MDG Report

Extracts from the Report

• Significant progress has been made on primary school enrollment, gender parity, women’s empowerment, and access to improved sanitation and safe water. Sadly, progress on the health MDGs remains poor. In addition, the incidence and prevalence of tuberculosis is increasing in some subregions of the continent. (p.6)
• The current crisis is likely to erode some of the progress already made in countries like Ghana in reducing the poverty headcount. The crisis could also undermine actions already taken by governments to reduce poverty. (p.2)
• The current global financial and economic crisis presents both opportunities and risks. In particular, it provides opportunities for African countries to deepen their financial systems, persevere with structural and economic reforms, and to adopt economic and social policies aimed at providing safety nets for the poor and socially vulnerable. Such actions will reinforce and secure progress already made toward achieving the MDGs. (p.2)
• Recent positive economic growth has failed to deliver on poverty reduction. In 2008, the geography of poverty in Africa remained unchanged: poverty, as measured by the USD 1/day metric, remains endemic in all regions of the continent except North Africa, and continues to be concentrated in rural areas. Poverty is also concentrated in politically marginalized areas (i.e. areas that do not support the political party in power) and in areas in countries in conflict (p.5)
• Across the region, there is evidence that in countries where there is political stability and a strong focus on infrastructure and social development, the private sector grows. This results over time in a decrease in unemployment. (p.8)
• Overall, the employment situation on the continent is troubling, despite recent strong and persistent economic growth. The “joblessness” of recent growth remains a major cause of concern for policymakers and an impediment to the achievement of the employment-related MDGs in the region. Employment growth in Africa is likely to be further constrained by the worsening global economic and financial conditions. The army of the unemployed is likely to increase with a consequent impact on migration, social and political conditions. (p.9)
• Most African countries are on track to achieve universal primary enrollment by 2015, if current trends continue. But actions need to be taken to improve access to primary education for children from poor households, for children who live in rural areas, and for HIV orphans. (p.12)
• Gender parity in primary education has been achieved in a large swathe of countries. However, the gender gap continues to widen in secondary education and is widest in tertiary education. (p.15)
• A major explanation for the high mortal mortality rate in Africa is lack of access to adequate medical care. (p.27)
• Overall, the continent appears to be making progress in reducing the prevalence rate of HIV/ AIDS. The key challenge confronting the continent is to secure this success and make progress in reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS. (p.31)
• There is a consensus that climate change poses an additional challenge to the attainment of the MDGs. Climate change may, if not urgently addressed, reverse some of the gains made in reducing poverty and controlling infectious diseases. It could negatively impact the productivity of land and accelerate the loss of environmental resources, including forestry. (p.38)
• Progress in sanitation is largely an urban phenomenon. Urban populations generally have better access to improved sanitation facilities. (p.45)
• In almost all countries of the continent, there are more mobile than fixed-line telephone subscribers. Today, 40 percent of the African population has a mobile phone. A total of some 65 million subscribers were added in the region in 2006 (p.54)
• The African response to the global economic and financial crisis has been swift and proactive, and taken at the highest levels (p.59)
• As a result of macroeconomic policy and structural reforms undertaken previously, African economies are far more resilient now than they were in the past and economic management has significantly improved. (p.60)
• African policymakers should be conscious of the impossible trinity – independent monetary policy, stability of exchange rate, and free movement of capital. Only two of these can be attained simultaneously. (p.60)
• African countries also need to develop effective early-warning systems, and to grow their internal markets through linking up enclave economies and through road and other infrastructure thathelp create an integrated domestic economy. (p.60)
• Of the USD 28.3 billion pledged by rich nations to Africa at the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, only USD 9.4 billion has actually been delivered to date. (p.60)
• With approximately five years remaining to the target date of 2015, urgent action is required on the part of African governments, their citizens, and the private sector to scale up efforts toward achievement of the MDGs. Undoubtedly, the current global economic and financial crisis presents special challenges to sustain progress already made. But the current crisis will eventually end, while the challenge of meeting the MDGs will remain. (p.61)
• Nonetheless, this short-term difficulty should not distract countries from continuing to pursue structural and fiscal reform policies that have underpinned the progress already made in the region. They need to continue to reform their economies and to improve governance and accountability. (p.61)