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BIENNIAL -REPORT OF
THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
1992-1993
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS iii FOREWORD . . . viii
Chapters
I. PERSPECTIVES OF AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT:
CURRENT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN AFRICA . . . 1
Prospects for 1994-1995 5
II. ACTIVITIES OF THE SECRETARIAT 6
A. Conferences and meetings 6
B. Research and analysis on Africa's
socio-economic development 12
C. Information packaging and dissemination 24
D. Technical assistance 25
1. Advisory services 25
2. Tfaining/seminars/workshops/fellowships 29
3. Field projects 33
III. COOPERATION AND RELATIONS WITH OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS AND PARTNERS 37
A. Central legislative organs of the
United Nations 37
B. United Nations organizations and programmes 37
C. Relations with OAU and ADB: The Joint
OAU/ECAIADB Secretariat 41
D. Relations with Africa's multilateral and bilateral development partner
organizations, IGOs and NGOs 42
IV. PROGRAMME AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 43
1. PROGRAMME ORIENTATION 43
II. ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES 45
V. MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES 49
I. MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES 49
A. Posts for the implementation of the
1992-1993 programme of work . . . 49 B. Status of recruitment . . . 50
C. Career development and training 50
D. Classification 52
E. Peace-keeping missions 52
II. MANAGEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES 52
A. Introduction .. . . 52 B. Resources by source . . . 53 C. Regular budget expenditure by
programme of activity 55
D. Resources mainly for technical
cooperation and operational projects 60
III. MANAGEMENT OF THE CONFERECNE CENTRE PROJECT . . . 65 VI. THE 1994-1995 BlENNUIM IN PERSPECTIVE ECA: ORIENTATION
AND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 67
11
AAF-SAP The African Alternative Framework to Struc-tural Adjustment Programmes for Socio- economic Recovery and Transformation
ACABQ Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions ACC Administrative Committee on Coordination
ACCIS Advisory Council on the Coordination of Information Systems ACP African, Caribbean and Pacific Group
ADB African Development Bank
AFWE African Federation of Women Entrepreneurs AHSCP African Household Survey Capability Pro-grammes AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
CAFRAD African Centre for Administrative Training and Research for Development CAMRDC Central African Mineral Resources Develop-ment Centre
CASD Coordinating Committee on African Statistical Development CCO Central Coordinating Office
CEAO West African Economic Community
CEPGL Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries CFA Communaute financiere africaine
CILSS Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel CPC Committee for Programme Coordination
DESD Department of Economic and Social Develop-ment
DESIPA United Nations Department of Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis
EC European Community
ECA Economic Commission for Africa
III
ECOSOC ECOWAS ED!
ESAMRDC FAO GCA GDP GIS GNP
rxcc
IAEA IBRD ICAO IDDA II IDEP IDRC
!FORD IGADD
!GO ILO IMP IMO IPF ITU
Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Economic Community of West African States Economic Development Institute of the World Bank
Eastern and Southern African Mineral Resources Development Centre Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Global Coalition for Africa Gross domestic product
Geographic Information Systems Gross national product
Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee International Atomic Energy Agency
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development International Civil Aviation Organization
Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa
African Institute for Economic Development and Planning International Development Research Centre of Canada Institut de formation et de recherche demographiques Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development Intergovernmental organization
International Labour Organisation International Monetary Fund
International Maritime Organization Indicative Planning Figure
International Telecommunication Union
IV
LPA LPE MlNISIS MRAG MULPOCs NAFTA NCC NGO NRSE OAD ODA OECD OPEC PADIS
PTA
RASCOM / RIPS
RMC SAAS SADC SAPAM SDPA SIDA STPA
Lagos Plan of Action
Language Proficiency Examination
Integrated Sets of Information System for Mini Computers Multidisciplinary Regional Advisory Group
Multinational Programming and Operational Centres North American Free Trade Area
National Coordinating Committee Non-governmental organization
New and renewable sources of energy Organization of African Unity
Official development assistance
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Organization of Petroleum Exporting Coun-tries
Pan-African Documentation and Information System Preferential Trade Area
Regional African Satellite Communications System Regional Institute for Population Studies
Resource Mobilization Committee
Sudan Academy for Administrative Sciences Southern African Development Community
Special Action Programme for Administration and Management in Africa Statistical Development Programme for Africa
Swedish International Development Agency Statistical Training Programme for Africa
v
TNCs TSS UDEAC UMA
Transnational corporations Technical Support Services
Central African Customs and Economic Union Arab Maghreb Union
UN-NADAF United Nations New Agenda for the Develop-ment of Africa in the 1990s UNCED United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
UNCHS-
HABITAT United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNDCP United Nations International Drug Control Programme UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNFPA United Nations Population Fund
UNHQ United Nations Headquarters
UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIFEM United Nations Development Fund for Women UNSTAT United Nations Statistical Division
VI
UPU Universal Postal Union WHO World Health Organization
WHO/AFRO World Health Organization/Regional Office for Africa
vii
ninth session of the Commission and twentieth meeting of the Conference of Ministers responsible for Economic and Social Development and Planning covers the period 1992-1993, the first biennium of the 1992-1997 Medium-term Plan.
The 1992-1993 biennium may be termed a period of introspection on the orientation of the work of the Commission and of the development challenges that African countries confront. The need for such a reflection is borne out of the scope and nature of the organization's task which is such that its structures, operations and functions should be subjected to constant renewal. The review has had an important impact, particularly, on the work programme and intergovernmental machinery.
The most significant outcome of the review of the work programme was the regrouping of the subprogrammes, leading to their reduction from twenty-one to nine. This was designed to promote synergy among related subprogrammes and, at the same time, deepen the impact of the Commission's work in support of member States. The reorganization of the intergovernmental machinery of the Commission was also completed during the period. Two main objectives were accomplished from that reorganization, namely the reduction in the number and frequency of meetings of the many organs of the Commission, and the elimination of seeming duplication and overlap in the functions of some intergovernmental meetings.
The reform of the programme structure and of the intergovernmental machinery proceeded alongside reflections on development challenges confronting African countries. The product of the latter effort was the articulation of Strategic objectives for Africa's economic development in the 1990s, presented to the 1993 meeting of the Conference of Ministers. The Commission has drawn many important lessons from the reflections on both the work programme and development policy in Africa, which will form the basis of action in the 1994-1995 biennium and beyond. As a corollary, searching for ways and measures to improve management of development was a key concern. In response, ECA convened an international conference in 1993 to reflect on the experiences of management of development in Africa in the past 30 years. The Strategic Agenda for Development Management in Africa in the 1990s adopted at that conference constitutes a blueprint for action.
