1

Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

in Africa

Presented on behalf of ECA, AUC, AfDB & UNDP

BY

EMMANUEL NNADOZIEEMMANUEL NNADOZIEDirector, Economic Development and NEPAD Division,

ECA

Outline of the presentation

ContextContext

Progress ReportProgress Report

Possible Explanations of SuccessPossible Explanations of Success

ChallengesChallenges

Some RecommendationsSome Recommendations

ConclusionConclusion

3

Context

Commitment remains high

Only 5 years left to target date of 2015 to Only 5 years left to target date of 2015 to achieve MDGs. achieve MDGs. African common position

High level political commitment not eroded High level political commitment not eroded by recent global crisesby recent global crises African governments, development partners, pan-

African institutions and UN family

African countries adopted a broad range of African countries adopted a broad range of policy instruments to minimize impacts of policy instruments to minimize impacts of financial and economic crises.financial and economic crises.

BASED ON “ASSESSING PROGRESS IN AFRICA TOWARD THE MDGS, 2010” A JOINT REPORT OF THE

UNECA, AUC, AFDB, AND UNDP

Brief Progress Report

Overall progress is mixed

Progress towards MDGs in Africa is mixed across Progress towards MDGs in Africa is mixed across countries ten years since the adoption of Millennium countries ten years since the adoption of Millennium Declaration. Declaration.

But there is unequivocal progress on practically all But there is unequivocal progress on practically all MDGs. MDGs.

A number of targets will not be met, not because A number of targets will not be met, not because there is no progress but because the rate of progress there is no progress but because the rate of progress is slower than required.is slower than required.

Africa should take pride in meeting some of the Africa should take pride in meeting some of the targets especially in areas of education and gender.targets especially in areas of education and gender.

But concerned about rate of progress in health-But concerned about rate of progress in health-related MDGs and in poverty reduction.related MDGs and in poverty reduction.

MDG 1: Poverty Reduction remains problematic

MDG 1 is the most problematic areaMDG 1 is the most problematic area Inadequate and incomplete data make assessment of

progress on poverty reduction difficult. Nonetheless, notable progress has been made towards

poverty reduction and extreme hunger, and most of health related MDGs.

The proportion of people in Africa living in The proportion of people in Africa living in poverty is decreasing according to latest poverty is decreasing according to latest figuresfigures

However, in absolute terms, the number of However, in absolute terms, the number of Africans living below poverty line is projected Africans living below poverty line is projected to increase by 2015to increase by 2015

Growth rate of GDP per person employed by Africa sub-region (1992-2008)Growth rate of GDP per person employed by Africa sub-region (1992-2008)

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

1992 2000 2005 2008

Central Africa West Africa North Africa

Southern Africa East Africa

1992-2008: GDP per 1992-2008: GDP per person employed grew in person employed grew in all sub-regions, denoting all sub-regions, denoting an increase in labour an increase in labour productivity. This has been productivity. This has been growing in over 84% of the growing in over 84% of the 48 countries with data48 countries with data

Employment to population Employment to population ratio has stagnated over ratio has stagnated over the period under review the period under review and employment creation and employment creation remains a major challengeremains a major challenge

MDG 1: Poverty Reduction remains problematic

MDG 2 Education - Most countries are making progress towards meeting the goal of universal primary education.

58.2

57.7

54.5

47

46

41.5

37

30.6

28.6

28.1

27.7

26.9

24.9

21.1

19

18.7

14.8

13

12.8

12.4

11.9

10.7

9

6

5.3

4.6

4.6

4

3.4

2.4

0.7

0.7

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Djibouti

Eritrea

Niger

Burkina Faso

Central Af rican Republic

Congo

Mali

Equatorial Guinea

Gambia

Ghana

Ethiopia

Senegal

Guinea

Togo

Mauritania

Burundi

Cape Verde

Kenya

Sw aziland

Malaw i

Namibia

Morocco

South Af rica

Rw anda

Uganda

Mauritius

Zambia

Algeria

Tunisia

Egypt

Madagascar

Sao Tome and Principe

2007 Gap to target

The percentage of seats of women in national parliament dramatically increased in 2009 compared to 1990

The percentage of seats of women in national parliament dramatically increased in 2009 compared to 1990

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Egypt

Com orosEquatorial Guinea

CongoSao Tom e and Principe

AlgeriaMadagascar

DRCCote d'Ivoire

Gam biaKenya

Guinea-BissauCentral African Republic

MoroccoBenin

BotswanaTogo

Niger

MalawiDjibouti

SwazilandCam eroon

Som aliaZam bia

Zim babweGabon

MauritiusCape Verde

SenegalTunis ia

SeychellesNam ibia

UgandaMozam bique

AngolaSouth Africa

Rwanda

1990 2009

Women’s representation in Women’s representation in national parliaments has national parliaments has significantly increased from significantly increased from 1990 to 20091990 to 2009

Four leading countries on Four leading countries on this indicator emerged this indicator emerged from civil conflict from civil conflict indicating that gender indicating that gender mainstreaming is part of mainstreaming is part of the peace building processthe peace building process

Women’s participation in Women’s participation in executive, judicial, executive, judicial, traditional and other public traditional and other public spheres visibly low across spheres visibly low across most countriesmost countries

MDG3: Empowerment of Women: Dramatic increase in parliamentary seats

Health MDGs (4,5&6) registered significant progress

The continent has made significant progress The continent has made significant progress in some of indicators on health.in some of indicators on health.

