On July 26, 2023, the U.S. entered into a historic partnership with Korea and Japan. At an event hosted by Honorable Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Ghana’s Health Minister, in Accra, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed stating that the three countries’ foreign aid agencies, USAID, KOICA and JICA, will work together to help Ghana achieve its goal of Universal Health Coverage. This marks the first collaborative project between the three agencies and will increase the impact of USAID in Ghana. While JICA, USAID and KOICA have already been working collaboratively in Northern Ghana to provide health care support, the signing of this MOC will produce a more coordinated response, by ensuring, according to JICA, “effective utilization of each organization’s respective health care know-how and resources.”
A Forgotten Region
The partnership will focus on supporting Ghana’s North: the Upper West, Upper East, North East, Savannah and Northern Regions. Global Health initiatives supported by USAID in Ghana have not previously focused on these areas, despite the fact that they require the most aid as they have been excluded from positive trends regarding poverty and life expectancy in the country.
According to a report by the U.N., the percentage of Ghanaians living in poverty fell from 52% in 1992 to 29% in 2006. However, that same report states that, in the Northern Region, the poverty rate only fell from 63% to 52% over the same period, and actually increased in the Upper East Region, from 67% to 70%. From 2006 to 2012, some improvement was observed in these areas, particularly the Upper East and West, where rates declined from 73% to 44% and 89% to 71% respectively. However, progress in the Northern Region was still slow over this period and these three areas still have the highest rates of poverty in Ghana. These high poverty rates mean that Universal Health care will have the greatest impact on Ghana’s North since medical bills are a greater burden for those living in poverty. Additionally, the area currently lacks basic health care services because it is so far away from Accra.
Plan of Action
The agreement will focus on the following three key areas of health care in Ghana:
- Primary (essential) health care
- Health Governance at a regional and district level
- Global health security
Currently, Ghana’s primary health care system is the Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS). For the last 20 years, it has aimed to reduce inequalities relating to health care by providing care in rural communities, particularly to women and children.
The partnership will build on this preexisting system, while also strengthening the quality of health services by working with health centers.
So far, USAID has promised to give $135 million to the project, between 2023 and 2027. KOICA, the Korean overseas aid department, has promised $22 million, while JICA has not yet laid out a figure since it is awaiting approval, but promises to invest its financial and technical resources once that approval is obtained.
This aid could not come at a better time, since the country is currently recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the help from USAID in Ghana in the form of case management and donation and deployment of vaccines. Additionally, Ghana is looking to strengthen its health care system to prevent any future pandemic threats.
Problems to Solve
Ghana is currently facing a vast range of threats to its citizens’ health, one of the greatest being malaria. Malaria is constantly present in all areas of Ghana, and it is among the 15 highest malaria-burdened countries in the world. Around 2% of global malaria deaths can be attributed to Ghana. However, in 2020-2021 cases remained stable and deaths fell by 1.7%, a small margin but a step in the correct direction. Additionally, access to insecticide-treated nets (ITNS) has seen a steady increase and stood at 67% in 2019. However, the use of these nets has not increased at the same rate and was only 43% in 2019.
Another major health problem faced by Ghanaians is HIV/AIDS. A 2019 study found HIV prevalence to be around 1.6%. The groups most affected were men who have sex with men and female sex workers. Currently, Ghana’s strategic plan for HIV, which began in 2021 and will continue through 2025 involves a 95% goal for testing, treatment and viral suppression targets. Aid from the partnership will contribute toward this goal.
This partnership marks a new frontier for USAID in Ghana. By collaborating, the three countries’ aid agencies have the potential to produce a coordinated, more efficient response to improve health care in Ghana, achieve the goal of universal health care and help people living in poverty.
– Lily Cooper
Photo: Flickr
Eliminating TB in India
However, this is no easy feat to accomplish for India. Poor sanitation and crowded areas greatly increase the risk of transmission — a harsh reality for India with 1.4 billion people and 1/10 living below the poverty line. Furthermore, a lack of stable infrastructure, awareness and accessibility add barriers to reducing TB. To combat these poor environmental factors the Indian government has developed a myriad of programs to improve TB outcomes.
