G20 Meeting in London

Wakuu,

Swali: Je hawa mabwana, do they really have the interests
of the 'Third World Countries" at heart ama wanatuzuga tu?

Mara G8, mara G20....

Shukran.

Why should they have interest with the third world? Everybody will carry their own burden. I don't care whether they have interest in the third world or not. I care more about leaders of the third world having more interest in the third world rather than their own self interests.
 
...Wachumi mnasemaje hapa? Nataraji wanamipango na wachumi wanategea masikio mkutano huu. Wakati huo huo, nasikilizia 'showdown' baina ya utawala wa Obama dhidi ya mikakati ya kupinga toka kundi la nchi za EU kuhusu mbinu muafaka za kufufua uchumi;









...I bet watakuwa melted na sweet tongue ya Barack Obama...

Sio hawa jamaa labda watu wengine. Tena ajipange kwelikweli
 
Why should they have interest with the third world? Everybody will carry their own burden. I don't care whether they have interest in the third world or not. I care more about leaders of the third world having more interest in the third world rather than their own self interests.

You nailed it. Basically, things are much tight in developed world than the otherway round. The thing is developing world want developed world plan for their own development which is not practical when everybody is in trouble.
 
When they talk of Globalisation, Africa is included wote. Whe you talk of World Economic Crisis measures, Africa is Exluded (only S.A present). Sasa tunadanganywa nini hapa. Inaniuma. Huku tunawapenda tuwawaita wawekezaji, kumbe ni wanyonyaji.

....hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa, mkuu usiumie wapo sahihi kabisa. Hata katika kuchanbua umaskini wa Sab-Saharan Africa ambapo South Africa ipo kijiografia. Nchi hii huwa haishirikishwi kama moja ya nchi masikini ukanda huu wa Sab-Saharan countries. Mkuu SA is a another Europe in Africa. Hatulingani nao hata chembe right from GDP, technology, percapita, industrialisation, you name it. Thats why even in this economic crisis South Africa argues as fellow development partners while most of our arguments sounds more like complaints for we think that we are not part of the game as JK statement. LoL!
 
Sio hawa jamaa labda watu wengine. Tena ajipange kwelikweli

...haya, nasikilizia.... inaonekana Madame Merkel na Monsieur Sarkozy wameamua kuitoa nishai 'coalition' ya Gordon Brown na Obama...

View attachment 4101
The leaders of France and Germany delivered a stunning ultimatum to Gordon Brown tonight when they demanded binding reform of world financial markets as the price of their support at tomorrow's G20 summit.

Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel made the comments at a joint press conference at which they promised that they would "speak with one voice" at the meeting in London's Docklands.

Having already scuppered Gordon Brown's plans for the summit to agree on a massive and coordinated fiscal stimulus, the two European heavyweights are demanding that it now move to do away with the "light-touch" Anglo-Saxon model of regulation blamed for the current economic crisis.

"The summit communique needs to set out very concrete steps," said Mrs Merkel, the German Chancellor. "The summit must delineate the new architecture of financial markets."

"Our objective is simple: we demand results in London; we want concrete results," added President Sarkozy, who has threatened to walk out of the summit if it does not go the right way. "This is not negotiable."

...haburuzwi mtu, lakini bado naamini watalegea wenyewe hao!...
 
Meanwhile a pictorial perspective....

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Sarah Brown, wearing a brown dress and seated center with Michelle Obama standing behind her is joined by the wives and guests of G20 delegates attending a dinner at London's Downing Street


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Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen

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Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala


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South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak and his wife Kim Yun-ok


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Turkish Prime Minister Rejep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan

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Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur

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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his wife Svetlana

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President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, his wife Margarida Sousa Uva


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Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and his wife Chikako

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Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his wife Therese Rein
 
The Obama's meet the Queen...

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The Obamas pose with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip

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The President and Queen met at Buckingham Palace early Wednesday evening

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The Queen and the First Lady

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Why should they have interest with the third world? Everybody will carry their own burden. I don't care whether they have interest in the third world or not. I care more about leaders of the third world having more interest in the third world rather than their own self interests.

