AHOUAKAN Ehouman Williams V,Ivory Coast,SRO/WA said in Fiscal consolidation and SDGs attainment:

This raises an important policy question: How does fiscal consolidation programs affect the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in African countries ?

My personal reflection on this. When it comes to fiscal consolidation the government is faced with at least two glaring options, one-to reduce government spending and two- to increase taxes. The second option is a bit tricky especially when referring to the traditional tax revenue approach which is increasing tax rates that is met with negative public outcry hinged on the manner in which public funds have been embezzled and misused in the past. The first option, which is governments introducing austerity measures to cut down on their spending, that is where the direct effect on attaining SDGs can be seen. For example, generally governments have the mandate to provide health and education for their citizens, if you cut spending, it means these critical sectors that are relating to attaining a number of SDG goals will be affected.

ALI Ibrahim Houssen,Djibouti,ACS This is a timely discussion indeed, a decade later in the implementation of the SDGs, and food security is still a persistent issue across the continent with many areas facing famine and requiring substantial aid in food. Aside from leveraging technology to create resilience and boost agriculture productivity, it is also relevant to look at some practical ways to address food security in Africa. Take the example of post harvest losses that is witnessed across many African countries. A large percentage of food is lost due to poor transport infrastructure, inadequate storage and processing facilities or even limited value addition. To address these issues, governments being deliberate about improving transport infrastructure, providing common cold storage facilities, especially in areas where there is high production of perishable products. Even better creating industries in high agriculture production areas to preserve, add value and minimize post-harvest losses. I love what Burkina Faso is doing with their tomato production, the government has established industries to process tomato into tomato paste thus enhancing its shelf-life. Of course this industry will also promote the growth of other auxiliary industries, for example packaging and distribution companies. The economists will tell you, the multiplier effect will lead to job creation, sustainable production and by and large economic growth. This can be scaled and replicated in other products if government are willing to create that environment for companies to thrive. There is a whole conversation of how governments can be involved in this aspects, i will leave that discussion for another day....

LOMPO Aguima Aime Bernard,Burkina Faso,SPORD LIPEDE Omolola Mary,Nigeria,GPSPD This is definitely not my domain, I appreciate the concepts and how the both of you have shed light on it.