Panchayat Initiative
The goal of the Panchayat (a village council) Initiative is to tackle TB on a small-scale village level. By working with local governments the initiative has elevated TB awareness, care and prevention in more than 500,000 villages. This was accomplished by creating TB units that covered five villages each and had members inform residents about TB identification, early diagnosis and treatment.
Ni-Akshay Mitra Campaign
The Ni-Akshay Mitra campaign focuses on reducing the stigma surrounding TB in India. By creating a public government program easily accessible via the internet citizens are able to access vital information. The program offers an array of support ranging from dietary, diagnostic and occupational information. The campaign has already reached over 1 million TB patients and has had success in building a culture aiding the elimination of TB in India. It also highlights nutritional information that recent studies have shown can be instrumental in preventing and reducing TB.
Government Aid
A primary barrier to TB treatment in India is a lack of monetary resources. TB treatment can total about $700 in direct and indirect costs, but the average monthly salary in India is $387. To curb this, India’s Direct Benefit Transfer a government program provides money to TB patients. The program has helped about 8 million patients and distributed $260 million.
The government has also focused on helping citizens with care. Recently developing a family-focused model of care through the Ministry of Health to aid family caregivers in treating TB. Information made easily accessible by the government teaches caregivers through media, videos and animations.
Looking Forward
While there are still barriers and challenges regarding TB that need addressing, such as increasing drug resistance and hindered infrastructure due to the COVID-19 epidemic, India is no doubt ahead of the WHO’s schedule in eliminating TB. Reducing TB is another weight that is lifted off those suffering from poverty and is a great step in working to improve the lives of billions living in India.
– Aditya Arora
Photo: Flickr
5 Organizations Helping Children in Singapore
5 Organizations Helping Children in Singapore
Looking Ahead
While Singapore has been ranked highly in human capital development, there still remains a need to aid those who lack funding and support. These organizations provide children with resources, ambition and courage to grow. Through the 2022 Children Enrichment Programme by Children’s Wishing Well, for example, roughly 80% of children involved became highly motivated to escape the poverty cycle and curate their futures. With the continued efforts of organizations that aid impoverished children in Singapore, these children will grow academically and mentally, given the care and support that allow them to succeed.
– Kristina Gaffney
Photo: Flickr
Tackling HIV/AIDS in Equatorial Guinea
Treatment
In recent years, the main treatment for HIV/AIDS in Equatorial Guinea has been ART, which stands for antiretroviral therapy. This involves patients taking a combination of medicines that help prevent HIV from replicating in the body. This allows for CD4 cells to replenish, which helps fight infection in the immune system. About 41% of those living with the disease in Equatorial Guinea were receiving some type of ART treatment, showing that the country has a ways to go to ensure all citizens infected with the virus receive treatment. Furthermore, just 42% of pregnant women are receiving this treatment. This is especially alarming as pregnant women can pass on HIV/AIDS to their children through birth or through breastfeeding. Helping pregnant women become untransmissible could be one of the best ways to stop the spread of the virus. One becomes non-transmissible through the use of medications and treatments such as ART.
Action Being Taken
In 2014, then President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang, met with the UNAIDS Executive Director to discuss ways forward in combating HIV/AIDS in Equatorial Guinea. They discussed how, in recent years, Equatorial Guinea has opened new treatment centers that provide care for citizens with the disease. This has allowed the nation to reduce the number of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. From 2011 to 2014, pregnant women’s access to ART treatments increased by 13%. Teodoro Obiang promised to work with UNAIDS to help end the epidemic in his country by 2030. While this meeting was promising, little has been said by the Equatorial Guinea government in several years on their current policy on HIV/AIDS and any action being taken.
Outside organizations are also working to fight against HIV/AIDS in Equatorial Guinea. One of these is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). In November of 2022, the organization partnered with the NGO SOS Children’s Villages met with several schools and youth centers near Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea. During these meetings, UNFPA educated the youth on stigmatized topics such as HIV, AIDS, STIs and teen pregnancy and distributed informational materials such as brochures. It is the hope of UNFPA that greater education around these issues will help reduce cases of HIV and AIDS.