HOTUBA YA MHE. JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE, RAIS

Ndugu wananchi,Kwa mara nyingine tumshukuru Mwenyezi Mungu kwa kupata nafasi ya kuzungumza na taifa katika utaratibu wetu wa kila mwezi. Naomba radhi kuzungumza nanyi leo badala ya jana kwa sababu ya shughuli za ugeni wa Gavana-Jenerali wa Nchi rafiki ya Australia, Mama Quentin Bryce aliyetutembelea kuanzia tarehe 30 Machi na kuondoka leo asubuhi. Leo napenda kuzungumzia mambo matatu...

...Jambo la tatu ni mkutano wa Kundi la Nchi Ishirini Tajiri Duniani au maarufu kwa jina la G-20 kwa lugha ya Kiingereza. Mkutano unaoanza kesho mjini London, Uingereza.

...Ndugu Wananchi;
Mkutano wa kesho wa Mataifa 20 Tajiri Duniani umeitishwa kujadili hatua zaidi za kuchukua kuzuia mambo yasiwe mabaya zaidi na kufanya uchumi ukue. Pia wanakusudia kuzungumzia njia za kuepuka maatizo kama haya yasitokee tena duniani. Katika mkutano wa kesho pia watazungumzia namna ya kuzisaidia nchi maskini za Afrika na zile zinazoendelea ziweze kujihami na kukabiliana na athari za matatizo ya uchumi wa dunia.

Katika mkutano wao wa kwanza, uliofanyika Washington, Marekani, jambo hili halikufanyika. Wakati ule nikiwa Mwenyekiti wa Umoja wa Afrika (AU), nilimwandikia Rais George Bush wa Marekani, ambaye alikuwa Mwenyekiti wa mkutano ule, kumuomba wayaangalie maslahi ya Afrika, lakini hatukufanikiwa.:cool: Tulipata ahadi kuwa katika mkutano utakaofuata jambo hilo litazingatiwa.

Tunamshukuru Waziri Mkuu wa Uingereza, Bw. Gordon Brown kwa kutimiza ahadi yake aliyonipatia kuhusu kujali maslahi ya Afrika pamoja na kutoa fursa ya ushiriki na sauti ya Afrika kuwepo katika mkutano huu wa pili.

Kwa nia ya kupata maoni ya Waafrika hasa kuhusu matakwa na matarajio ya Afrika katika mkutano wa G-20, Waziri Mkuu wa Uingereza, tarehe 16 Machi, 2009 aliitisha mkutano maalum baina yake na viongozi kadhaa wa Afrika mjini London, Uingereza. Mkutano huo uliohusisha viongozi wa nchi za Tanzania, Liberia, Afrika Kusini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Botswana, Misri, na Cape Verde ulikuwa na manufaa makubwa.
Ndugu Wananchi,

Nilitumia nafasi hiyo kuwasilisha maoni na mapendekezo ya mkutano wa pamoja wa Mawaziri wa Fedha, Magavana wa Benki Kuu za Afrika na Shirika la Fedha Duniani (IMF) uliofanyika hapa Dar es Salaam kuanzia tarehe 10 hadi 11 Machi, 2009.

Mapendekezo hayo yalikuwa msingi wa mazungumzo yetu katika mkutano wetu na Bw. Gordon Brown. Kwa muhtasari, matarajio ya Afrika katika mkutano wa G-20 ni kwa Afrika kusaidiwa kujikinga na kukabili madhara ya kudorora kwa uchumi wa dunia.

Miongoni mwa mambo ambayo tuliyasisitiza ni haja ya kuanzishwa mfuko maalum ambapo fedha zake zitatumika kuzisaidia nchi za Afrika kuchukua hatua za kunusuru uchumi wao kama wafanyavyo mataifa tajiri.Kwa maneno mengine tuliunga mkono pendekezo la Benki ya Dunia na kutaka Mkutano wa G-20 ukubali kwamba :)

Pili, tulisitiza kuwa nchi tajiri zisipunguze misaada ya maendeleo kwa nchi maskini. Badala yake misaada hiyo iongezwe kama walivyoahidi kwenye mikutano ya Monterrey, Gleneagles na kwingineko.

Tatu, tulisema kwamba tunatarajia pia misaada kwa Afrika, na uwekezaji kutoka nje vitaelekezwa katika kujenga na kuboresha miundombinu, kuleta mapinduzi katika kilimo, kukuza biashara miongoni mwa nchi za Kiafrika :confused: na baina yake na nchi nyingine za dunia na kusaidia zaidi makundi katika jamii ambayo yanahitaji msaada zaidi (vulnerable groups).

