Bac 2011 Oral Test
Many of the key development problems identified in Africa-pervasive poverty, weak and conflict-prone states and poor human development indicators- are shared by poor countries in other regions.
The artificiality of Africa's colonial boundaries and the cross-border nature of many issues facing the continent mean that-perhaps more than in any other region-African countries must work together. Africa also contains many small economies and 15 landlocked states, so that joint action and collective responsibility are essential to creating viable economies of scale and a supportive climate for development. The World Bank and many of its partners, including African governments themselves, have tended to approach developmental issues on a national basis. But because many problems (for example conflict, disease) or issues (for example, trade, infrastructure) that affect Africa's development do not adhere to national borders, it makes little sense to approach them as if they do. Regional integration and multi-country initiatives must therefore promote common responses to common challenges.
African countries have been affected by so many shocks that they are no longer extraordinary. Over the past decade, African countries have repeatedly been hit by erratic weather (drought, floods), terms-of-trade shocks (commodity price drops, imported oil increases), and political crises (coups, conflict). African rainfall variability is roughly twice that of temperate regions, which adds to the fragility of predominantly agricultural economies. The frequency of shocks, the vulnerability of its population, and the long-term consequences of these factors suggest that systems for responding to such events need to be fully integrated into development strategies.
From “Strategic Framework for Assistance to Africa”, pp. 26-27.
Vocabulary:
Pervasive: envahissant
Erratic: irregular, changing.