Looking Ahead
Currently, many individuals are battling HIV/AIDS in Equatorial Guinea. However, with renewed commitment taken by the government in terms of increased access to treatment for civilians, it is entirely possible that the population can bounce back from this epidemic and drastically reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS.
– Emma Glas
Photo: Flickr
The Kuwait Fund: Small State in the International System
The KFAED typically assists by extending concessional loans to fund development projects in agriculture, energy and transport amongst other vital industries that promote social and economic advancement in recipient states. Over the years, the Fund extensively grew its reach and influence to become a prominent actor in international humanitarian assistance, working toward alleviating the conditions of the most vulnerable worldwide.
A History of Kuwaiti Economic Assistance
Throughout the 1950s, under colonial rule, Kuwait began bargaining for more control over its oil production and wealth and funneling significant amounts to the aid of all seven Sheikhdoms that now constitute the United Arab Emirates (UAE). After its independence, Kuwait was quick to establish the KFAED with the mission of channeling the state’s wealth toward assisting more of its neighboring Arab states.
The Fund rapidly grew and began investing in projects that would become especially prominent in the Middle East. For instance, KFAED’s eighth loan was directed toward the development of the Suez Canal in Egypt. By 1974, the fund had widened its geographical coverage and became involved in projects across continents, eventually reaching nations across Asia, Africa, South America and Eastern Europe.
While the fund started as a 50 million Kuwaiti Dinar (KD) initiative, in the span of a decade it became worth 1 billion KD and constituted the world’s largest foreign aid program at the time. The fund also proved to be resilient, as during the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, the KFAED moved its headquarters to London where it remained operational, and was able to return the following year to resume its operations from Kuwait.
International Humanitarian Aid
The fund has also been quick to respond with humanitarian aid during natural disasters and wars. Figures since 2015 place Kuwait’s foreign aid contribution at more than double the U.N. Official Development Assistance 0.7% commitment target. The fund has also pledged $500 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen and Syria each, making it the third largest donor to Syria since the onset of the war. The KFAED also provided $200 million to Iraq in aid, along with an agreement to postpone $4.6 billion worth of Gulf War compensation owed to it by Iraq.
The fund took it upon itself to take part in co-finance projects with other national, regional and international partners. The KFAED joined the Arab Coordination Group, and in 2016 took part in the Arab-DAC Dialogue on Development held at the OPEC Fund for International Development. In addition, the KFAED’s scope expanded to include offering grants and subsidies to support development initiatives, with its beneficiaries encompassing both governments as well as other organizations.
Partnership with the UNDP
In 2021, the KFAED joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support individuals and communities affected by crises worldwide. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kuwait Fund signed a partnership agreement with the UNDP to support and build resilience in affected areas while assisting them in achieving U.N. Development Goals in the face of new global challenges. The partnership set out to advance what they termed the humanitarian-development-peace nexus which is primarily aimed at recovery and post-crisis stabilization but also tackles poverty, inequality and climate change.
As part of the agreement, the KFAED provided funding for the UNDP’s operations across 170 countries to find long-term solutions and implement durable plans and responses. In the joint projects in Iraq, Jordan and Yemen, the fund contributed a total of $16.5 million. The projects specifically aimed to enhance the living conditions of Internally Displaced People, refugees and asylum seekers by providing access to essential health services, shelter, improving water services and installing solar power. Notably, the joint initiative included building and commissioning the Khan Younis wastewater treatment plant, greatly improving public health and access to water for more than 217,000 individuals in the Gaza Strip.
By 2023, the Kuwait Fund had issued more than 1,000 loans across 105 countries. Ultimately, through the far-reaching initiatives of the KFAED, Kuwait has established itself as a key facilitator and supporter of initiatives aimed at enhancing resilience and supporting the vulnerable in the face of the world’s most urgent crises. The agreement between the Kuwait fund and the UNDP then serves to demonstrate further Kuwait’s growing global prominence at the intersection of international humanitarian aid and development.