Nne, kwamba nchi tajiri duniani pamoja na Taasisi za Kimataifa za Fedha Duniani zilegeze masharti na kupunguza urasimu wa kupata fedha za misaada na mikopo kwa kutambua kwamba hiki ni kipindi kugumu na cha dharura. Aidha, masharti ya kukopa kutoka vyombo vingine vya fedha yalegezwe pia.

Tano, kwamba nchi tajiri zisaidie nchi za Afrika kujenga mitaji ya vyombo vya fedha vya kikanda kama vile Benki ya Maendeleo ya Afrika. Na, la

sita, kwamba, nchi tajiri zitakubaliana kuruhusu uwazi katika mabenki yao na taasisi zao za fedha ili kuwezesha nchi za Kiafrika kufuatilia na kurudishiwa fedha, majumba na rasilimali zilizoporwa kutoka katika bara letu na kuhifadhiwa kisirisiri katika mabenki ya nchi tajiri. :eek:

Ndugu Wananchi,
Tunamshukuru Mheshimiwa Waziri Mkuu Gordon Brown kwa kuyapokea mapendekezo haya ya Afrika kwa moyo mkunjufu na kuahidi kuyafikisha na kusaidia kuyatetea katika kikao hicho. Pia tunamshukuru amepokea rai ya Afrika ya kuwakilishwa kwenye mkutano huo kwa kumwalika Waziri Mkuu wa Ethiopia, Mhe. Meles Zenawi, ambaye atatuwakilisha kwa kofia yake ya Uenyekiti wa NEPAD.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Mkutano huu wa G-20 ni muhimu sana kwani unalo jukumu la kihistoria la kuuokoa uchumi wa dunia. Kwa msemo wa Kiswahili tungeweza kusema kuwa kazi ya mkutano huu ni ya kufa na kupona. Mkutano ukifanikiwa, sote tumenusurika. Ukishindwa sote tutakuwa mashakani na tunaweza kuangamia.

Tuwatakie viongozi wa G-20 heri na fanaka tele katika mazungumzo yao. Hatima ya maisha na ustawi wa dunia na watu wake uko mikononi mwao.
Mwisho


...wasipotujadili tena kwenye mkutano huu Tumekwisha (?)
 
Mbu na wenzangu,

kati ya hayo sita yote alioongea sijaona lolote
linalohusu jinsi ya kudhibiti ufisadi katika hizi
nchi za Africa ambazo zinatembeza bakuli.

That should have been a prime gesture showing
commitment to the cause of corruption which has
crippled many economies of the so called "developing
countries"...Tanzania ikiwemo.

That to me was an opportunity lost by His Excellency.

Regards.

P.S. Wasipotujadili tutakuwepo tu maana somehow they need us,
hata kama its for ulterior selfish motives ambazo watapata
mabangubangu wakushiriki nao.
 
View attachment 4116
Africa thrown to back burner at G20 meeting
Written by Allan Odhiambo
April 3, 2009:

Developing states will have to find their own stop-gap measures to cushion themselves against the backlash of the global financial crisis, despite radical proposals by G-20 countries to try and tame the turmoil.

In far reaching recommendations at their London Summit on Thursday, the G-20 nations are rooting to impose new financial rules that would among other things see large hedge funds subjected to supervision and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) kitty beefed up to about $500 billion to help tackle the crisis in emerging markets.

Proposals were also floated for a $250 billion catalyst for global trade flows over the next two years through export credit channelled via investment agencies and multi-lateral development banks.

chanzo; Business Daily Africa - the international window into East African business opportunities - Africa thrown to back burner at G20 meeting

...jamani eeeh, parapanda hilo limeshalia, kila mtu aubebe msalaba wake. Natarajia Mh. Rais Jakaya Mrisho wa Kikwete na serikali yake watakuja kutuelezea HIVI KARIBUNI mipango na mikakati ya serikali ya Tanzania kukabiliana na hali hii inayoyumbisha uchumi wa dunia kwa sasa, kama alivyotunabahisha juzi, kuwa tutegee maskio yetu London!... habari ndio hiyo;

Afrika, Tanzania na viongozi wake, will have to find their own stop-gap measures to cushion themselves against the backlash of the global financial crisis

narudia;

Afrika, Tanzania na Viongozi wake, will have to find their own stop-gap measures to cushion themselves against the backlash of the global financial crisis


narudia;

Afrika, Tanzania na Viongozi wake, will have to find their own stop-gap measures to cushion themselves against the backlash of the global financial crisis


narudia;...
 
