EU-Sub-Saharan Africa challenges and opportunities: Engine for Growth and Job Creation?

News article |

The conference EU-Sub-Saharan Africa challenges and opportunities: Engine for Growth and Job Creation aims to address critical development issues about the link between the economy, the demography and the pathways for sustainability in Africa. The virtual meeting will take place on the 25th of June 2021 from 9:00 to 16:15. The conference is an initiative led by the Polish university SGH Warsaw School of Economics in the framework of the Jean Monnet Module on the European Union and the Contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa – an Interdisciplinary Approach – Smart Specialisation-EUAfrica/AFROEU.

The meeting is an opportunity for participants to learn from African and European experts and to promote open discussions about the governance, political and stability challenges that are experienced by the two world regions. The knowledge sharing should contribute to the identification of the steps towards strengthening economic diversification for sustained and inclusive growth in areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, education, banking and innovation. Develop policies that encourage female leadership and participation in politics, business and society. Assess the application of Smart Specialisation strategies. Strengthen the technological and digital ecosystems in Africa. Discussions will be carried out through four panels:

  1. Panel I - Governance for growth and inclusive development versus the African Private Equity and Venture Capital
  2. Panel II - Women: political representation and successful development in Africa
  3. Panel III - Smart specialisation strategies and their applicability to sustainability
  4. Panel IV - A digital economy in Africa - building innovation ecosystem

 

More details and full agenda available
 

Background

The Agenda 2063 and Smart Specialisation

Agenda 2063 is the African Union’s blueprint for the future based on inclusive growth and sustainable development; it calls for an integrated Africa guided by Pan-African ideals. These ideals include an Africa shaped by good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and rule of law; a peaceful and secure Africa; an Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics. An Africa whose development is people-driven with a key role for women and the youth; a strong, united Africa that can be an influential global player. Smart Specialisation underlines the importance of the preparation process, which occurs at the regional/country level of the research and innovation strategies.