Though it had been hoped that Africa's economic performance would show improvements beginning in the early 1990s, economic growth in the 1992-1993 biennium remained lackluster. Thus resumption of economic growth and restoring the development momentum in Africa was the common thread that ran through the substantive activities of the secretariat of the Commission in the 1992-1993 biennium. In this context, great importance was attached to promoting the implementation of plans and strategies for African economic development and integration. Thus the Commission intensified efforts in support of the implementation of the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s and the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community as well as second Industrial Development and Transport and Communications Decades.
The international consensus on environmentally sustainable development that has been evolving over the years culminated in the adoption ofAgenda21 at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in June 1992. The Commission actively assisted its member States to prepare for the Summit. For example, it collaborated with other organizations of the United Nations system and other African regional institutions in formulating an African Common Position on Environment and Development which served both as Africa's negotiating platform at the Rio Earth Summit and a plan of action in promoting environmentally sustainable development in individual countries. Subsequent to the Earth Summit, ECA formulated the African Strategies for the Implementation of Agenda 21 and the African Common
Vlll
During the period under review, early promising signs of peace and reconciliation began to emerge in some African countries that have been mired in conflicts or civil strife for a prolonged period. The Commission recognized that if peace is to endure in those countries, efforts at political reconciliation must be underpinned by economic rehabilitation and reconstruction which, in tum, must be linked to long-term development. This provided the impulse for assisting affected countries in drawing up master plans for rehabilitation, reconstruction and development. As more African countries emerge from the ravages of conflicts and grapple with the task of reconstruction and development, they can be sure of ECA's support. The peace dividend can only go to enhance accelerated growth and development in these countries.
For an organization like ECA, efforts at institutional reform and renewal mustbe unceasing, if it is to remain at the forefront of policy innovations on Africa's socio-economic development. The 1992-1993 biennium coincided with the end of 35 years of ECA' s dedicated service to Africa. During this past period, ECA has gained but also shared a lot of insights on Africa's development experience.
The processes for reform that have been set in motion in the 1992-1993 biennium would continue, bearing in mind that in all we do serving the member States to achieve their stated goals of economic and social development is the most important consideration.
Layashi Yaker Under-Secretary-General Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa
April 1994
IX
CURRENT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVEWPMENTS IN AFRICA
Since the tum of the present decade, the global politico-economic landscape has continually changed. This has been particularly evident in the break-up of the Soviet Union, the emergence of several independent States from the former East European bloc of countries, the realignment of geo- economic relations into major regional trading blocs and, in Africa, the rapid pace towards greater democratization with attendant civil strife and social unrest in many countries. This has been the canvass against which the member States of the Commission have continuedto pursue macroeconomic policies and programmes for socio-economic development.
This chapter provides a brief overview of the economic and social situation during 1992 and 1993 and prospects for 1994-1995. These conditions are reviewed in greater detail in the Survey of Economic and Social Conditions in Africa (1992-1993) and the Economic Report on Africa, 1994.
The policies pursued by the majority of countries during the biennium have, on the whole, emphasized greater rigour particular!y as regards the management of the fiscal deficit. The budget deficit for the region as a whole has been brought to more acceptable levels as a proportion of GDP.
Thus, whereas in 1989 this proportion was estimated at 10.6 per cent, the figure had dropped to 5.4 and 6.5 per cent in 1991-1992 and 1992-1993 respectively. There was, however, unavoidably, a corresponding decrease in overall investment expenditure which now accounts for about 25 per cent of expenditure as against 40 per cent four years previously. Thetax effort was especially constrained by the poor performance of tax revenues from international trade sources. In the circumstances, growth-promoting impulses were mainly sought through more liberalization measures including the privatization of public sector enterprises. The supporting programmes for these measures have not, however, always been adequately funded. Economic performance in the region has, accordingly, been rather lackluster during the two-year period under review.
The mean annual rate of growth of GDP during 1992-1993 was estimated at 1.05 per cent with an average annual rate of 0.7 per cent for 1992"and 1.4 per cent for 1993, both of which fell well below the 6 per cent average rate set in 1991 under the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s and hardly reached half of the 3 per cent growth forecast at this time last year.
Apart from the difficult international economic environment marked by stagnation in the industrialized countries, the main factors affecting the prospects of continuing growth and development in the region as a whole have been the continuing civil conflicts and political instability in several countries. The incidence of natural disasters such as drought in two subregions has also been a contributing factor.
Three categories of countries have been distinguished for the examination of the negative consequences of civil strife and political crises on economic performance. The first category includes countries still mired in conflicts; the second are those in which relative peace has been restored; and the third are those countries which are just emerging from political and social turmoil. Four countries - Angola, Liberia, the Sudan and Somalia - belong in the first category. The state of war in Liberia has had serious spill-over effects on Sierra Leone. An extreme case is that of Somalia, where economic production has collapsed, although outside Mogadishu, there has been a resumption of activity, mostly agricultural. In Angola, the civil war has uprooted millions of people, severely disrupted trade and transport and inflicted severe damage on infrastructure. In Rwanda, the signing
of a peace accord among the various parties raised a degree of hope but the situation in Burundi has led to woeful consequences.
In the second category of countries where relative stability has been restored after prolonged conflict, public policy has focused on the pressing issues of resettlement of refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons and demobilized soldiers; clearing of land mines; rehabilitation of infrastructural facilities and institutions; and economic reconstruction. The relative priority attached to these issues varied among countries within this category which included Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda. All these countries are seeking the international support needed to cope with the imperative necessity to rebuild and rehabilitate. Until these countries are able to restore their infrastructure and resettle the large number of persons in dire need of help, not only will their economic performance lag but political and social cohesion will remain very fragile. Still, judging from the estimated rate of economic growth in 1993 of 9.3 per cent in Ethiopia, 5.6 per cent in Mozambique and 7.1 per cent in Uganda, these countries appear set on course, barring unforeseen developments, to reap the benefits of peace from what are obviously very difficult beginnings.