...jamani eeeh, parapanda hilo limeshalia, kila mtu aubebe msalaba wake. Natarajia Mh. Rais Jakaya Mrisho wa Kikwete na serikali yake watakuja kutuelezea HIVI KARIBUNI mipango na mikakati ya serikali ya Tanzania kukabiliana na hali hii inayoyumbisha uchumi wa dunia kwa sasa, kama alivyotunabahisha juzi, kuwa tutegee maskio yetu London!... habari ndio hiyo;

Afrika, Tanzania na viongozi wake, will have to find their own stop-gap measures to cushion themselves against the backlash of the global financial crisis

narudia;

Afrika, Tanzania na Viongozi wake, will have to find their own stop-gap measures to cushion themselves against the backlash of the global financial crisis


narudia;

Afrika, Tanzania na Viongozi wake, will have to find their own stop-gap measures to cushion themselves against the backlash of the global financial crisis


narudia;...

...........ha ha haaaaaaaa, inafurahisha na inahuzunisha pia. Mkuu tatizo huyo JK hata tungepewa hizo pesa plan hakuwa nayo atazifanyia nini. Lakini kwa kuwa pesa huwa haikosi matumizi kazi ingekuwa rahisi sana kucome up na expenditure plan.... mkuuu kwa taarofa hiii kama ulivyorudia mara tatu kuonyesha msisitizo sijui atawaeleza nini watanzania. Napenda ile interview na waandishi wa habari kabla hajaja kumuona Brown ingechapishwa mara kumi hivi magazetini hapo bongo maana yule mwandishi alikuwa anamuuliza maswali yakumjenga lakini kwa sababu jamaa ni mvivu wa kufikiri hakujishughurisha nayo.

Good, is time to use brain now and not to complain, we can not give excuse that we're falling victim for something we don't know the cause.
 
Divorce Africa from the World Bank and IMF: Reflections on an
Abusive Relationship


The African Executive | Divorce Africa from the World Bank and IMF

About the Author

James Shikwati is the Founder and Director of the Inter Region Economic Network and
CEO of The African Executive magazine www.africanexecutive.com. He was named
among top 100 most influential Kenyans by The Standard Group in 2007 and also named
among the 245 Young Global Leaders of 2008 by the Forum of Young Global Leaders,
an affiliate of the World Economic Forum.

Introduction

It is not "America" that buys champagne from "France". It is always an individual
American who buys it from an individual Frenchman.
Ludwig Von Misses

Introduction

Attempts to push Africa to adopt a market economic policy framework by Western
countries through the World Bank, IMF and their allied international agencies goes
against the spirit of free choice enshrined in free market systems. To fully enjoy the
benefits of a market economic system, Africa must divorce herself from the forced
marriage to the World Bank and IMF - a legacy of colonialism. African countries must
proactively seek to build their own market systems based on freedom of choice and
exploitation of existing natural resources for the benefit of her people.
Defining Market Economics

The market economic system or ‘free market' and ‘capitalism' operates on the basis of
voluntary exchange as opposed to planning or control by a central authority. In the
market economy, decisions and the pricing of goods and services are guided solely by the
aggregate interactions of a country's citizens and businesses with minimal government
intervention.

Interrogating Market Economics in Africa

Markets are not new in Africa. In Africa, the means of production were privately owned.
The profit motive was present in most market transactions. Free enterprise and free trade
were the rule in indigenous Africa. Each region in Africa has a history of pre-colonial
trade routes. Small or large, centralized or decentralized, no African society was an island
to itself.

Debate on why Africans failed to leverage and develop their indigenous market systems
have over the years been pegged on colonialism and its benefactor "market economics."
The market economy and recently neo-liberalism are perceived to have fed colonialism
and continue to sustain neocolonialism in Africa.

