Role of African countries, institutions and individuals in NEPAD implementation

The NEPAD Secretariat in cooperation with the South African Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Trade and Industry and the NEPAD Business Foundation is hosting a conference entitled “NEPAD Projects Conference : Strengthening Partnerships for Implementation” which will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre on 8-9 October 2007.

The conference builds on previous national processes, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs ; which culminated in the development of the NEPAD Implementation Strategy for South Africa (NISSA).

It forms part of an initiative by the NEPAD Secretariat which is aimed at deepening awareness of NEPAD at country level, and facilitating the integration of NEPAD principles, values and priority programmes into national development plans. It also aims to facilitate partnership building with stakeholders to accelerate NEPAD implementation.

The pilot initiative, which initially focuses on seven SADC member states, — Angola, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia — will be replicated in the regions of Africa.

The following events have already taken place or have been scheduled :

Madagascar, 4-6 June 2007

Mozambique, 2-3 October 2007

South Africa, 8-9 October 2007

Zambia, November 2007

Angola, November or December 2007

Discussions are ongoing with Lesotho and Tanzania .

Since its launch in 2001 NEPAD, through the dedicated support of African Heads of State and Government, has succeeded in transforming Africa’s development paradigm by placing the continent at the centre of the international development agenda and discourse

During this period, NEPAD has gradually ensconced itself as a symbol of hope and a source of inspiration for millions of African citizens and partners around the world.

Nevertheless, there is still a need to deepen the sense of ownership and ensure that the noble ideals and objectives encapsulated in NEPAD are translated into tangible benefits for the ordinary citizens.

This is necessary to spur all Africans to work together to extricate themselves and the continent from the malaise of underdevelopment and exclusion in the global economy.

There is also a need to build on the momentum and significant progress achieved so far.

For example, the NEPAD strategies and priorities have now become the approved framework for Africa’s development and engagement with partners.

The African Peer Review Mechanism, which is a NEPAD innovation and one of its flagship programmes, has received international acclaim.

Further, as a result of the advocacy and leadership by NEPAD, several technical and financial instruments such as the NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF), Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA), Investment Climate Facility (ICF) and the Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund (PAIDF) are now in place.

In addition, strong partnerships have been established with key institutions to provide the necessary technical and financial assistance to support implementation.

In infrastructure the African Development Bank — NEPAD’s lead infrastructure partner – has mobilised more than U$ 3.6 billion for infrastructure projects. These consist of 18 physical projects, including one private sector project, 12 studies and three capacity building projects.

In information technology and communication (ICT), the pilot phase of the NEPAD e-Schools project has been successfully rolled out in more than 15 African countries with preparations ongoing to roll out the business plan across the continent.

The East Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) is also reaching the implementation stage with more than 12 countries signing up to the protocol and private sector interest mobilised.

In agriculture the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations is assisting about 50 African countries in implementing national medium-term investment programmes and developing bankable Investment projects within the framework of NEPAD’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

Significant progress is also notable in education, environment, health, science and technology as well as tourism through donor support, the private sector and partnerships with existing technical institutions such as the centres of excellence in science and technology.

However, significant challenges remain, not least in the realm of scaling-up implementation.

People need to see tangible infrastructure projects, an agricultural revolution, and improved standards of living. Hence, the need to establish and strengthen action- oriented partnerships between government, private sector and civil society, including its intended beneficiaries at community level.

The NEPAD e-Schools initiative provides a classic example of what can be achieved when all key actors and stakeholders pull together.

It is important that African institutions and individuals should take ownership of the NEPAD vision, values, principles and priorities. Without this important step, implementation becomes almost impossible.

Without national and regional ownership, as well as developed, bankable projects, it becomes increasingly difficult to attract substantial investments for already identified NEPAD priority projects.

Bearing in mind that the vision of African leaders and people as articulated in NEPAD remains as relevant today as it was in 2001, the “NEPAD Projects Conference : Strengthening Partnerships for Implementation” and other related initiatives provide an opportunity to ensure alignment, synergies and integration between the NEPAD priorities and those of its key actors and stakeholders. Source : NEPAD