The number of countries in the third category where political crisis or turmoil constrained the pursuit of positive economic policies have increased in the biennium. Paradoxically, many such political crises were linked to the democratization process. These political crises manifested themselves in the form of disputes over election results between incumbent governments and opposition parties or the abrupt termination of the transitional process as a result of acts of violence. In all such cases, deterioration of the economy has been an inevitable consequence.
While the economic impact of the various political crises on the economic performance of the affected countries has been difficult to assess accurately, their consequences have been very clear in some cases. Thus, Zaire experienced a fall of 4 per cent in output in 1993, after a more severe contraction in output of 12 per cent in 1992. In Nigeria, though the economy might have grown by about 3.7 per cent, this has been far below the average annual rate growth of 6.2 per cent in the 1988-
1992 period. In the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, lower oil production and the embargo have restrained growth.
Agriculture production recovered in 1993, particularly in Southern Africa where an exceptional drought broke out in the preceding year. A good indicator of the level of production is the aggregate cereal production, which in 1993 rose to 82.8 million tons after falling to 79.5 million tons in 1992.
In Southern Africa, production rose above the 1991 level of 19.6 million tons to 23.1 million tons, after 9.8 million tons only in 1992. However, drought was severe in the Maghreb countries in 1993, and in Morocco, production was poor for a second consecutive year, the cereals crop being a mere 2.9 million tons, less than a third of the 8.7 million tons harvested in 1991.
Despite better crops in 1993, food shortages have remained acute in many areas. In Angola, fighting has been intense since the end of 1992, with millions of the rural population displaced and famine breaking out in several areas. In Somalia, a better harvest and massive food aid have stabilized the food situation, which remains however fragile.
The increase in agricultural value added for 1992-1993 (taking 1990 as the base year) was only 0.4 per cent, with 1992 and 1993 recording -0.7 and 1.5 per cent respectively. For the period 1990- 1991, the increase was 1.9 per cent. What is worth noting, nevertheless, is that the increase of agricultural value added for the 32 African least developed countries was 3 per cent in 1992.
Oil production apparently fell in 1993 to an estimated 333.1 million tons compared to 339.8 million
tons
in' 1992, or by 2.3 per cent. This was due to Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) mandated cuts, capacity limits, the effect of civil war in Angola and production declines in Cameroon and Tunisia. For the first time in years, the production of non-OPEC members fell to 93.4'million tons, compared to 95.4 million tons in 1992. In Cameroon, production reached 6.4 million tons, in sharp decline from 8 million tons in 1989. .Oil prices have been on a downtrend since the beginning of 1993, despite measures taken by OPEC to stabilize prices. By the end of the year,oil prices had fallen to nearly $13.5 per barrel for Brent crude, and on average had lost some 12 per cent compared to 1992.
The declining trend in African mining production has been maintained in 1993. In Zaire, damage to equipment in Shaba.province has been considerable and according to some press reports there may be no copper produced in 1994. In 1993, copper production was under 200,000 tons when there was capacity for at least 500,000 tons. Zaire's cobalt production, which was 14,500 tons in 1986, was around 3,000-4,000 tons in 1993.
Export performance has not been favourable in 1993, due to poor external demand and reduced economic growth. In value, exports may have fallen by 2.7 per cent to $72.0 billion, after declining by 1.1 per cent in 1992. Prices of most commodities have dropped, the IMF index for non-fuel commodities showing a fall of 3.8 per cent in 1993, compared to 0.2 per cent only in 1992. An ECA index of the wholesale prices of African exports (oil not included) shows a large 6.4 per cent fall, compared to 5.0 per cent in 1992. Beverage prices recovered in 1993, starting from the third quarter, after producers took measures to reduce supply. Whereas cocoa prices rose only slightly by 1 per cent, coffee prices rose by 22.2 per cent (Uganda coffee) to an average of 44.1 US cents per pound.
Imports are estimated at $74.5 billion in 1993, 4.5 per cent more than in 1992, which means that the trade balance has worsened. In fact, the current account deficit is around $12.4 billion, twice the 1992 figure of $6.1 billion, which amounted to nearly 2 per cent of the region's gross product.
There are as yet no complete figures on net resource flows to the region during 1993.
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), these flows have remained, in volume, at practically the same level in 1991-1992, showing a significant 16 per cent drop compared to 1990. According to the World Bank, net resources flows were of $21.9 billion in 1993, rising by 5.3 per cent but this is at current prices, and World Bank data are not strictly comparable to those of the OECD. In any case, at current prices, World Bank data show net flows increasing from 1985 to 1990, and then substantially declining thereafter.
Debt, which fell in 1992 because of the reduction of Egypt's debt and the relative inability of sub-Saharan African countries to obtain new resources, has risen by 2.4 per cent in 1993 to reach
$285.4 billion. Otherwise, there has not been any fundamental change in debt indicators. There has been a net easing of the burden of debt in sub-Saharan Africa, where the debt-service ratio has.fallen to 13.2 per cent in 1993 compared to 19.5 per cent in 1990, and the ratio of debt to goods and services exports was down to 310.6 per cent compared to 313 per cent in 1992. This has been in contrast to the situation in North Africa (including the Sudan) where the pressure of debt servicing has been worsening, particularly in Algeria.
During 1992-1993, the social situation continued to deteriorate because State budget spending was reduced in pursuit of orthodox structural adjustment programmes (SAPs). Existing infrastructural facilities deteriorated because of civil strife and social turmoil. In many countries, there has been a sharp drop in the rate of school enrolment and attendance. In the health sector, endemic diseases such as cholera, tuberculosis and meningitis have been breaking out, not to mention a faster spread of the AIDS virus which, if current trends continue, will infect nearly 20 million Africans by the year 2000.
The table below shows the major African economic indicators for 1992-1993.