Whereas the market economic system operates on the basis of voluntary exchange, in
Africa, it doesn't. Africa is poor, ultimately, because its economy and society have been
ravaged by international capital and local elites who are often propped up by foreign
powers. Wealthy nations force poor countries to adopt market economic policies in total
disregard of the tenets of free will and choice.

Protectionism and its Impact on Africa

Protectionism has never been good for Africa. The continent is already groaning under
wealthy nations' protectionist measures supervised by the World Bank/IMF and their
allies that range from skewed international trade policies, trade distorting subsidies, debt
and aid.

According to the Tony Blair Commission for Africa, the trading relationship between
developed and developing worlds is dominated by a web of rules, taxes, tariffs and quotas
which tilt international trade in favor of the rich. The G8 and EU countries for example,
subsidize their agricultural sector to the tune of $350 billion a year, 16 times the amount
of aid they give to Africa, but expect free market competition with farmers in Africa.
African countries are faced with other types of protectionism such as inefficient
producers in wealthy nations being guaranteed a market in poorer countries by virtue of
aid driven-relations or colonial legacy; health and safety standards to bar products from
Africa; and the emerging "green protectionism" barrier that use "carbon tariffs" to bar
products.

A dispute between Tanzania and Kenya on the pace that regional integration should take
best illustrates Africa's predicament on protectionism. Whereas on the surface, it would
appear that Tanzania's main fear is Kenya's bigger economy; the truth however is, they
fear the power of outsiders who run Kenya's economy, for after all, the "Kenyan" or
"African" economy is largely not driven by indigenes but by companies from wealthy
nations.

The African Policy Makers' Dilemma

Should Africans protect their own industries or those of their aid doling allies operating
on their soil? The ongoing financial crisis has helped expose the hypocrisy of westernengineered
market economic system that has for long been forced down the throats of
Africans.

According to the Report of the Commission for Africa, three contradictory dynamics
dominate Africa's relationship with rich nations: trade, debt, and aid. In the last few
decades Africa has seen its share of world trade fall from six per cent in 1980 to less than
2 per cent in 2002. African countries were forced to open their markets and get integrated
in the global economy and compete on equal footing with those who champion market
economy and yet practice the complete opposite of what they prescribe as seen in Gordon
Brown's push for "British jobs for British workers" and America's "Buy American."

Africa should build its own Institutions

African policy makers are faced with a big challenge on how to implement market
economic strategies, having simply copy-pasted their institutional framework from
colonial powers. The continent is stuck with "organizations" as opposed to "institutions."
The workings of these organizations partly explain why the existing institutional
framework in Africa is perceived to serve the political elite and foreign interests. For
instance, the violent use of machetes by ethnic groups to address land disputes in Kenya
in 1991, 1997 and 2007 indicates that the masses do not recognize the executive,
judiciary and legislature as just arbiters.

Two parallel systems run concurrently on the continent: the government (organization)
and the community (ignored institutions which are older than existing governments).
Such a predicament complicates the functioning of the market economy.

Governments in Africa must realize that they rule over silent ‘sovereign' ethnic
communities whose interests, largely ignored, have slowed down economic development.
Consequently, the inherited government systems must renegotiate with ethnic community
systems to enable the merging of ‘sovereignties' that are accepted and respected by all.
Africans must urgently build institutions that will enable them run a market economic
system that unleashes the talents of each one.

African Commodities Exchange Market

Africa's old allies, Europe and USA, face stiff competition from re-emerging powers
such as China, Turkey, India and other Asiatic countries in the quest for her natural
resource wealth. Africa must take advantage of the renewed competition to set up
commodity market hubs across the continent that will usher in a one Africa commodity
exchange market. Such a market would not only enhance the continent's bargaining
power, but also explore possibilities of exploiting the continent's internal market. A
transparent and open trading system backed up by Africa's new institutions (not
organizations) would attract financing, say from Central Bank of Africa and save Africa
from resource-related conflicts.

Delink Africa from World Bank/IMF

African countries must delink their economic strategies from the World Bank/IMF driven
goals and initiate their own market-driven relationships amongst themselves and the rest
of the world. The World Bank and IMF force Africans to practice market economics
under "constricted freedom."

