Lack of political will harming African states – Kofi Annan

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has said that the lack of political will by African leaders’ to implement good policies is harming the continent.

He indicated that most of Africa’s challenges persist “not because of a lack of knowledge, plans or technical solutions but a lack of political will”.

The Chairman of the Africa Progress Panel made these remarks at the closing ceremony of the 52nd Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Board of Governors.

Mr Annan, who could not make the trip to India, said in a video recording that, contrary to the perception that the continent is underdeveloped, Africa “is not poor but a wealthy continent”.

He said “economic growth has taken root in recent years” but African governments are failing to convert the growth into opportunities for their people.

He emphasised that the continent needs an economic transformation that harnesses growth for many rather than the benefit of a few.

For him, a new sense of urgency is needed among African leaders to implement the long-discussed transformation of the continent.

He was of the view that civil society and the private sector need to challenge leaders to live up to Africa’s potential, with the private sector playing a leading role in Africa’s transformation.

He added that the transformation can only be achieved if governments implement the right regulatory framework and enabling environment.