Africa: economic indicators (percentage growth)
1990 1991 1992 1993
GDP growth 1990 prices
Developing Africa 1.9 2.0 0.7 1.4
North Africa* 2.0 1.9 1.5 0.1
Sub-Saharan Africa 1.7 2.1 0.5 2.0
Oil exporters 1.9 2.1 1.7 1.0
Non-oil exporters 1.8 1.8 -0.7 1.9
African LDCs 0.7 0.7 -0.1 2.9
Agriculture value added -0.3 4.1 -0.7 1.5
(1990 prices)
Mining value added -
(1990 prices) 6.3 4.2 0.3 1.0
Oil production (million tons) 319.5 335.1 339.8 333.0
Consumer prices (1990= 100) 15.2 30.3 40.1 35.5
Oil price (Brent crude, $/b) 23.99 19.99 19.34 17.66
Commodity prices (1990=100)** -4.0 -3.0 -5.1 -6.4
Exports ($ billion) 75.5 74.5 73.7 71.7
Imports ($ billion) 72.4 71.5 74.6 74.5
Current account balance 2.5 -4.2 -6.1 -12.4
($ billion)
Debt service (%) 25.8 25.6 23.7
...
Source: ECA.
* With the Sudan.
** Without the Sudan.
Prospects for 1994-1995
Economic prospects for the next biennium are uncertain and there are few grounds for optimism. One worrying trend is the persistent and widespread character of political conflicts around the region. In North Africa, some countries face destabilization factors. In other parts of the region, civil wars are going on in a number of countries, while in others,_ the situation remains unstable.
Another unfavourable element is recession in industrialized economies particularly the European Community (BC) countries which are the main partners of the region. This is reflected in poor demand for African exports and reduced or stagnating resource flows. More and more traditional partners showinga marked reticence to continue aid and cooperation as usual, and more and more new conditionalities being attached to aid. In addition to the above, it appears than even though crop prospects are generally favourable and food aid requirements lower, a dangerous situation is developing in the Hom of Africa because of drought while famine is threatening countries such as Angola, Burundi, Liberia, Mozambique, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. In these conditions, output growth cannot be expected to exceed the 3 per cent mark, and will probably remain in the 2-2.5 per cent range.
The recent 50 per cent devaluation of the CFA franc is another short-term destabilization factor in the economies of affected countries. This is, of course, a disheartening prospect which requires urgent and steady measures from African Governments. While the region stagnates, other regions of the world are progressing rapidly, and in the advanced countries, major changes are taking place'; such as the formation of the trading blocs of the EC and North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA).
African countries should therefore, at the very least, create subregional markets if they are to avoid the further marginalization of the region.
CHAPTER
n
ACTIVITIES OF THE SECRETARIAT
During the biennium 1992-1993, the Commission continued to address issues of sustainable African economic recovery, development and cooperation as mandated in various resolutions adopted by the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Commission itself.
Specifically, the activities focused on the promotion of reform measures to bring about structural change in the region as advocated in the major regionally agreed development policy and strategy frameworks such as the Lagos Plan of Action (LPA) , the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s (UN-NADAF), the African Alternative Framework to Structural Adjustment Programmes for Socio-economic Recovery and Transformation (AAF-SAP) and the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community.
The activities undertaken covered a wide range of issues and concerns spanning the broad spectrum of areas that constitute the programme of work and priorities of the Commission. These included macro- and micro- development issues and policies; human resources development and utilization; information systems development; economic cooperation and integration; agriculture and .rural development; marine affairs; the special problems of the least developed, land-locked and island countries; public administration and fiscal affairs; social development; women in development;
environment and development; human settlements; industrial development; trade development and cooperation; the external debt crisis; monetary and financial policies and strategies; natural resources and energy, including new and renewable sources of energy; science and technology for development;
population; transport and communications; tourism; and statistical development.
The activities carried out can be grouped around four main categories, namely conferences and meetings; research whose analyses and findings were embodied in technical and other publications of the Commission; information packaging and dissemination; and technical assistance through advisory services, workshops, seminars and training, fellowships and operational field projects.
The Conference of Ministers responsible for Economic and Social Development and Planning conscious of the trends that are emerging in Africa and the world and the challenges that Africa faces in the new world order that is now taking shape elaborated some strategic objectivesfor Africa'S development in the 1990s and beyond.
These objectives, of necessity, reaffirm the long-standing objectives identified over the years and the strategies that have been adopted to attain them. Strategies have to
recognize, as their point of take-off, Africa's potentials and vulnerabilities.
A. Conferences and meetings
Conferences and meetings remain an important mode of intervention in support of the region's development. Various fora were used for reviewing and sharing experiences on critical development issues, both at the international level and within the continent, and for formulating and adopting policies and strategies.
The annual meetings of the Conference of Ministers responsible for Economic and Social Development and Planning were primarily preoccupied with the revitalization of the Commission to
make it more responsive to the development needs and aspirations of member States and with redefining the strategic objectives for Africa's development in the light of the prevailing changes.
The themes under which these meetings convened in 1992 and 1993 respectively, namely New directions for the Economic Commission for Africa in the 19905 and Taking Africa lnto the twenty-first century: Implementation. of the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community; and Agenda 21, reaffirmed ECA's resolve to remain a major force in Africa's development. They also reflected the fact that African countries can only achieve sustained growth and development through economic integration that expands productive possibilities and market opportunities through the exploitation and effective' management of the region's abundant natural resources in ways that maintain the integrity of the African ecosystem.
The message from these meetings has been clear. For the remainder of the 1990s and beyond, African countries would need to increase their efforts to mobilize domestic resources and to boost economic efficiency and productivity in the utilization of scarce resources - not just to offset possible reductions in external flows, but also to enhance Africa's attractiveness asa destination for international financial resource flows in the new era of intensified competition for global savings. At the same time, Africa's partners in development in the international community have a crucial role to play by lending enthusiastic support to the region's political and economic reforms and by maintaining adequate flows of vital complementary external financial resources that are required to sustain Africa's recovery, growth, transformation and sustainable development.
In meeting these challenges, the annual meetings of the Conference of Ministers reviewed and endorsed regional strategies and approaches on a broad range of overall, sectoral and organizational concerns. Noteworthy among these are "The Economic Commission for Africa in the 1990s: A policy and management framework for facing Africa's development challenges", "Strategic objectives for Africa's economic development in the 1990s", "Strategies for financial resource mobilization for Africa's development in the 1990s" and "African Strategies for the Implementation of Agenda 21 and the African Common Position on Environment and Development".