The World Bank/IMF operates in the arena of development like a one-party dictator,
accountable to no one but themselves. They perpetuate the functions that colonial
governments served; operate according to the dictates of their major shareholders; are not
accountable to the African people and assist in Africa's plunder. It is debatable whether
they are accountable to tax payers in countries that finance them. The secrecy that
shrouds their operations casts doubt on their ability to deliver a just and open market
system.

According to WTO, trade among African countries amounted to only 8.9 per cent of total
exports. Within the East African Community (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) trade grew
from $778 million in 2004 to $1 billion in 2006. Trade within the Common Market for
Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) increased from $4.5 billion in 2002 to $7.8
billion in 2007. The genuine spirit of market economy that ought to have unleashed
Africa's entrepreneurial spirit has for a long time been on the leash. The gains of a
genuine open market system for Africa are evident in the expansion of regional markets
for individuals, companies and through technological reach as evident in the cell phone
and internet sectors.

A Gold Standard Approach to Africa's Monetary System

Africa must set up its own monetary system by adopting a "Gold Standard" approach that
may apply to the trading of selected minerals that have international market recognition.

The standard will ensure long-term price stability in Africa; regulate the quantity and
growth of respective countries' money supply and guarantee a country's external value of
its currency.

Africa Should Move Away from Aid Paradigm

Aid (financial and technical assistance from rich nations to poor countries) serves the
interest of the donor more than that of the recipient. For Africa, aid has destroyed the
people's confidence and abilities to confront their daily challenges. The market economic
system will not work for Africa if it continues to rely on foreign aid to operate. Aid
simply exports the attitudes of the donor to Africa.

Aid has led to an upsurge of NGOs as opposed to enterprises that ought to transform
Africa's natural resources to wealth. It begs the question as to whether it is in the longterm
interest of NGOs to find long-lasting solutions to Africa's problems.

Conclusion

In the absence of World Bank/IMF and with Africa's own governance institutions;
monetary policy and genuine market system, productivity will increase on the continent
and make Africa a major player in the global economy.

Clearly, Africa is not part of the architects of the global economy. Africa must urgently
divorce itself from the planned market system supervised by the World Bank and IMF
and call for a new economic order.
 
Last edited:
Divorce Africa from the World Bank and IMF: Reflections on an
Abusive Relationship


The African Executive | Divorce Africa from the World Bank and IMF

About the Author

James Shikwati is the Founder and Director of the Inter Region Economic Network and
CEO of The African Executive magazine The African Executive | Free Africa's Ultimate Capital. He was named
among top 100 most influential Kenyans by The Standard Group in 2007 and also named
among the 245 Young Global Leaders of 2008 by the Forum of Young Global Leaders,
an affiliate of the World Economic Forum.

Introduction

It is not “America” that buys champagne from “France”. It is always an individual
American who buys it from an individual Frenchman.
Ludwig Von Misses

Introduction

Attempts to push Africa to adopt a market economic policy framework by Western
countries through the World Bank, IMF and their allied international agencies goes
against the spirit of free choice enshrined in free market systems. To fully enjoy the
benefits of a market economic system, Africa must divorce herself from the forced
marriage to the World Bank and IMF — a legacy of colonialism. African countries must
proactively seek to build their own market systems based on freedom of choice and
exploitation of existing natural resources for the benefit of her people.
Defining Market Economics

The market economic system or ‘free market’ and ‘capitalism’ operates on the basis of
voluntary exchange as opposed to planning or control by a central authority. In the
market economy, decisions and the pricing of goods and services are guided solely by the
aggregate interactions of a country’s citizens and businesses with minimal government
intervention.

Interrogating Market Economics in Africa

Markets are not new in Africa. In Africa, the means of production were privately owned.
The profit motive was present in most market transactions. Free enterprise and free trade
were the rule in indigenous Africa. Each region in Africa has a history of pre-colonial
trade routes. Small or large, centralized or decentralized, no African society was an island
to itself.

Debate on why Africans failed to leverage and develop their indigenous market systems
have over the years been pegged on colonialism and its benefactor “market economics.”
The market economy and recently neo-liberalism are perceived to have fed colonialism
and continue to sustain neocolonialism in Africa.

Whereas the market economic system operates on the basis of voluntary exchange, in
Africa, it doesn’t. Africa is poor, ultimately, because its economy and society have been
ravaged by international capital and local elites who are often propped up by foreign
powers. Wealthy nations force poor countries to adopt market economic policies in total
disregard of the tenets of free will and choice.

