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Sustainable growth and building resilience in Africa require structural transformation – Economic Report on Africa (ERA 2023)
Sustainable growth and building resilience in Africa require structural transformation – Economic Report on Africa (ERA 2023)
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Report on Africa 2023 (ERA 2023) has said: “Achieving sustainable growth and building resilience requires structural transformation.”
It also said: “Successful industrial policy requires both sectoral focus as well as getting the basics right. It is essential for countries to identify optimal combinations of policy actions to nurture an industrial programme.”
The report with title: “Building Africa’s Resilience to Global Economic Shocks”, and presented by the Director, Macroeconomics and Governance Division at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Adam Elhiraika, was launched in Abuja on Monday.
The report showed that the current global economic architecture affords opportunities for African countries to leapfrog and accelerate industrialization through careful experimentation of what has worked elsewhere and adapting it to local conditions.
Elhiraika explained that firm survival and growth in Africa were closely linked with exporting, working with international capital and international or global firms, adopting international managerial norms and standards as well as developing industrial clusters.
These elements, according to ERA 2023, come in different shades depending on the type of firms and their technology intensity. Broadly, however, three economic fundamental gaps require attention to get the basics right: skill gaps; infrastructure gaps and overall institutional quality gaps.
On Promoting regional value chains, the report states that countries can collaborate in creating, for example, regional agricultural commodity markets that will help to connect surplus economies with net importers for wheat, sugar and rice. This will reduce dependence on Russia and Ukraine.
The report also explained that: “Financial integration could also protect the continent from the vicious cycle of debt distress and liquidity crunches through regional bond markets that would enhance savings mobilization, risk pooling and funding for regional and national infrastructure.”
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Matthias Schmale, represented by the Economist in the Resident Coordinator’s Office, Nonso Obikili, noted that the convergence of many crises, such as the shocks generated by the consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic, the ripple effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and climate change had resulted in Africa experiencing a setback or lack of progress in achieving the targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He cited an example of the impact of shocks on poverty, in 2021, when almost 30 million Africans experienced severe poverty, and the loss of 22 million employment occurred.
“The top ten countries with the highest number of poor people account for 64.7% of the continent’s poor population. The first four countries—Nigeria (100 million), the DR Congo (67 million), Tanzania (36 million) and Ethiopia (33 million)—account for 42% of the poor population.” Schmale said.
The ERA 2023 therefore called for new approaches for African countries to address challenges of global economic shocks. The report calls for improving risk management and building resilience strategies through well-designed national development plans and good governance, as well as structural transformation through equitable green growth and smart industrial strategies.
Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr Tope Fasua, highlighted economic recessions that Nigeria had experienced in the past: Commodity price crashes of early 1970s after the oil boom in 1973; recession of the 1980s due to fall in commodity prices; and another crash in the mid-2000s due to crude oil crash. “We live life of volatility in terms of our finances, and most of Africa is still tethered to these kinds of risks.” He said.
At the launch were representatives of the United States Embassy, European Union, USAID, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning; Federal Ministry of Finance; Central Bank; and UN Agencies.
Sustainable growth and building resilience in Africa require structural transformation – Economic Report on Africa (ERA 2023)
ACReSAL, NUJ sensitise 100 journalists to climate change, environmental reporting skills
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, on Monday, trained 100 journalists to enhance coverage of climate change and environmental issues in Gombe State.
The one-day capacity building exercise is being implemented in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), aimed at raising awareness on land restoration and sustainable landscape management.
ACReSAL is a World Bank financed project designed to tackle the pressing issues of land degradation and climate change in 19 states in northern Nigeria.
Dr Sani Jauro, State Coordinator, ACReSAL, described journalists as critical stakeholders in efforts towards reclaiming degraded lands and ensuring sustainable landscape management.
He said the training aimed at improving journalists’ understanding of climate related issues to help them communicate the challenges and solutions effectively to the public.