After a decade in which most people in Africa suffered a significant decline in living standards, development management, including planning, has assumed critical importance. Itis in this context that the need for reform and re-definition of the role of public management prompted the secretariat to take the initiative to bring African countries and various relevant actors together at a conference organized within the "Special Action Programme for Administration and Management (SAPAM)"
project. The Conference on "Development management in Africa: Thirty years of experience, emerging challenges and future priorities", which examined development management in Africa over the last three decades and the emerging challenges and priorities facing African policy makers, adopted the policy document "Strategic Agenda for Development Management in Africa in the 19905" which proposed measures for meeting-the development challenges of the region. The basic philosophy of this Agenda was the recognition of the mutual responsibility of governments, private sector and non- governmental (voluntary) organizations to Africa's socio-economic revitalization. The Agenda stresses priority areas for enhancing development management, identifies key policy measures for increasing entrepreneurial capacity and private sector development. Italso recommends salient areas for policy concentration at the national, regional and international levels if Africa is to experience speedy and positive development. In this regard, emphasis was placed on decentralized governance, enhanced popular participation, the promotion of people's organizations and NGOs, the role of education and training, and the increased use of modern information technology.
The seventh session of the Joint Conference of African Planners, Statisticians and Demographers reaffirmed the relevance of the Lagos Plan of Action (LPA) and the Pinal.Act of Lagos (PAL) as Africa's basic programme for socio-economic development and transformation in the 1990s and beyond. Italso reaffirmed faith in the LPA through the adoption of a resolution proposing the strengthening of the follow-up mechanism of the LPA in the 1990s. In this context, the session underscored the need for improvements in planning apparatus and machinery, including statistical data analysis, forecasting models and information technology.
In the area of food and agriculture, the primary concerns addressed at various fora organized by the secretariat were the promotion of food security at the country and subregional levels and the need for the formulation of food security strategies. These were to include strategies for launching and ameliorating databases for the promotion of food security covering production, processing and consumption with emphasis on early-warning systems at subregional and regional levels. Similarly, the introduction of other food items into the region's food basket, infrastructural improvement in support of agriculture, the establishment of organized channels for the marketing of agricultural products including cattle, and the reduction of post-harvest losses were also considered as critical to the attainment of the region's food security objectives. A very important component in promoting food security was the exploitation of fisheries resources through intercountry cooperation with emphasis on research technology, training, conservation and processing and concerted action in the area should be encouraged. An essential element in the proposed strategies is the need for rural transformation through improvement in institutions providing health, education and other services so as to deter rural- urban migration, a well-developed industrial sector and energy base.
The importance of human settlements issues to socio-economic development and changes was the emphasis of some of the conferences and meetings held. Itwas widely acknowledged that human settlements encompassed almost all activities and needs of man, including social and economic ones.
Human settlements development programmes and policies should, therefore, be an integral part of socio-economic development. To ensure the integration of human settlements policies and programmes into national socio-economic planning, the objectives, goals and priorities of human settlements should be a top priority of high-level policy makers. Policies and strategies covering such important issues as urban-rural imbalance, urbanization, occupational profiles, infrastructure and services, sustainable shelter delivery, physical planning, human resource development and natural resource management were recommended for facilitating the achievement of sustainable human settlements development in Africa.
The main conferences held in the area of environment artd development focused on consultations between member States prior to the June 1992 Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The major outcome of these consultative meetings was the final adoption by the ECA Conference of Ministers in 1992 of an African programme on environment and development which defined the scope of Africa's environmental concerns and issues. These were clearly presented in the African Common Position on Environment and Development which was also adopted by this meeting. The Common Position, which emphasizes the linkage between environment and development, provides a framework for translating the objectives of Agenda 21 into a programme of action. Accordingly, various meetings underscored the importance for Africa to carefully manage the use of the environment as this was vital to realize the region's objective of sustainable development. Africa must accept that environmental problems are rooted in poverty that creates environmental pressures expressed in over-exploitation of the resources leading to ecological stress and ultimately environmental degradation and desertification.
As already indicated, in addressing the pressing environmental issues confronting the region, the 1993
meeting of the Conference of Ministers responsible for Economic and Social Development and Planning adopted the "African Strategies for the Implementation of Agenda 21".
The Conference of African Ministers of Trade was very much preoccupied with the changes taking place in international trade relations, including the creation of larger trading blocs in other regions, the uncertainty surrounding the conclusion of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations and the collapse of major international commodity agreements.
The Conference, among other things, urged African countries to implement the policies and measures contained
in
the "Strategies for Revitalization, Recovery and Growth of Africa's Trade in the 1990s and Beyond", as they still constitute an adequate framework for promoting Africa's trade.For African nations, the priority should be promotion and expansion of domestic and intra-African trade through, among others, the transformation of African raw materialsin order. to increase value addedto African exports and implementation of trade liberalization schemes. In this connection, the Joint OAU/ECA/ADB Secretariat, when preparing protocols in the trade and customs sectors which would operationalize the relevant provisions of the Abuja Treaty, should closely involve Ministers of Trade of all OAU member States in the finalization and implementation of such protocols.
Statement issued by the Executive Secretary On the
SIGNING of the FINAL ACT OF THE URUGUAY ROUND
117 countries have now signed the Finol Act ofthe Uruguay Round ofMultiltJteral Trode Negotiations. This is parodoxically Illkingplacein on era of emerging trodiJ.g blocs.
The Uruguay .Round is a uniqueundertakingin that, beyond the traditionallllrif{ focus of the former GATT agreements, it addresses otherpolicies and "grey areas" such as non-tariff measures, services, intellectualproperty rights, agriculture, textiles, cultural goods and services etc...
Needlesstosay that discussions on some0/these issues are likely to transcend the signing of the Final Act.
Asa member of the world community of nations, Africa cannot be oblivious of evolutions in the world troding systems.
The Agreement will, hopefully open up the world markets, promole the expansion of worldtrade with the ultimate objective of curbing the current world recession and revitoli1.ing the world economy. The expectation is that the beneficialeffeets of the UruguayRoand woaldeventually trickle downtodeveloping countriessucb as those in Africa. Among Ihe benefits are the revitoli1.a- lion of their trade and the recovery and the developmentof their economies.
11isnevertheless obvioustiuuthe, Uruguay Round Agreemententailsincreased liherali.zatWn of the world economy, a world of "all out competition"for which Africa is not yet prepored. The preferences concededto Africa in a number oftrode agreements have slllriedbeing erodedwilh the extension ofthesepreferences10other nations in the worldby Africa's partners. Giventhepresent low prodactivity in Africa, the loss of these concessions will no doubt continue to negatively affect Africa's posiuo« in the world IIUIrket.
