Africa 2024: Prospects and Forecasts

6 February 2024. Africa 2024: Prospects and Forecasts.  (Edinburgh) 

The Royal African Society and Edinburgh University looked at the Prospects and Forecasts for Africa in 2024. An expert panel examined the political, economic, climatic and cultural outlook for Africa in the year ahead

1. 2024: Africa’s electoral landscape in a global year of elections.
2. Doing business with countries in Africa in 2024: what’s new? Is the African Continental Free Trade Area a reality?
3. What’s it like being an entrepreneur in Africa in 2024? Who are they? Why do they struggle to finance their businesses? Will the African Continental Free Trade Area help?
4. COP28: the first dedicated Health Day at a climate conference. What is the connection between climate impact and health?
5. Global Public Healthcare: What will the upcoming Global State of the World’s Nursing Report mean for Africa? Why is primary healthcare the key to community resilience?
6. Post-pandemic: What has the pandemic response in Africa revealed about both communicable and non-communicable diseases across the continent? How are countries in Africa building their healthcare resilience and self-sufficiency through the pharmaceuticals and research?

• Joyce Onuonga | Director/General Manager of John White & Son
• Dr Tom Molony | Senior Lecturer in African Studies, University of Edinburgh
• Dr Samuel Mwaura | Lecturer in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, University of Edinburgh
• Professor Aisha Holloway | Professor of Nursing Studies and Co-Director of Edinburgh Global Nursing Initiative
• Professor Liz Grant | Assistant Principal (Global Health) and Director of the Global Health Academy at the University of Edinburgh
• Dr Geoffrey Banda | Senior Lecturer in the Science, Technology and Innovation Studies department in the School of Social and Political Sciences at The University of Edinburgh

30 January 2024. Africa 2024: Prospects and Forecasts (London)

An expert panel examined Africa's political, economic, climatic, and cultural outlook in the year ahead. 

1. A global year of elections: Impact of elections on the continent 
2. Debt and the return of IMF austerity: Impact of continued high inflation, food insecurity, and high fuel prices across the continent. 
3. Resilience: are global processes like COP28 able to reach people and businesses on the continent to strengthen their capacity not only to withstand climate and economic shocks but also to grow? How are young populations in African countries leading change? 
4. Justice: How does community-level activism feed into and influence concepts of justice in energy transition? Can grassroots engagement and a greater understanding of these complex issues really power political change in 2024 – the global year of elections? 
5. Creative narratives: Africa’s creative industries have fabulous filmmakers, musicians, artists, writers, and fashion designers. How will their artistry influence 2024? 

• MODERATOR: Janet Rogan |Director and Chief Executive Officer, Royal African Society 
• Razia Khan | Head of Research, Africa and Middle East, Standard Chartered Bank 
• Patrick Smith | Editor, Africa Confidential 
• Moky Makura | Executive Director, Africa No Filter 
• Omnia El Omrani | Youth Envoy for the President of the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) and the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs 
• Samia Dumbuya | Climate Justice Advocate

26 January 2024. Foresight Africa 2024 launch The Brookings Africa Growth Initiative will launch its flagship report, “Foresight Africa 2024,” covering issues such as development financing, climate change, digital economy, entrepreneurship, trade and regional integration, gender, and governance. The report compiles essays and viewpoints from finance ministers, central bank governors, senior policymakers, private sector leaders, heads of foundations, youths, and scholars. Please join us in person or online for the launch of this year’s edition of Foresight followed by a high-level panel discussion of the challenges and opportunities facing the continent.

Resource:

Brookings (2024) Foresight Africa 2024 # 188 p.

This year’s cover emphasizes the existential threat of climate change as a dominant theme. The artwork exemplifies Africa’s position at the epicenter of the climate challenge: A continent that contributes the least to the crisis, serves as both the “lungs” of the world (the Congo, the Okavango, and other river basins), and as a repository of critical minerals vital for the global energy transition. Yet, Africa bears the brunt of devastating climate impacts as evidenced by the havoc wreaked by drought in the Horn of Africa, cyclones in northern Mozambique, and floods in parts of the continent.

1. In Chapter 1, development financing for recovery and growth, the authors share policy options to address the economic challenges facing the continent.  
2. The authors tackle the existential climate change crisis in Chapter 2, highlighting the inequities and the urgent need for increased financial commitments to address the climate crisis. 
3. Chapter 3 is dedicated to the entrepreneurs and small businesses that are responsible for most job creation on the continent. The authors focus on the inclusive and supportive policies needed to foster these ventures and to sustain the high-growth potential of African entrepreneurship. 
4. In Chapter 4, the authors explore the status of economic integration and trade, and the policy actions which member states, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders can take to accelerate the implementation of this landmark agreement. Also explored here are the prospects for US-Africa trade and investment relations in view of AGOA’s imminent expiration in 2025. 
5. In Chapter 5, the authors examine policy options to unlock the digital economy potential necessary for competitiveness and inclusive growth. Fostering an inclusive ecosystem means creating the opportunities and the infrastructure to support all workers and entrepreneurs. 
6. Chapter 6 is dedicated to the women and girls across the continent who, despite setbacks, continue to create and transform the landscape. 
7. Chapter 7, on governance, is focusing on those trends and how African leaders can regain the trust of their citizens and encourage a shift back toward democratization.