– Nadia Asaad
Photo: Flickr
Elderly Poverty in Botswana
Furthermore, even when the elderly attempt to access support, there are many barriers. According to one study from the NIH, Botswana is facing a challenge when it comes to addressing loneliness and social isolation due to the lack of comprehensive policies and programs in place.
Therefore social networking links are particularly weak, and to make things worse, most of the facilities available are particularly difficult to access. Unfortunately, many buildings still do not prioritize accessibility by lacking lifts or ramps.
In particular, a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine in 2019, suggested that the solution to solving elderly poverty and the issues associated with it was to improve social structures. “Services to tackle later-life loneliness and social exclusion need to be more widely available and robust if they are to promote healthy aging and build resilience, support and independence.”
Common Illnesses in Botswana
Due to the majority of those who are elderly in Botswana living in extreme cases of poverty, many suffer from malnourishment, which leads to further health complications later in life.
A study, conducted by the Epidemiol Institute of Health in 2000, which analyzed elderly poverty in Mmankgodi Village, stated, “Among our group of elderly, 69, 21% were classified as moderate or severely malnourished. This indicates that malnutrition is a significant health problem among the elderly in this region.”
Additionally, “Blindness was the single most frequently found physical disability, affecting 10% of the study population. The majority suffered from cataracts, a condition that can be surgically treated.”
However, despite this being the most common condition in the region, the surgery to remove the cataract is only conducted in three hospitals in Botswana. This means that many elderly people eventually become blind, as the treatment required is inaccessible to most.
Current Actions To Support the Elderly
An organization that is currently working in the area to take care of the elderly is the Pabaleong Hospice homecare program, run by the Sisters of Nazareth Charity. The sisters and caregivers who work for the hospice provide support for vulnerable people through doing both home visits and treating them at the 10-bed inpatient facility which is based in Metsimotlhabe.
The charity has so far reached 90 patients who are living at home, and has provided palliative care throughout the country.
Someone who has been supported by the program is a man named Matthew (named changed to protect his privacy). Matthew speaks of having been “woken by pain from an infection in his right leg.” Normally having to walk over a mile to receive treatment, the Pabalelong Hospice program was able to provide support by visiting Matthew’s home, and the sisters have been making visits regularly to ensure that he remains in stable condition.
“I don’t think I could have walked to the clinic today, it is very painful,” Matthew says, rubbing his wound. “I have also run out of bandages, so I am really happy you have come to see me today,” he tells his caregivers.
Despite the success of this program, much more work needs to be done to support the elderly in Botswana. This consists of improvements to health and social care, making infrastructure capable of accommodating those who require special access to buildings and ensuring that an elderly person’s family isn’t the only source of help out there.
– Megan Rose Miley
Photo: Unsplash
USAID Programs in Mali
Agriculture and Food Security
The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that nearly a fifth of the Malian population is affected by food insecurity. This highlights the importance of USAID programs in Mali that combat hunger and help the agriculture sector, which is responsible for 80% of employment in the country. USAID’s “Feed the Future” program, which runs in a number of other countries as well, implements help in a number of ways.
The program works with members of the private sector to incentivize private companies to commit to sustainable agricultural production and the sale of agricultural products in Mali. To aid the highly agriculture-dependent population, the program also provides education to Malian farmers on better farming practices and soil and water conservation techniques. In addition, Feed the Future helps them gain access to better soil, fertilizer and financing, so that farmers are able to increase food production and reduce food insecurity. In the year 2021 alone, Feed the Future was able to assist the nutrition of nearly 2 million children under the age of 5, making it one of the most impactful of all USAID programs in Mali. Feed the Future even branches out into the more political sphere, with USAID representatives working with local government and NGOs to encourage the harmonic use of resources so that food insecurity may be reduced.
