Taking Africa Seriously from Within and Without

This inaugural address by the National Director of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) argues that Africa's development depends on internal accountability, leadership, and a shift away from aid-dependency. The author highlights the rise of China and India as shifting global power dynamics and urges African states to implement industrial strategies to avoid a new 'scramble' for raw materials. The speech emphasizes the role of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the need for a vibrant civil society to hold governments accountable.

• The author argues that African development requires a shift in mindset where Africans take responsibility for their own fate rather than externalizing the causes of their problems or viewing themselves as victims. This includes holding African lives to the same value as those elsewhere and basing discourse on global benchmarks rather than political correctness.
• The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is identified as a critical tool for improving leadership accountability, policy effectiveness in poverty eradication, and the protection of human rights. The efficacy of the APRM depends on the boldness of leaders to publish full, frank reports and implement action plans to address shortcomings.
• The author contends that increasing the volume of aid is insufficient and potentially counterproductive if it merely entrenches elites. Instead, aid should be 'smarter,' targeting 'pockets of excellence' and rewarding good performers with better infrastructure and capacity.
• Global power balances are shifting with the rise of China and India, challenging the post-Cold War dominance of the US. While China's growth can be a 'positive sum game,' its interest in Africa is primarily driven by the need to secure raw materials, often resulting in exports with no value added or beneficiation.
• To avoid a new 'scramble for Africa' over resources, the author suggests four priorities: experimenting with revenue management from oil (citing the Chad pipeline as a positive example), channeling Chinese demand into domestic development, implementing competitive industrial policies, and developing a more mutually beneficial relationship with China.
• Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa is improving, with real GDP growth projected at 5.3% for 2006, though it remains below other developing regions. Only Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone were expected to grow by more than 7% in 2005. Despite this, the region's total economy represents only 1.3% of the global total.
• South Africa is encouraged to optimize its position by ensuring its own internal political and socio-economic stability, being more proactive and national-interest driven in its dealings with China, and acting as a 'centre of excellence' for the APRM process.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2005). Taking Africa Seriously from Within and Without. https://saiia.org.za/research/national-directors-inaugural-address-20-october-2005/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Taking Africa Seriously from Within and Without. 2005. https://saiia.org.za/research/national-directors-inaugural-address-20-october-2005/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Taking Africa Seriously from Within and Without |date=20 October 2005 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/national-directors-inaugural-address-20-october-2005/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2005taking, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Taking Africa Seriously from Within and Without}}, publisher = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2005}, month = oct, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/national-directors-inaugural-address-20-october-2005/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }