliance on external development resources.
significant challenges. Ghana faces infrastructure
One way for all countries to strengthen domestic
constraints in energy, utilities and transportation,
resources is through improved management
which he described as the missing link in the
systems, including tax transparency treaties,
transformation agenda. “We cannot enhance
which will reduce illicit flows—a key point that
productivity without securing access to power,”
Songwe emphasized. She also stressed the
Bawumia said.
need for all African governments to sign the
African Continental Free Trade Area agreement to
“We cannot enhance productivity
create a more powerful and stronger pan-African
without securing access to market.
power.”
3 African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) www.acetforafrica.org
ATF2018 In Review: Dialogue for action
FOCUSING ON AGRICULTURE
The Forum’s focus narrowed for the next session, which was exclusively on
agriculture and its ability,, as Africa’s dominant economic sector, to transform
the continent.
Dr. Julius Gatune, ACET’s Senior Research and “The requirement to get it right,” Ndiame said,
Policy Advisor, presented findings from ACET’s “is to build institutions to help with the unique
African Transformation Report 2017: Agriculture agricultural challenges in Africa—and to bring the
Powering Africa’s Economic Transformation, private sector on board.”
detailing the numerous opportunities that
could be leveraged to speed up agricultural “Build institutions to help with the
transformation. Gatune cited abundant unique agricultural challenges in
uncultivated arable lands, a young and growing Africa—and to bring the private
labour force, extended growing seasons, and
expanding export markets as a few of these
sector on board.”
opportunities. Other panelists included Nick Thompson,
the Executive Director for Africa at the Tony
Gatune was joined by Fadel Ndiame, the West
Blair Institute, and Vanessa Adams, a Vice
Africa Regional Head of the Alliance for a Green
President at AGRA who highlighted the gender
Revolution in Africa (AGRA). Ndiame emphasised
dimension and the need to improve access
the importance of strong institutions and policies
for women in the agricultural sector. Adams
to drive agricultural transformation, but also
also urged land and water reforms and better
mutually beneficial partnerships and outside
data collection. Thompson highlighted another
investment.
critical component to modernizing agriculture:
transformation leadership, which he called a
“prerequisite” to transforming the industry.
African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) www.acetforafrica.org 4
ATF2018 In Review: Dialogue for action
OUTLINING ACTION PLANS
Thompson’s leadership theme echoed Amoako’s opening remarks and would
be picked up once more in the Forum’s concluding plenary a short time later,
but one other session remained: the ministerial reports from the previous
day’s PACT meetings.
The Chapter reports touched on a broad range The Ministers and officials reported good
of issues that PACT member countries had progress had been made in the working sessions,
discussed and identified as key elements of their and that the more established PACT Chapters
action plan frameworks, including governance were well-positioned to take another step
reforms, educational reforms, implementation forward and begin moving from ideas to action.
follow-through, data collection, policy coherence The session was moderated by Dr. Yaw Ansu, a
and coordination, and, of course, private sector Senior Advisor in Ghana’s Ministry of Finance and
finance. The reports were presented by Rwanda’s former Chief Economist at ACET.
Finance and Economic Planning Minister Uzziel
Ndagijimana; Ethiopia’s State Minister Koang “The Ministers and officials
Tutlam Dung; Uganda’s Agriculture Minister reported good progress had been
Christopher Kibazang; Gambia’s Deputy made in the working sessions,
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education,
Adama Jimba Jobe; and Chief Director in South
and that the more established
Africa’s Department of Trade & Industry, Nigel PACT Chapters were well-
Gwynne-Evans. positioned to take another step
forward and begin moving from
ideas to action.”
5 African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) www.acetforafrica.org
ATF2018 In Review: Dialogue for action
LEADING—AND COLLABORATING
—FOR TRANSFORMATION
ATF2018 built to its highly anticipated conclusion, an afternoon dialogue
between African Heads of State and Government and global business
executives that covered two of the most fundamental needs of successful
transformation: the need for visionary leadership and the need for private
investment.