Health
Mali is faced with a number of health crises which USAID programs in Mali aim to combat. While the scope of USAID health aid is large, ranging from the provision of training to health workers and medical equipment to health facilities and much more, there are some initiatives that are more targeted at specific health issues. The Presidential Malaria Initiative, for example, is committed to fighting the disease malaria in the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria ranks as one of the leading causes of death in Mali, making work to combat the disease of high importance. By way of the Presidential Malaria Initiative, USAID provides a wide range of aid to both prevent malaria from spreading and treat infected Malians. Malaria prevention measures include the provision of preventive treatments for pregnant women, the distribution of mosquito nets, rapid diagnostic tests and insecticide spray. In addition, USAID treats malaria-infected Malians with fast-acting medicines, to prevent further spread and enable those with the disease to recover from it.
Education
Around 12.5% of Malian children of primary school age do not attend school, according to the WFP. In addition, USAID reports that boys are more likely to be enrolled in school than girls, who are regularly deprived of an education in favor of working in the home. USAID programs in Mali seek to increase school participation and graduation and to increase the number of girls given the opportunity to receive an education.
The USAID program Girls’ Leadership and Empowerment through Education (GLEE) works to decrease the barriers girls face to receiving an education and to empower them to become more independent and less vulnerable to exploitation. Amongst other initiatives, the program supports the establishment of “Accelerated Schooling Centers,” which are learning centers that provide an education to girls who missed out on school years. As of June 2023, USAID reported that 21,745 girls had been enrolled in such institutions, giving them a chance to catch up with their education.
Human Rights
With armed internal conflicts and crises regularly occurring, the human rights situation in Mali is difficult. USAID programs in Mali aim to strengthen democracy, human rights and the justice system in the country.
The Empowering Malians through Elections, Reforms and Governance Efforts (EMERGE) program, for example, aims to inform democratic debate and strengthen fair democratic elections. The program, which was founded by USAID in partnership with the Swiss and Danish stakeholders, has delivered training to nearly 5,500 local election observers and provided accurate information on elections to over 25 million Malians over the radio, in-person and on social media platforms.
Looking Ahead
Mali faces a number of challenges, ranging from food insecurity to disease and education issues. However, some progress has been made, as international aid, including USAID programs in Mali, works to improve the lives of Malians. For example, life expectancy at birth increased by over 10 years in Mali since 2000, per the WHO. Continued and increased aid is needed to continue this trend and ensure that Malians have a better future.
– Patrick Brownlow
Photo: Flickr
Health Care in Comoros
Political Instability and Health Care
The nation has struggled with political unrest since its independence from France on July 6, 1975. Because of recent laws, the average duration of each government has not been longer than six months. These political fluctuations have caused a major toll on health care in Comoros.
During these 41 years of political unrest, Comoros experienced 21 coups, causing a massive health care crisis among the islands. These turbulent years made it harder to implement institutions that provide medical care to all people no matter their socio-economic status.
Health Care Workers
Often, very skilled medical workers choose to migrate out of Comoros. Additionally, ever since its independence, the islands have struggled to distribute health care workers evenly across the country. This demands imperative action in Comoros to increase health care workers and organize better health care distribution processes so all people in Comoros can access safe and effective health care.
Health Issues
A weak health care system leads to illnesses and disorders that go undiagnosed or untreated. In Comoros, the most common health issues include malaria, diarrhea, diabetes, intestinal parasites, respiratory infections and HIV/AIDS, which is less common but equally fatal. These diseases and illnesses left untreated cause significant deaths, most commonly in children and pregnant women.
The revival of old diseases like cholera, chikungunya, malaria and HIV/AIDS points to the political turmoil playing a big role in the poor health services in Comoros. It isn’t just diseases that cause health issues in Comorians, however. Over the years, children have continued to die from chronic malnutrition, illustrating the adverse state of poverty the nation is in.
What is the Problem?
The years of political instability in Comoros have had drastic effects on poverty and health care. As there is no national health insurance in Comoros, the average Comorian will pay 45% of the cost of a health visit out of pocket. This elite group highlights the economic disparities people face in Comoros. Due to the national poverty levels, 60% of health workers in public facilities are unpaid volunteers.
Help in Times of Hardship
Because of the urgent need for a change of health care in Comoros, in 2019, the World Bank approved the Comprehensive Approach to Health System Strengthening Project (COMPASS). It has invested $30 million into the improvement of primary health care in Comoros. Its goal is to prioritize delivering aid to women and children under the age of five as well as to the general population.
