Thematic Discussions

I would suggest that digitization and automation would play a vital role in this - this would surely enhance efficiency. Of-course while that is so, it would also derail on harnessing the demographic dividend due to jobs that would be deemed redundant (laid off) due to automation. At the end of the day, it is an issue of cost-benefit assessments, on what we are willing to let go to achieve the set goals.

There is a lot of talk on how (possibly) Africa could benefit from the reduced (or eliminated) tariffs on African Imports.

However, do you think Africa is ready to benefit from this? and to what extent? Considering quality requirements conditions.

Is this another missed opportunity or an information shock that could induce structural transformation( labour shifting from low value-added to higher value added sectors)?

I have worked and participated on climate change related work and research. There are several issues hindering the need for climate change sustainability. For Uganda, there remains minimal comprehensive knowledge about climate change related mechanisms at community level. The usual projects like planting trees, making briquettes, are undertaken on a very small scale. Policy majorly ends in conference rooms and workshops with less to no involvement or operationalization of climate change attributes across affected communities.

Lived realities: For example, Mt. Rwenzori glaciers continue to deplete. The only mountain with snow yet the Equator passes through. It inhabits unique species that continue to go extinct. Yet, due to climate change, and extreme heat, the glaciers are vanishing. During rainy seasons, extreme floods affect Uganda and DRC........

At a small scale, we see restoration of lost species, leveraging bee keeping, and managing population growth. This is a long path to change. But, amidst the different strategies, if we leverage on cross-border climate change interventions, we could push further.

True indeed IITUMBA Ndinelao,Namibia,PCKMD, striking a balance in methodical rigor erases gaps in a real-life context. It brings to life lived experiences, and blending facts.

Thanks for sharing this great piece.

BANENGAI KOYAMA Torcia Chanelle,Central African Republic,MFGD Would you clarify on the taxes that these governments are imposing on diaspora contributions? I see it difficult given the capacity of tax administration systems in African countries. See my thinking below:

I agree with you on the significant roles of remittances - but due to the informality of the channels that the diaspora use in remitting funds to left-behind households, i believe it would be difficult for governments to succeed at this. In addition, i believe the more they attempt to tax these formal channels, the more the informal channels will present themselves - which would lead to reduced formal tracking of remittances by government albeit people still increasing the volumes. At the macro-level, this problem in the external sector will present spill-over problems to the real, financial, and public sectors. In Malawi for example, this presents data accuracy issues by central banks (research loses validation), presents an informal black market for forex (people create forex markets on social media), and limits forex availability (forex does not go through banks) (this ofcourse will have many other consequences for import dependent countries).