Objectif 1 : Eradiquer la pauvreté extrême et la faim

Slow Progress on Eradicating Poverty in Africa

For Africa as a whole, this target is unlikely to be met without extra effort and resources.  While there has been some progress, and Ghana for instance has already met the target, a high proportion of Africans remain chronically poor and the situation is particularly difficult for those in fragile states.

However, poverty is on the decline, although different studies make different estimates of the rate of change.  In addition, a downward rate may not be sustainable because of high population growth rates, making the goal less attainable.  For instance, one study notes that the absolute number of poor people in Africa (excluding North Africa) almost doubled between 1981-2005.

The report stresses the need for international cooperation to maintain a positive downward trend, and emphasises the need to resume the Doha trade negotiations as a contribution to lifting people out of poverty.  Regional integration is also needed to boost intra-regional trade and, with it, employment opportunities.

Easier trade assists the subsidiary target of ensuring work for all, which helps poverty reduction.  The record on employment is mixed.  Labour productivity has grown in over 38 of the 48 countries that have available data, most notably Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, the DRC, Angola, Mozambique and Malawi.

However, 10 countries saw a decline in labour productivity between 1992 and 2008.

Where people do have jobs, the report is positive.   The GDP per person employed grew during 1992-2008 in all African sub-regions.

However, employment-to-population ratios stagnated in all sub-regions between 1991 and 2007, and actually declined in 28 of the 50 countries supplying data, notably in Mauritania, Tanzania and Rwanda.  However, Algeria, Ethiopia and Lesotho saw a rise in the ratio.

On the subsidiary target of halving the proportion of people going hungry, some countries have progressed towards the target, but the actual number of people suffering from hunger has actually risen.  However, Ghana and the North African countries have met the target, due mostly to good governance, sound economic policies, and increased investment in agriculture.

On the subsidiary target of reducing the number of underweight children, 30 out of 38 countries supplying data showed a cut in the prevalence of underweight children, comparing the period 2000-2009 to the period 1990-1999.

On the population in general, the proportion of undernourished people has fallen steadily in all sub-regions except Central Africa, and West Africa is on track to meet the goal of halving the undernourished rate by the target date – largely due to good progress in Nigeria and Ghana.  On current trends, East and Southern Africa are likely to fail to meet the target.

Urgent action is needed in Central Africa, notably in the DRC.