The World Bank continues to reinforce better health care in Comoros by providing more accessible and affordable services to the general public. The organization creates better health institutions, trains more workers and provides rehabilitation services to patients. The World Bank also has also given Comoros a large quantity of equipment and vehicles that help medical workers on the islands. The project hopes to deliver quality and time-efficient care to patients with disease and illness outbreaks in Comoros.
Comoros Takes Action
In recent years, Comoros has fought to control malaria, and the nation is close to succeeding, currently in the pre-elimination phase. Furthermore, the Comoros government has worked to reduce health care costs by more than 40% since 2010.
Moreover, the islands have adopted a new national health policy for the period of 2015-2024. This initiative aims to end the cycle of poverty keeping people from accessing the health care that they need in Comoros. By creating more accessible health care the country can help combat the rising amount of devastating diseases that create a huge toll on the population.
– Marina Blatt
Photo: Flickr
4 More Podcasts that Highlight Global Poverty
4 Podcasts that Highlight Global Poverty
Understanding Poverty with Podcasts
This variety of podcasts that highlight global poverty can allow listeners to engage routinely with a subject that has large implications for a fair quality of life throughout the world. Even one episode from any of these podcasts can offer an enlightening and informative experience. Check out these podcasts that highlight global poverty today.
– Katrina Girod
Photo: Unsplash
The Borgen Project podcast is available on Apple, Spotify and most streaming platforms. Subscribe to have the latest episodes appear on your podcast feed. You can also find clips of episodes on YouTube and Tiktok.
Listen to “The Borgen Project Named Top 9 Global Nonprofits… Oh Yeah!” on Spreaker.
USAID in Ghana: A New and Revolutionary Global Health Partnership
A Forgotten Region
The partnership will focus on supporting Ghana’s North: the Upper West, Upper East, North East, Savannah and Northern Regions. Global Health initiatives supported by USAID in Ghana have not previously focused on these areas, despite the fact that they require the most aid as they have been excluded from positive trends regarding poverty and life expectancy in the country.
According to a report by the U.N., the percentage of Ghanaians living in poverty fell from 52% in 1992 to 29% in 2006. However, that same report states that, in the Northern Region, the poverty rate only fell from 63% to 52% over the same period, and actually increased in the Upper East Region, from 67% to 70%. From 2006 to 2012, some improvement was observed in these areas, particularly the Upper East and West, where rates declined from 73% to 44% and 89% to 71% respectively. However, progress in the Northern Region was still slow over this period and these three areas still have the highest rates of poverty in Ghana. These high poverty rates mean that Universal Health care will have the greatest impact on Ghana’s North since medical bills are a greater burden for those living in poverty. Additionally, the area currently lacks basic health care services because it is so far away from Accra.
Plan of Action
The agreement will focus on the following three key areas of health care in Ghana:
Currently, Ghana’s primary health care system is the Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS). For the last 20 years, it has aimed to reduce inequalities relating to health care by providing care in rural communities, particularly to women and children.
The partnership will build on this preexisting system, while also strengthening the quality of health services by working with health centers.
So far, USAID has promised to give $135 million to the project, between 2023 and 2027. KOICA, the Korean overseas aid department, has promised $22 million, while JICA has not yet laid out a figure since it is awaiting approval, but promises to invest its financial and technical resources once that approval is obtained.
This aid could not come at a better time, since the country is currently recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the help from USAID in Ghana in the form of case management and donation and deployment of vaccines. Additionally, Ghana is looking to strengthen its health care system to prevent any future pandemic threats.
Problems to Solve
Ghana is currently facing a vast range of threats to its citizens’ health, one of the greatest being malaria. Malaria is constantly present in all areas of Ghana, and it is among the 15 highest malaria-burdened countries in the world. Around 2% of global malaria deaths can be attributed to Ghana. However, in 2020-2021 cases remained stable and deaths fell by 1.7%, a small margin but a step in the correct direction. Additionally, access to insecticide-treated nets (ITNS) has seen a steady increase and stood at 67% in 2019. However, the use of these nets has not increased at the same rate and was only 43% in 2019.