To secure both, transparency and collaboration thing I will look at is the president. Is he a man of
between the public and private sectors is his word?”
paramount, and the many different ways
to ensure and promote that collaboration “The two main reasons [African
dominated the conversation. businesses] go bankrupt when
Heads of State on the panel included Ghana’s they try to go into industry are
President Nana Akufo-Addo and Rwandan lack of power and inconsistency
President Paul Kagame, together with Côte in government policy.”
d’Ivoire Vice President Daniel Kablan Duncan. On
the business side, Aliko Dangote, President and President Kagame said transformation comes
CEO of the Dangote Group was joined by Yaw down to people and resources, and the sound
Nsarkoh, Executive Vice President for Unilever- management of both so that they are “put to
Ghana and Nigeria, and Benjamin Dabrah, Senior good use to produce the outcomes we want
Vice President for McKinsey & Company. and need.” And that includes elected leaders,
he added: “We are also talking about the
President Akufo-Addo named three government management of the political process and political
priorities he considers key for transformation: will that has to accompany all these actions.”
macroeconomic management, tax policy and
education. He said that so far in Ghana, “the Noting that Africa is a continent rich in natural
indications are that the policies that we’ve put in and human resources yet remains poor, Kagame
place” around those areas are “achieving a more pointed to a collective mindset among citizens
robust economy.” and leaders—echoing a similar point made by
Ghana Vice President Bawumia earlier in the day.
Of course good policy starts with sound “There is no question about it,” Kagame said. “We
leadership, a point that Dangote, considered are stuck somewhere, and that explains why we
by many to be Africa’s most prominent have to shift our mindset.”
businessman, emphasized. To attract investment,
Dangote said, leadership and stable governance “We are stuck somewhere, and
are critical, and by extension the rule of law. that explains why we have to shift
“The two main reasons [African businesses] go our mindset.”
bankrupt when they try to go into industry are
Like Akufo-Addo, Côte d’Ivoire’s Duncan also
lack of power and inconsistency in government
named three priority areas he considers essential
policy,” Dangote said. When moderator Sophie
for transformation: peace and security, national
Ikenye asked Dangote what he considers most
reconciliation, and sustainable development—
before investing in a country, he said, “The first
areas that also underpin part of the African
African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) www.acetforafrica.org 6
ATF2018 In Review: Dialogue for action
Union’s Agenda 2063, he noted. Duncan also drive economic growth, “true transformation”
discussed his country’s remarkable economic will only happen once that growth is reflected
growth—in recent years the fastest-growing in in household incomes with “money in individual
Africa—but added that reform was still needed in pockets” to improve standards of living and spur
certain areas to improve the country’s business entrepreneurs to sustain a healthy economy.
environment. Unilever’s Nsarkoh, meanwhile, said better
policy all comes down to implementation. “The
The business leaders on the panel all had related governments that do what they say they are
thoughts on working with governments to going to do are the ones that get ahead,” he said.
improve local business environments. “Those that get caught in the priorities of many
conversations go absolutely nowhere.”
“Foreign investors will not come
unless they see local investors “The governments that do what
take the lead.” they say they are going to do are
Dangote emphasized the need for tax incentives
the ones that get ahead. Those
for local investors. “Foreign investors will not that get caught in the priorities of
come unless they see local investors take the many conversations go absolutely
lead,” he said. Dabrah cited McKinsey research nowhere.”
to argue that while government actions can
7 African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) www.acetforafrica.org
ATF2018 In Review: Dialogue for action
LOOKING AHEAD
Dr. Amoako took the stage a final time to thank all participants, especially the
Heads of State and Government and business leaders who had closed out the
Forum. And he reiterated why ATF2018 was conceived as an action-oriented
alternative to the deluge of conversations to which Nsarkoh had referred.
ATF2018 was envisioned as a target date by “It’s clear that we all have much work to
which we could measure our progress so far,” do between now and the next African
Amoako said, “and as an opportunity to take Transformation Forum,” Dr. Amoako said. “But I
stock of where things stand now, and a call to think we also know how to move forward so that
action to move to the next level. In some cases we are able to get where we want faster, and with
that has meant moving from objectives to action lasting results,” he concluded.
plans. In others, it means moving from action
plans to implementation. The ultimate goal is to “But I think we also know how to
keep the agenda moving forward.” move forward so that we are able
In that regard, Dr. Amoako closed the Forum to get where we want faster, and
by highlighting three key outputs that will with lasting result.”
build on ATF2018: the creation of an online
portal for continuous engagement between
PACT members in the various Chapters, a new
platform to engage African policy institutes and
think tanks, and the aforementioned African
Transformation Leadership Panel to be chaired by
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) www.acetforafrica.org 8
ATF2018 in Review
African policy makers, business leaders and
heads of state hold a dialogue for action
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