Development Thinking and Practice in Africa: ECA's Contribution

The Macroeconomic Policy Division (MPD) of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) will on 20-21 November, 2017 convene an ad-hoc expert group meeting to review the 2018 edition of the Economic Report on Africa (ERA), on the theme: Development Thinking and Practice in Africa: ECAs contributions.

ECA is turning 60 in 2018. Sixty-year old institutions, like sixty-year old people, can be permitted some anniversary reminiscences, along with a few questions - where did we come from, what have we done, what have we achieved, and where are we going.

This Report, therefore, is prepared for ECA to look back over the years at this milestone diamond jubilee celebration, and examine its contribution to the various schools of thoughts, the role these schools influenced the development and structural transformation of Africa towards a globally competitive and inclusive continent.

Furthermore, it is important for this Report to draw out critical lessons that could inform ECA's influence on development thinking on the Continent's development aspirations as well as provide solid policy advice to the continent for sustainable inclusive growth and effective engagement on the global stage in the future.

The objective of this meeting, which brings together prominent experts, from within and outside the continent, is to carefully review the draft Report, discuss its findings and guide the articulation of relevant policy messages, recommendations and directions for ECA and the African continent that will meaningfully contribute to enhancing Africa's development landscape.