Protectionism and its Impact on Africa

Protectionism has never been good for Africa. The continent is already groaning under
wealthy nations’ protectionist measures supervised by the World Bank/IMF and their
allies that range from skewed international trade policies, trade distorting subsidies, debt
and aid.

According to the Tony Blair Commission for Africa, the trading relationship between
developed and developing worlds is dominated by a web of rules, taxes, tariffs and quotas
which tilt international trade in favor of the rich. The G8 and EU countries for example,
subsidize their agricultural sector to the tune of $350 billion a year, 16 times the amount
of aid they give to Africa, but expect free market competition with farmers in Africa.
African countries are faced with other types of protectionism such as inefficient
producers in wealthy nations being guaranteed a market in poorer countries by virtue of
aid driven-relations or colonial legacy; health and safety standards to bar products from
Africa; and the emerging “green protectionism” barrier that use “carbon tariffs” to bar
products.

A dispute between Tanzania and Kenya on the pace that regional integration should take
best illustrates Africa’s predicament on protectionism. Whereas on the surface, it would
appear that Tanzania’s main fear is Kenya’s bigger economy; the truth however is, they
fear the power of outsiders who run Kenya’s economy, for after all, the “Kenyan” or
“African” economy is largely not driven by indigenes but by companies from wealthy
nations.

The African Policy Makers’ Dilemma

Should Africans protect their own industries or those of their aid doling allies operating
on their soil? The ongoing financial crisis has helped expose the hypocrisy of westernengineered
market economic system that has for long been forced down the throats of
Africans.

According to the Report of the Commission for Africa, three contradictory dynamics
dominate Africa’s relationship with rich nations: trade, debt, and aid. In the last few
decades Africa has seen its share of world trade fall from six per cent in 1980 to less than
2 per cent in 2002. African countries were forced to open their markets and get integrated
in the global economy and compete on equal footing with those who champion market
economy and yet practice the complete opposite of what they prescribe as seen in Gordon
Brown’s push for “British jobs for British workers” and America’s “Buy American.”

Africa should build its own Institutions

African policy makers are faced with a big challenge on how to implement market
economic strategies, having simply copy-pasted their institutional framework from
colonial powers. The continent is stuck with “organizations” as opposed to “institutions.”
The workings of these organizations partly explain why the existing institutional
framework in Africa is perceived to serve the political elite and foreign interests. For
instance, the violent use of machetes by ethnic groups to address land disputes in Kenya
in 1991, 1997 and 2007 indicates that the masses do not recognize the executive,
judiciary and legislature as just arbiters.

Two parallel systems run concurrently on the continent: the government (organization)
and the community (ignored institutions which are older than existing governments).
Such a predicament complicates the functioning of the market economy.

Governments in Africa must realize that they rule over silent ‘sovereign’ ethnic
communities whose interests, largely ignored, have slowed down economic development.
Consequently, the inherited government systems must renegotiate with ethnic community
systems to enable the merging of ‘sovereignties’ that are accepted and respected by all.
Africans must urgently build institutions that will enable them run a market economic
system that unleashes the talents of each one.

African Commodities Exchange Market

Africa’s old allies, Europe and USA, face stiff competition from re-emerging powers
such as China, Turkey, India and other Asiatic countries in the quest for her natural
resource wealth. Africa must take advantage of the renewed competition to set up
commodity market hubs across the continent that will usher in a one Africa commodity
exchange market. Such a market would not only enhance the continent’s bargaining
power, but also explore possibilities of exploiting the continent’s internal market. A
transparent and open trading system backed up by Africa’s new institutions (not
organizations) would attract financing, say from Central Bank of Africa and save Africa
from resource-related conflicts.

Delink Africa from World Bank/IMF

African countries must delink their economic strategies from the World Bank/IMF driven
goals and initiate their own market-driven relationships amongst themselves and the rest
of the world. The World Bank and IMF force Africans to practice market economics
under “constricted freedom.”