For example,For example, HIV prevalence and mortality rates among population

of aged 15-24 have been falling. Prevalence dropped to around 5%.

In most countries, percentage of immunized children against measles is above the 73% regional average in 2008.

Countries & partners have increased investments in health

MDG4 Under-5 Mortality: Current rate of progress remains insufficient to reach the target of under-five mortality rate.

0

50

100

150

200

1990 2007 2015

Actual Estimate Target

Deaths/1000 live birthsDeaths/1000 live births

Percentage of birth attended by skilled health personnel

Percentage of birth attended by skilled health personnel

Maternal mortality remains Maternal mortality remains key challenge for health key challenge for health systems worldwide.systems worldwide.

Latest available data Latest available data showed that there is an showed that there is an overall decline in maternal overall decline in maternal mortality between 1980 mortality between 1980 and 2008.and 2008.

Birth attendance by health Birth attendance by health personnel remains lowpersonnel remains low

Key issue discussed in the Key issue discussed in the African Union Summit in African Union Summit in July this year and a July this year and a reinvigorated emphasis was reinvigorated emphasis was endorsed.endorsed.

MDG5: Improving Maternal Health remains a key challenge

100

99

95

94

93

91

90

86

86

81

81

79

78

78

74

74

69

63

63

63

62

62

61

57

57

57

55

54

54

54

52

52

51

49

49

48

47

47

46

46

42

42

42

39

39

38

34

33

28

18

14

6

Libya(2006)

Mauritius(2005)

Algeria (2006)

Botsw ana (2000)

Djibouti (2006)

South Africa (2003)

Tunisia (2000)

Congo (2005)

Gabon (2000)

Namibia(2000)

Sao Tome and principe(2006)

Egypt(2005)

Cape Verde

Benin(2006)

Sw aziland(2002)

DRC(2001)

Zimbabw e(2005/06)

Equatorial Guinea(2000)

Cameroon (2006)

Morocco (2003/04)

Togo (2006)

Comoros (2000)

Mauritania (2001)

Cote D'ivoire(2006)

Gambia (2006)

Ghana (2007)

Lesotho (2004)

Burkina Faso (2006)

Malaw i (2006)

Central African republic (2006)

Rw anda (2005)

Senegal (2005)

Madagascar (2003/04)

Mali (2001)

Sudan (2006)

Mozambique (2003)

Angola (2001)

Zambia (2001/02)

Liberia (2000)

Tanzania (2004/05)

Sierra Leone (2005)

Uganda (2006)

Kenya (2003)

Guinea-Bissau (2006)

Nigeria (2008)

Guinea (2005)

Burundi (2005)

Somalia (2006)

Eritrea (2002)

Niger (2006)

Chad (2004)

Ethiopia (2005)

MDG6: Combat HIV, TB & other diseases—some success

Prevalence of HIV/AIDs is decreasingPrevalence of HIV/AIDs is decreasing

More people are living with HIV which has resource More people are living with HIV which has resource implicationsimplications

Malaria continues to be major cause of morbidity Malaria continues to be major cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa.and mortality in Africa.

However, there has been significant reduction in However, there has been significant reduction in malaria deaths in few African countries.malaria deaths in few African countries.

Use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) has Use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) has increased.increased.

Arteminisin combination therapies are also widely Arteminisin combination therapies are also widely used.used.

MDG7 – Environmental sustainability—mixed result

Another notable achievement is in area of Another notable achievement is in area of basic sanitation and safe drinking water.basic sanitation and safe drinking water. In 2008, nine African countries reached over 90%

coverage for access to safe drinking water. This improvement is urban based to a large extent.

The slow progress toward Health MDGs is attributed partly to inadequate hygienic condition including inadequate access to safe water and sanitation.

MDG8: Partnership for Development—strong, but many commitments remain unfulfilled

International cooperation and global International cooperation and global partnership are crucial for achieving the partnership are crucial for achieving the MDGs and partnership remains strong.MDGs and partnership remains strong.

Net official development assistance (ODA) to Net official development assistance (ODA) to Africa rose in 2008 despite the global Africa rose in 2008 despite the global financial and economic crisis. financial and economic crisis. However, this fell far below the commitment of 0.7%

of GNI of OECD countries.