In the emerginggeneralked competitive environment, Africa tendstotoseas the continent'stradeismostlyat"sellers'market"
for importsandat "buyers' market" for exports. Under these conditions, Africa's terms of trade are likely to worsen, unlessthe Agreementissubsequentlycoupled wilh enhanced resourceflows to the continent through specwllydesignedconcessians sach as the alleviation of the continent's debt the buading of mach needed infrastructures and to help diversifyiJs economies so astoalJract increasedforeign direct investmentsinitsproductive sectorswith a view toimprovingUs competitiveness. Africa is a continentin transition andinneed of timeto adjuslto today's world of competition. It is in this context that I see the GATT Urugaay Round Agreemenl.
Layashi Yaker
UnisedNationsUnder-Secretary-General, Executive Secretary of ECA
In the field of industrial development, the Conference of African Ministers of Industry and related technical meetings reviewed progress made in industrialization in Africa, and specifically in the implementation of the programme for the second Industrial Development Decade for Africa (lDDA II). These meetings elaborated measures for the rapid industrialization of the region, cognizant of the fact that the primary responsibility for industrialization in Africa rests with the African countries themselves. In this respect, African countries were called upon to adopt concrete measures to create and sustain an enabling environment for fostering the development of the private sector and entrepreneurship including political and social stability, good governance, the promotion of the role of women in industrial development, the development of multifaceted training programmes for enhancing skills to provide a basis for industrialization, increased trade among African countries and human resources development to ensure the creation and strengthening of African scientific, technological, financial, management and entrepreneurial capacities. Resolutions and declaration of intentions were adopted to underscore the need for an accelerated industrial recovery and development which must be built around the promotion of basic industries.
The deteriorating economic and social conditions of the least developed countries (LDCs) was addressed by the Conference of Ministers of African Least Developed Countries. The peculiar problems of the LDCs were a consequence of both external and internal factors which can only be mitigated through appropriate policies that make long-term development needs a priority and stimulate indigenous entrepreneurial initiatives. To this end, the internalization of the development process, giving special support to the mobilization of domestic capital, attainment of self-sufficiency in food production and the diversification of the export base were considered as important factors in the sustainable development of LDCs. However, with the debt situation making it impossible to realize any gains in the implementation of the Programme of Action for LDCs in the 1990s, the issue of debt overhang should receive foremost attention.
The question of women in development received the attention of many conferences and meetings organized by the secretariat during the period 1992-1993. These meetings basically concentrated on the review of the situation of women within the context of the implementation of the Abuja Declaration on Participatory Development: The Role of Women in Africa in the 1990s and the Nairobi Forward- looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women. The reviews and appraisals revealed that the situation of women had deteriorated, especially in countries of Africa experiencing economic stagnation or negative growth, continued population increase and a growing burden of debt as they have constrained opportunities for women to improve their conditions and hence their contribution to development. The role of women in non-traditional development areas such as the promotion of peace and conflict resolution and in the context of the implementation of the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community and Agenda 21 was amplified. For women to be more effective, programmes that ensure women's employment, access to health, productiveresources, decision-making power and science and technology should be promoted. The forthcoming fifth African Regional Conference and the fourth World Conference on Women presented challenges for developing a platform in the interest of women of the region. It was recognized that everyone must engage in serious reflection on the role of women, particularly rural and poor women, and on how it could be enhanced to ensure the maximum participation of this non-participating majority in the development process. The major outcomes of these meetings were the proposals for the establishment of an African Federation of Women Entrepreneurs, which has since been launched, and the establishment of a bank for women.
Both the third meeting of the Conference of African Ministers of Tourism and the subregional Conferences of African Ministers of Tourism underscored the tremendous potential tourism has in contributing to the development of the region. At these meetings, in-depth reflections were made on cooperation for the development and promotion of tourism. Itwas unanimously concluded that tourism development must be in the context of economic integration and its relative contribution to the establishment of the African Economic Community. In this spirit, tourism development was acknowledged as a source of hope for the region which would not only contribute to economic growth, but also serve to help Africans know and interact with one another peacefully. In this regard, tourism development officials were urged to take the necessary measures to ensure that the policies adopted at the meetings are fully implemented by the sector.
The fifth Regional Conference on the Development and Utilization of Mineral Resources in Africa discussed the development and management of the region's natural resources.within the theme
"MineraI resources development and the environment in Africa", with particular emphasisdirected at policies and practices for the protection against damage to the physical environment in the process of mineraI development and the increased contribution of mineral industries towards the economic and social advancement of the region. The Conference proposed a wide range of recommendations for implementation by those involved in mineral development in the region including governments, the private sector, intergovernmental and international organizations and other relevant bodies. These parties to development were urged to share their experiences regarding the promotion of private investment in the mineral industries, develop capacities and capabilities for environmental management in the process of mineral development with intensified cooperation among the countries in these activities, create a general environment for the sustainable development of mineral resources through such measures as training at all levels, information exchange, promotion and establishment of national and regional associations of related mineral industries, promotion of investment in the mineral industries and promotion of the integration of the mining industries with other socio-economic sectors at national, subregional and regional levels.
The importance of cartographic and remote sensing services to natural resources development and management was the focus of the eighth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Africa which was held from 22 to 26 February 1993 at the headquarters of the Commission. The Conference adopted three resolutions on the role of cartography, remote sensing. and geographic information systems (GIS) in sustainable development; data acquisition in Africa; and International Hydrogeological Mapping Programme for Africa and the study on cartography for development.
The issues of science and technology for development were analyzed at the eighth meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Science and Technology Development. The Committee made recommendations on strategies and guidelines for the management of science and technology in the region.
Africa's population continues to grow faster than its present food and agricultural production, making it imperative for African Governments to study how to develop the nexus between self- sustaining development and population factors. Consensus has finally emerged in the region that successful development depends, among other things, on resolving population issues. The quest to integrate considerations of population into development plans was the main concern of the secretariat during the biennium. In this regard, the third African Population Conference examined the linkage between sustainable development and population. The theme for the Conference, "Population, family and sustainable development", aptly underlined the mutuality between individual, family and
community needs and development. The meeting, in underscoring this point, adopted the Dakar/Ngor Declaration on Population, Family and Sustainable Development, which recognized the primacy of the family in the region's resolve to find answers to its development problems. It placed family considerations firmly in the context of the national and international struggle for sustained and sustainable development. It recommended, among other things, that population policies become an integral part of the drive for sustainable development.
