Future Africa: Prospects for Democracy and Development under NEPAD

Abstract

2009 marked the 8th anniversary of the adoption of NEPAD as a socio-economic programme of the African Union, whose priority is poverty eradication and regional integration, and as envisioned in the Constitutive Act of the African Union. Amongst many strategies, regional integration is to be attained through the implementation of specific sectoral programmes, particularly in the area of infrastructure development, as well as intra-Africa trade. Regional economic communities (RECs) were designated as regional pillars for delivering on NEPAD objectives. In addition, capacity building of RECs, and member states were identified as critical ingredients for the success of NEPAD. Resource mobilisation, both external, and more importantly domestic, is key thrusts of NEPAD, and so are the principles of African ownership and leadership of the NEPAD process. Most critical to the attainment of the AU vision is the commitment by African leaders to creating the Preconditions for Sustainable...