Jauro expressed optimism that the training would enhance the skills and knowledge of media practitioners in reporting ACRESAL, environmental and climate change issues.
The coordinator commended Gov. Inuwa Yahaya for his support in addressing environmental related issues, to improve lives and protect livelihoods of communities threatened by land degradation.
He also lauded the media support in the implementation of ACReSAL project through accurate reportage, and urged them to sustain the feat to promote community ownership of ACReSAL project.
NUJ Chairman, Faruk Muazu, lauded ACReSAL and Jewel Environmental Initiatives (JEI), the implementing partner, for their efforts at upskilling journalists.
Muazu urged other government bodies to partner with the organisation to train journalists on issues that would enhance development in Gombe State.
“This training will help improve the quality of conversations around climate change, land restoration and environmental issues across the state.
“It will ensure that the media becomes adequately informed about climate change related issues across the state,” he said.
Mr Ismail Bima, Project Coordinator, JEI, also urged journalists to prioritise environmental and climate change reportage to promote sustainable environment.
Represented by Danladi Aliyu, an official of JEI, Bima said awareness creation on ACReSAL project, government and stakeholders investment would build sustainability culture among residents.
One of the participants, Chika Udenkwo, commended the gesture, adding it would expose journalists better skills to report environmental issues and climate change.
ACReSAL, NUJ sensitise 100 journalists to climate change, environmental reporting skills
Police arrest three suspected armed robbers in Abuja IDP camp
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested three suspected members of a notorious armed robbery syndicate during a coordinated operation to rid the territory of criminal elements.
Zagazola Makama report that the arrest followed the directive of the Commissioner of Police, FCT, to flush out criminal gangs operating within the nation’s capital between Oct. 10 and 17, 2025.
The suspects Manaseh Emmanuel, 36, and Dogora Ibrahim, 21, both from Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, and Ibrahim Idamusa, 40, from Giri Local Government Area of Adamawa State were arrested by operatives of the Scorpion Squad led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey.
The suspects, who all reside in New Kuchigoro IDP Camp, Durumi, were apprehended following actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the gang was linked to a notorious and unrepentant armed robber, Ibrahim Yakubu a.k.a. Ycome, currently standing trial over an armed robbery incident at Maitama on Oct. 10, 2025.
Sources said that Police investigations further uncovered that Ycome, who was earlier brought out of prison on a reproduction warrant on May 21, 2025, had been coordinating illicit drug operations and other criminal activities from prison.
Sources said the suspects confessed to robbing several vehicles in different parts of Abuja, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other accomplices and recover stolen vehicles.
Police arrest three suspected armed robbers in Abuja IDP camp
Operation Zenda JTF kill notorious robbery suspect in Benue, recover firearm and charms
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) have neutralized a notorious armed robbery suspect, identified as Saater, during a gun duel in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, which took place at about 8:00 p.m. on Oct. 18, followed credible intelligence that led the team to a hotel at the Owner Occupiers area of Makurdi, where the suspect was hiding.
The suspect, who was said to be a notorious kidnapper, assassin, and armed robber from Wannune in Tarka Local Government Area, was allegedly responsible for the killings of several persons, including the commander of local hunters and his wife, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and a traditional ruler, among others.
Upon sighting the operatives, the suspect reportedly opened fire on the team, prompting a gun battle during which he sustained fatal bullet wounds.
Sources said he was rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where he was confirmed dead while receiving treatment. His corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
Items recovered from him include a locally fabricated short gun, two cartridges, assorted criminal charms, and seven SIM cards of different networks.
Operation Zenda JTF kill notorious robbery suspect in Benue, recover firearm and charms
ACReSAL, NUJ sensitise 100 journalists to climate change, environmental reporting skills
Police arrest three suspected armed robbers in Abuja IDP camp
Operation Zenda JTF kill notorious robbery suspect in Benue, recover firearm and charms
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