Another major health problem faced by Ghanaians is HIV/AIDS. A 2019 study found HIV prevalence to be around 1.6%. The groups most affected were men who have sex with men and female sex workers. Currently, Ghana’s strategic plan for HIV, which began in 2021 and will continue through 2025 involves a 95% goal for testing, treatment and viral suppression targets. Aid from the partnership will contribute toward this goal.
This partnership marks a new frontier for USAID in Ghana. By collaborating, the three countries’ aid agencies have the potential to produce a coordinated, more efficient response to improve health care in Ghana, achieve the goal of universal health care and help people living in poverty.
– Lily Cooper
Photo: Flickr
2023 Named the “Year of the African Continental Free Trade Area”
In 2023, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (the AU Assembly) adopted the “Acceleration of AfCFTA Implementation” as the theme of the year. By making 2023 the Year of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the AU hopes to make major breakthroughs in its implementation by increasing the political commitment of member states and the different stakeholders and improving their collaboration.
The AfCFTA Alleviating Poverty
The Year of the African Continental Free Trade Area, one of the major projects outlined in Agenda 2063 of the AU, is set to greatly contribute to the alleviation of poverty in Africa. By eradicating barriers to trade and expanding commerce within the continent, the program has the creation of a unique African market as its goal. It aims to achieve development in a sustainable and inclusive manner and to ensure food security and the development of the agricultural and industrial sectors.
With 55 member states of the AU and an expected 2050 population of 2.5 billion, the AfCFTA is also set to be the world’s largest free trade zone since the World Trade Organisation was formed, and per the World Bank estimates, it will increase the continent’s income by $450 billion by 2035.
All of this will have a major impact on poverty in Africa. The program should enable around 30 million people to leave extreme poverty. Another 68 million will be able to escape moderate poverty. By creating employment and enhancing sustainable development, the AfCFTA will significantly improve the African population’s average quality of life.
The AfCFTA Roadmap
However, 2023 being the Year of the AfCFTA has had non-negligible advantages. In July 2023, the AU’s Mid-Year Coordination Meeting remarked that the negotiations on the “strengthening of infrastructure through the corridor approach”, which had been stalling before, were now completed. The AfCFTA implementation has thus been accelerated and is on the right path to one day generate significant income and jobs for the continent, thus benefiting millions of people in poverty and the world economy.
A Focus on Women and Youth
The AfCFTA project also aims to guarantee socio-economic inclusiveness across the continent by facilitating women’s and youth’s access to cross-border trade. With Africa’s population being the youngest in the world (people under the age of 30 make up 70% of the overall population), and women being major participants of cross-border activities in Africa, their involvement in the development of the AfCFTA is essential. However, social inequalities in Africa impede women’s participation in the economy, thus pushing them into the informal sector. Like young people, women are disproportionately impacted by financial and systematic obstacles and lack of employment.
Among its objectives, the AfCFTA wishes to address this situation by including a Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade in the Agreement on the AfCFTA.
Discussions on the Protocol, which had already been held in 26 countries before the start of the Year of the AfCFTA, have been a forum for African women in trade to shape their participation in the project and address the challenges they face today. The Protocol aims to find solutions to abolish the structural obstacles that women and youth face in trade, such as significant trade tariffs, or gender-based violence.
The inclusion of women and youth in the implementation of this program is paramount to the sound development of the trade area and the African economy. It is also essential to ensure that this important part of the African population is lifted out of poverty and can access better welfare.
The Road Ahead
Despite the progress made in the 2023 Year of the AfCFTA, there is still work ahead to ensure its full implementation. Notably, the project is still in need of investment and hampered by infrastructure issues. However, the AU has made impressive strides toward the trade area’s full development in the past years and in 2023 alone, which shows its eagerness to succeed in this endeavor. If the AU achieves the full implementation of the program, it could mean unprecedented benefits for both the African and world economies. The potential for poverty alleviation it holds would be revolutionary for the African population.
– Kenza Oulammou
Photo: Unsplash