Africa's Critical Choices

Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki is the Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Born in Niger in 1951, he obtained a Master’s Degree from the National School of Public Administration (Enap), Québec, Canada and a PhD in Administrative Sciences from University of Paris I, France. He first worked as professor of Public Administration and Management in Niger and Venezuela during the periods 1978-82 and 1985-87. From 2000 to 2004, Dr Mayaki was a guest Professor at the University of Paris XI, where he lectured on international relations and organizations; he also led research at the Research Centre on Europe and the Contemporary World within that University. His political career started in 1997, when, under the presidency of Ibrahim Bare Mainassara, he joined the cabinet of Niger as Minister in charge for African Integration and Co-operation, before holding the position of Foreign Minister. He was appointed Prime Minister of the country in November　1997. He remained in charge until January　2000. As Prime Minister of Niger, Ibrahim Assane Mayaki played a catalyst role in enhancing the social dialogue in the country. He initiated the creation of relevant technical committees in charge of the negotiations with social partners. He also created the Public Policy Analysis Circle (Cercle d’analyse des politiques publiques), a think tank focusing on health and education policy. He was appointed as NEPAD’s Chief Executive Officer in January　2009.

• Table of contentsPreface 3Introduction 7Africa and globalisation 7A slowdown ripe for reforms 8Ten decisive years 8Using our resources 9The institutional key 9The challenges1. The spectre of recolonisation 13Unfair control of capital? 15Africans have the power 17Civil society has to choose its battles well 192. Migration and trade: Africa has the choice of its tools 21Time for understanding and action 21Changes in migration 23Asymmetrical exchanges and unfair competition 26A wider diversification of partners is urgently needed 273. The threat of competing Africas 31Rupture begets rupture 33The frantic race for first place 34The virtues of diversity 364. African states faced with climate change 39Distress signals are coming from all over Africa 40Adaptation offers an opportunity, butÉ 41The mobilisation of technical and financial resources is indispensable 42Restoring lands, a key to the re--establishment of communities 44Halting climate--induced migration 46A singular voice for Africa 475. Unique and uncontrolled demographics 49Demographic growth is predictable and manageable 50Prevention: the keys to success 51The demographic dividend and the green revolution 53Agricultural corridors: from the informal to the creation of shared wealth 546. African youth, between tradition and modernity 57The digital multiplier effect 58Tradition’s paradoxical compensatory effect 61The keys7. Reclaiming our intellectual sovereignty 65A great disruption 66Foreign investment and why we must be vigilant 67Basic education, universities and research 67Prioritise and measure the effectiveness of education 69Cultural heritage, the pillar of our intellectual sovereignty 708. What pan--Africanism means 73The path to collective emancipation 74Integration, an ambitious political innovation 759. The regional perspective as a solution to national challenges 79Security problems do not respect borders 80The fragmentation of skills 8210. Towards the co--production of public policy 85On the subject of legislative systems 86Citizen engagement and the question of appropriation 8911. The informal sector, new technologies and industrialisation 93Informality is a way of lifeÉ 94É that remains brutal and dysfunctional 95Towards a well--thought--out and smooth transition to the formal sector 96New technologies: tools for employment, access to credit and taxation 98What can governments do to accelerate this transition? 99Information and communications technologies cannot do everything, but they can promote industrialisation 10112. Ruralisation of cities or urbanisation of the countryside? 105The continent’s urbanisation 105African modalities of urbanisation 106Rethinking the relationship between cities and rural areas 108Spillover effects 109The Òcall of the cityÓ is also the call of the countryside 11013. The African farmer, an entrepreneur like any other 113The obstacle of an outdated clichŽ 114How to create agricultural employment 115Alternative financing sources 117The protection of farmers’ rights should be at the heart of future policies 118Epilogue 121Notes 125Glossary 137Index of names 139General index 141About the author 151