The review of progress made since the launching in 1991 of the second United Nations Transport and Communications Decade in Africa (UNTACDA II) and of measuresto promote stated objectives were the thrust of the deliberations of some fora, particularly the Conference of African Ministers of Transport, Communications and Planning. These meetings emphasized the need for member States to take ownership of the Decade programme as the responsibility for its success rested squarely on their shoulders, individually and collectively. The realization of this noble aim depended to a large extent on the provision of sufficient financial support for the Decade programme. The meetings called for effective functioning of the institutional frameworks, including the National Coordinating Committees (NCC), the Resource Mobilization Committee (RMC), the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee (lACC) and the Subsectoral Working Groups established for the implementation of the programme. It emerged, however, that the activities included in the Decade programme were usually sidetracked during allocation of national funds, in some cases did not feature among the priority activities of a country and have not attracted sufficient resources either at the local or the international level. African countries in particular must acknowledge the centrality of transport and communication improvement to the realization of their development goals and take action to demonstrate their commitment to this reality.
In the same context of building effective and efficient transport and communication infrastructures, an appeal was made to member States to meet their obligations towards the funding and operationalization of the Regional African Satellite Communications (RASCOM) Organization.
In the air transport sector, the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Declaration was still being pursued with some success recorded at the subregional level.
The integration of road transport infrastructures and services for the enhanced physical integration of the region was discussed. Issues concerning the reactivation of the bureau of the Trans- African Highways Authorities, including programming and staffing arrangements, were analyzed. Out of these discussions, a draft statute of the Trans-African Highway Bureau containing the general understanding and organizational arrangements including funding was adopted for final ratification by member States.
Conferences and other meetings in the area of statistical development emphasized the need to create sustained and sustainable integrated statistical databases at the national, subregional and regional levels that would respond to demands for appropriate, timely and good quality data for proper monitoring and evaluation of the performance and impact of policy reforms and long-term development programmes. Stress was laid on capacity building not only with regard to data collection, analysis and dissemination, but also for data interpretation and application, with the corollary of providing proper and adequate incentives to enable national statistical systems to retain trained staff. Effective coordination of statistical policies and activities at all levels was seen as crucial to statistical development, since lack of such coordination had, in the past, led to unnecessary duplication of effort and distorted priorities, wastage of resources and limited impact on statistical development. Emphasis
was put on the recommendation to African Governments contained in the Addis Ababa Plan of Action for Statistical Development in Africa in the 1990s that "adequate funding should be provided for statistical activities" if there is to be sustainable statistical development.
i ,:
The eighth meeting of the Ministerial Follow-up Committee of Ten of the Conference of Ministers Responsible for Human Resources Planning, Development and Utilization reviewed the status, policies and programmes of hyman resources planning. development and utilization in Africa with particular focus on the programme for the implementation of the regional framework for human resources development and utilization in Africa.
As part of preparations for the observance of the International Year of the Family 1994 and to develop long-term strategies and programmes in support of African families, a meeting on the impact of economic and social changes on the African family was convened towards the end of 1993. The meeting highlighted a number of pertinent issues and recommendations, namely the review and revision of existing policies, family laws and legislation in African countries so as to reorient them in light of changing circumstances; development of mechanisms to anticipate and mitigate the negative consequences of structural adjustment programmes and political conflicts; assistance to displaced and refugee families; launching of educational and information campaigns to enhance awareness of the AIDS pandemic; and strengthening of social security policy and programmes in support and protection of the family. In order to concretize the promotion of the International Year of the Family, member States agreed to establish focal points in their countries to mobilize the active participation of national and community leaders, family groups, women's organizations and youth groups, launch educational and information campaigns on family issues and undertake periodic reviews on progress made and the impact of the recommendations of the meeting.
B. Research and analysis on Africa's socio-economic development
During the period under review, the thrust of ECA's research and analysis was to (a) develop an understanding of the development process and the conditions for economic progress, (b) strengthen the secretariat's analytical capacity for policy formulation and for evolving systems and procedures to respond to changing situations, (c) provide inputs into the secretariat's operational work, and (d) identify possible projects in specific priority areas that would contribute to an accelerated process of development.
As part of an effort to strengthen the secretariat's intellectual leadership in development policy issues, a research fellows programme was established to bring in independent researchers to look into specific issues and concerns. Research activities increasingly emphasized thematic and cross-sectoral issues requiring multidimensional analysis. Furthermore, collaborative relationships were strengthened with subregional and regional research institutions for coordinating research activities in the region, particularly necessary in fostering a regional approach to analyzing and planning development and social programmes. As a first step, initiatives have been taken to develop research support networks with selected research institutions.
The topics examined in the secretariat's. research programme for the biennium 1992-1993 were wide-ranging, covering sectoral and macroeconomic development issues and concerns. Emphasis in research continued to be on the nature and trends in economic and social conditions in Africa. At the same time, significant work was done in the areas of popular participation, reforms in the public sector, enhancing the private sector's participation in and contribution to development, ensuring food
self-sufficiency, promotion of economic cooperation and integration, infrastructural development, informal sector promotion, the role and opportunities for women in development and human resources development. In addition, natural and man-made disasters including civil strife and drought underlined the importance of research into areas such as the correlation between peace, rehabilitation and reconstruction and development.
Research in the area of macroeconomic issues and management aimed at (a) improving national mechanisms for the review and appraisal of socio-economic conditions, (b) appraisal of development policies and programmes, as well as methods for improving and upgrading planning machineries, and (c) building appropriate capabilities in planning and economic modelling in order to assist African countries in the formulation of economic strategies and policies within coherent and consistent national development plans.
Major activities in this area included publication of the annual Survey of Economic and Social Conditions in Africa for 1990-1991 and 1991-1992. The Survey analyzes current socio-economic trends in the region, the main problems which the African countries have faced during the period and developments in the key sectors of the African economies, and their implications for growth and development.
The following selected issues were the subject of separate publications: optimal pricing model for primary commodities in developing countries: an application to the cocoa subsector in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana; financial deepening, credit availability and the efficiency of investment: evidence from selected African countries; devaluation and structural adjustment: the Nigerian experience; the food gap in Egypt; Nigeria's debt crisis; determinants of private investments in the Great Lakes countries (CEPGL); and implications of alternative macroeconomic policy responses to external shocks in Africa.