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Success Factors

Three broad set of success factors

Political support remain strong in many Political support remain strong in many countriescountries

Increasing role of policy innovations: Increasing role of policy innovations:

broad-based institutional innovations and

goal-specific

Commitments to the MDGs by Africa’s Commitments to the MDGs by Africa’s Development Partners remain strong Development Partners remain strong

Broad-based Policy Interventions

Social protectionSocial protection

MDG-based planningMDG-based planning

Decentralization: Cascading the MDGs Decentralization: Cascading the MDGs to lower tiers of governmentto lower tiers of government

Better policy and program coordinationBetter policy and program coordination

Goal-specific interventions

Virtual Poverty FundVirtual Poverty Fund

Non-traditional models of delivering Non-traditional models of delivering primary educationprimary education

Legislation of equal inheritance for Legislation of equal inheritance for widowswidows

Decentralized Service ProvisionDecentralized Service Provision

Strong commitment by the Partners

Partnership ECA-AfDB-AUC-UNDP to monitor the MDGs and provide assistance to member states

Support to the African Union and RECs on the implementation of regional agricultural value chains to transform agricultural production and contribute to improved food security

Action plan of MDG Africa Steering Group and implementation of the Africa Regional Working Group

Strengthened analytical work to support MDG policy making in Africa, resource mobilization and knowledge sharing

22

Risks and challenges

Risks still remain

Unstable global economic environmentUnstable global economic environment

Inequality and inequity in service deliveryInequality and inequity in service delivery

Global partnership, short of promiseGlobal partnership, short of promise

Resource mobilizationResource mobilization

Climate changeClimate change

Unstable Global economic environment—constitutes a significant

threat

The rising deficits in advanced The rising deficits in advanced industrialized countries and Euro-zone industrialized countries and Euro-zone debt crisis of 2010 threaten economic debt crisis of 2010 threaten economic recovery and aid flows to Africa in 2010 recovery and aid flows to Africa in 2010 and beyond.and beyond.

Inequality and inequity remain a key constraint to progress

Reducing inequality in access to social Reducing inequality in access to social services and thus in outcomes. The services and thus in outcomes. The inequality partly explains why achieving inequality partly explains why achieving MDGs in health are slow.MDGs in health are slow.

Global Partnership for development, a promise still unfulfilled

The Doha round of trade negotiations The Doha round of trade negotiations remain stalledremain stalled

Economic Partnership Agreement – many Economic Partnership Agreement – many African countries signed EPA for African countries signed EPA for protecting EU marketsprotecting EU markets However, contentious issues still remain.

Aid for Trade: Aid for Trade: Access to aid for trade is difficult due to mainstreaming

trade into national and regional development strategy. Moreover, countries need to develop a bankable project.

Resource Mobilization remains a key challenge

Some key interventions need additional Some key interventions need additional external resources external resources Various international commitments, e.g. Monterrey

and Gleneagles, are yet to be fulfilled

There is need for mobilizing additional There is need for mobilizing additional domestic resources to finance MDG domestic resources to finance MDG targetstargets

Threat of Climate Change still looms large

Climate change is a critical issue for Africa; Climate change is a critical issue for Africa; and indeed its greatest challenge in the 21st and indeed its greatest challenge in the 21st century century

Africa is likely to experience higher Africa is likely to experience higher temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and more extreme weather events and more extreme weather events

Estimates show that the external financing Estimates show that the external financing needed to achieve the MDGs in a hostile needed to achieve the MDGs in a hostile climate is 40 per cent higher than the climate is 40 per cent higher than the external financing for the MDGs aloneexternal financing for the MDGs alone

29

Towards an agenda for action

Specific Government agenda for Action

Maintain sound and stable macroeconomic policies; Maintain sound and stable macroeconomic policies;

Improve national capacity to monitor and report on the Improve national capacity to monitor and report on the MDGs. MDGs.

Strengthen MDG-based planning at all levels (tiers) of Strengthen MDG-based planning at all levels (tiers) of government; government;

Scale up public sector investments to achieve the MDGs;Scale up public sector investments to achieve the MDGs;

Promote active private sector, CSO and NGO involvement Promote active private sector, CSO and NGO involvement in efforts to achieve the MDGs;in efforts to achieve the MDGs;

Promote a unified planning framework that provides a Promote a unified planning framework that provides a strong framework – economic, political, and for achieving strong framework – economic, political, and for achieving the MDGs; andthe MDGs; and

Harness the potential of regional integration, including Harness the potential of regional integration, including South-South regional integration.South-South regional integration.

Conclusion

Africa is unequivocally making progress on all Africa is unequivocally making progress on all the targets of the MDGthe targets of the MDG

Rate of progress is however mixedRate of progress is however mixed rapid in some slow in others but all pointing in the same

direction;

With commitment, all the targets are within With commitment, all the targets are within reachreach

Challenge is not to relent in the efforts or panic Challenge is not to relent in the efforts or panic in the face of momentary adverse shocks but to in the face of momentary adverse shocks but to harness all the resources and all the talents of harness all the resources and all the talents of the continent to achieve the goalsthe continent to achieve the goals

Thank youECA, AUC, AfDB, UNDP

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