The policies implemented to develop Africa have not helped the continent surmount its difficulties, poverty, unemployment; the lack of infrastructure ...

To put this right, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has decided to make structural transformation the central piece at the Annual Meetings officially opened on May 27 in Marrakech, Morocco, a forum to deliberate on the best development strategies.

At the beginning of the meeting, representatives of think thanks on the subject recalled the challenges to be met that should enable the continent meet its objectives. The title of the panel discussion was "Policies for Africa's Structural Transformation: What is the Role of Think Thanks?"

What transformation for Africa to further its long-term development? This is the question that the African Development Bank (AfDB) is called upon to answer during the Annual Meetings held in Marrakech, Morocco. For the continent's in-depth transformation, two major objectives have been put forward: inclusive growth which means taking on board all categories of African populations and green growth for the optimal use of her natural resources.

Representatives of thank tanks who examined and discussed the issue of the continent's structural transformation recalled the challenges to be met to put right the failures of development policies. They unanimously agreed that Africa should count on her own capacities and ability to attain these objectives.

Africans only can develop their continent and nobody else, they affirmed. "How can we develop our continent if we do not believe in what we are doing nor in our institutions? There will be no structural transformation if Africans do not believe in themselves and if they continue to import solutions forced on them by foreign countries", points out Nkosana Moyo, an official at the Mandela Institute for development studies (Minds).

In the same vein,Sarah SSewanya, Director of the political and research centre of Kampala, Uganda, feels that Africa should make use of her resources for her very development. Proper skills training, given the low level of technical talents, are one of the most important challenges to be met by the continent.

Another challenge remains: the development of new information and communication technologies. The continent, in this area is lagging far behind. Even if the last few years have seen the development of the mobile telephone in many countries, means of communication are still poor and need upgrading. This is equally true for the continents self -sufficiency in energy resources that is lacking in many African countries still experiencing regular power cuts.

In this regard, what is the role of our leaders? They are frequently blamed for their inability to respond to the needs of their populations. They have a role to play in the continent's structural transformation. According to the different speakers, they should show a higher level of devotion to duty and ready to serve their countries for the common good of their populations.