Cooperating in Africa’s Sustainable Structural Transformation: Policymaking Capacity and the Role of Emerging Economies

Abstract

Most African countries today are pursuing one or both of the following policy agendas as they strive towards a sustainable transition: 1) a global normative agenda moving away from traditional patterns of economic growth and toward a greater emphasis on sustainable development (2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development), and 2) a regional context-dependent development policy agenda that entails the achievement of a more radical structural transformation (Agenda 2063). Having identified these two overlapping policy agendas, both of which are aimed at moving away from an exclusive focus on economic growth, this article explores these development viewpoints with particular focus on capacity building in policymaking (the non-financial aspect), and the need for these to be further supported by more aggressive global partnership efforts (the financial aspect). By doing so, we are able to examine some transformation experiences in Africa as well as policy options that envisage greater inclusiveness, equality and sustainability.

Keywords: sustainable development, structural transformation, Agenda 2063, 2030 Agenda, policymaking capacity, global partnership, Africa, China

JEL Classification: L16, O14, O55, Q01