The World Bank/IMF operates in the arena of development like a one-party dictator,
accountable to no one but themselves. They perpetuate the functions that colonial
governments served; operate according to the dictates of their major shareholders; are not
accountable to the African people and assist in Africa’s plunder. It is debatable whether
they are accountable to tax payers in countries that finance them. The secrecy that
shrouds their operations casts doubt on their ability to deliver a just and open market
system.

According to WTO, trade among African countries amounted to only 8.9 per cent of total
exports. Within the East African Community (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) trade grew
from $778 million in 2004 to $1 billion in 2006. Trade within the Common Market for
Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) increased from $4.5 billion in 2002 to $7.8
billion in 2007. The genuine spirit of market economy that ought to have unleashed
Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit has for a long time been on the leash. The gains of a
genuine open market system for Africa are evident in the expansion of regional markets
for individuals, companies and through technological reach as evident in the cell phone
and internet sectors.

A Gold Standard Approach to Africa’s Monetary System

Africa must set up its own monetary system by adopting a “Gold Standard” approach that
may apply to the trading of selected minerals that have international market recognition.

The standard will ensure long-term price stability in Africa; regulate the quantity and
growth of respective countries’ money supply and guarantee a country’s external value of
its currency.

Africa Should Move Away from Aid Paradigm

Aid (financial and technical assistance from rich nations to poor countries) serves the
interest of the donor more than that of the recipient. For Africa, aid has destroyed the
people’s confidence and abilities to confront their daily challenges. The market economic
system will not work for Africa if it continues to rely on foreign aid to operate. Aid
simply exports the attitudes of the donor to Africa.

Aid has led to an upsurge of NGOs as opposed to enterprises that ought to transform
Africa’s natural resources to wealth. It begs the question as to whether it is in the longterm
interest of NGOs to find long-lasting solutions to Africa’s problems.

Conclusion

In the absence of World Bank/IMF and with Africa’s own governance institutions;
monetary policy and genuine market system, productivity will increase on the continent
and make Africa a major player in the global economy.

Clearly, Africa is not part of the architects of the global economy. Africa must urgently
divorce itself from the planned market system supervised by the World Bank and IMF
and call for a new economic order.

Haya wale vijana wa vyuoni, desa la kuandika essay hilo. Anyway that was just a lietoutch, absolutely you nailed it Thomas. I appreciate for the productive time you spent disserminating your crucial understanding. JF it is and has been a very productive in giving free consultancy services like these. I bet there policy makers who also visits JF. Dispite that we do argue agaist the government, nevertheless, we luv it. This is why both critics and advices are concurrently given. There is really value for money visiting JF.
 
Why was my post deleted? Can the moderator explain to me?

Truth,

Stop calling people out of their names please.

1st, the President of the USA is Barack H. Obama,not Obantu.

2nd, People of the Negro Descent can be refered to by their nationalities
and not 'Bantus'.

Consider this is a warning.

Regards.
 
Truth,

Stop calling people out of their names please.

1st, the President of the USA is Barack H. Obama,not Obantu.

2nd, People of the Negro Descent can be refered to by their nationalities
and not 'Bantus'.

Consider this is a warning.

Regards.

Not fair at all unless you give the same warning to people who use perjorative terms to address Indians and Tanzanians of Indian descent. Can we have a little freedom of speech? Geeez
 
No problem. I also suppose President George W. Bush can no longer be referred to as "Kichaka"? BTW, I didn't mind that as I understood Bush as a public figure can be mocked, satirized, lampooned, he was called stupid, dumb, etc. However we can't do the same to the current US president. McCain too was called "Makopo" etc. I see a double standard here...
 
G-20 summit pledges 50 billion USD to Africa

Addis Ababa, April 3, 2009 (Addis Ababa) - G-20 summit agreed to provide 50 billion USD financial assistance to help economies of African countries, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said on Friday.

In an interview with Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency, the Prime Minister said the pledge will be effective as of the coming October.

...ukigawanya hizo 50bn USD kwa nchi 53 za kiafrika, ...kila nchi itaambulia kama 943m USD, ...haya haya tena, waheshimiwa kwa kujipongeza kilio chenu kusikika, muanze kujifikiria Landcruiser VX model mpya, na hata kama msafara wa maraisi unahitaji Beemars mpya...

...BMW X6 ishafika madukani!
View attachment 4149

...bila kusahau kitu kipya, Gulfstream 650 vile vile!
View attachment 4150
 
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