In the process of the elaboration of the International Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade, the secretariat provided guidelines for operationalization of the Strategy in the African region. These guidelines gave an overview of the main objectives and goals of the Strategy in the light of African development concerns in the areas of poverty eradication, environmental sustenance and welfare and social development issues.
In the area of economic cooperation and integration, the secretariat carried out a study on the Structure of African markets in the perspectives of the African Common Market. The study examined the structure of intra-African economic cooperation in production and trade and its current flows, diagnosed the obstacles to the promotion of intra-African trade, identified the potential of African markets to absorb supply and analyzed policy coordination at the subregional level, especially the coordination of the various national projects that have subregional dimension in agriculture, industry, trade, transport and communications.
A technical publication on "Trade liberalization in African countries in the context of stabilization and structural adjustment programmes" was the result of a study which analyzed Africa's external trade in terms of its structure, direction and policy framework. The study then gave reference to Africa's trade policies and practices in the pre-structural adjustment era before it concluded on a rationale for trade liberalization to increase Africa's economic growth and development.
A study on the "African debt crisis policy challenges and prospects for the 1990s" was undertaken which looked into the causes of the' African debt problem, analyzed the existing initiatives for debt relief and its trends and prospects for the 1990s.
In the area of social policy and development, the secretariat prepared a study on "Social security schemes and national development in Africa: an agenda for the 1990s". The objectives of the study were to examine and ascertain the extent to which the interests of the population as a whole and those of vulnerable groups in particular have been assured and secured through social security systems in selected countries. Itexamined the status of social security systems in Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and zambia. From this evaluation emerged a publication analyzing the nature, types and coverage of existing social security schemes, kinds of risks covered, provident fund schemes, methods of financing and administration of social security schemes and alternative and appropriate mechanisms for extending social security coverage to wider sections of population in the region.
A study on "Implications of differential access to education among males and females in Africa:
An a~enda for the 1990s" was also carried out. The .study addressed the' issue of differential access to education by males and females in Africa and its implication to the development process. The most important finding was that recent grave socio-economic difficulties confronting most African countries have severely affected the educational sector on the continent. This crisis has disproportionately and adversely affected the enrolment of female students in the region with serious ramifications for women in development in particular and the African development process in general.
The secretariat also prepared a study on "Assessment of policy constraints in the implementation of health for all by the year 2000 in Africa". The study aimed at identifying the major constraints in the implementation of primary health care policy as called for in the Alma-Ata Declaration in order to achieve health for all by the year 2000. Among the major findings were the lack of serious and sustained political commitment in the area and unprecedented population growth rates, greatly exacerbated by the socio-economic crisis of the 1980s. Curative predilection, which is artificial to the implementation of primary health care and health for all by the year 2000, continued to dominate policy formulation and implementation.
Studies to analyze the integration process in Africa with a view to identifying the required corrective measures and/or mapping out strategies and plans for the implementation of regional integration programmes were carried out. As a result of these studies, a proposal for a four-pronged strategy was adopted and is now in place in ECOWAS, ECCAS/UDEAC and PTA. In these three subregions, economic integration instruments have been reviewed and treaties amended accordingly.
In the light of the new situation in Eastern Europe, the secretariat carried out a study on how to link the reconstruction of Eastern Europe with development in Africa. The study in general explored the experience of Eastern European firms and their readiness for cooperation with African firms and for the mutual interchange of products. The major finding of this study, which elaborated feasible possibilities for cooperation, was the expressed willingness of Eastern European countries not only to export to Africa, but also to import African products.
Research in the domain of agricultural development policy, planning and programming stressed the need for improving capabilities in agricultural development planning, policy-making and programming including project monitoring and evaluation and use of databases; building up of efficiently managed planning and policy-making institutions; assessing the impact on the sector of bio-
technology and of the 1992 European economic integration measures; and conserving and expanding forestry resources as a tool for environmental protection.
In the area of agricultural production, institutions and services, the studies undertaken encompassed issues such as the coordination of maize research networks in the Eastern and Southern African subregion; expansion of food availability through the exploitation of non-conventional food resources (flora and fauna); reduction of livestock losses with the accent on reproductive wastage; and development of analytical tools for rationalizing planning and management intervention measures and promoting sustainable livestock development.
Research in agricultural marketing, institutions, services and facilities included diagnosis and evaluation of the food-related impact of structural adjustment programmes (SAPs) in West Africa with emphasis on agricultural marketing services. A comparative analysis of the structural advantages of Africa's export products as a means of improving related policies, ameliorating intra-African food trade through the enhanced role of financial institutions, increasing the effectiveness of agricultural marketing services in promoting socio-economic development with particular attention to extension specialists and evaluating the impact of food aid on Africa's efforts to bring about food security and food self- sufficiency were the main thrusts of the study.
A study on integrated rural development examined the development of the industrial aspects of rural transformation, evaluated the impact of rural changes in terms of occupation, income-bracket and gender and advocated the strengthening of financial institutions for facilitating access to rural credit.
Research into fisheries development covered such issues as improving fisheries policies and management with a focus on artisanal fishing, strengthening the capacities of fisheries institutions, fostering cooperative endeavour for the effective exploitation of shared marine resources and assessing inland aquaculture development programmes in Central African States.
The dynamics of population factors in the attainment of sustainable development was given its prominence during the biennium 1992-1993. There was a conscious effort to move away from traditional population issues which are demographic in nature to a closer study of the dynamics of population factors on development. The main thrust of most of the research activities in this area emphasized the integration of population factors into selected development objectives such as human resources development with particular reference to educational sector planning and the relationship between population and environment.
A study was undertaken on making population factors a part of human resources development especially as regards educational sector planning, which reviewed educational developments in the region since its independence was won in the 1960s and provided an annotation of eight possible models for the planning, management and administration of education.
Population and environment was the subject of a study to identify the interrelationships and linkages between the two and to integrate the nexus between them in development plans, reduce mortality rates, improve the quality of life, increase standards of living and make better use of the natural resource base for realizing sustainable development.
Since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), there has been an increased awareness of the need for more organized strategies for ensuring a sustained
