ANU Africa Network

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This website was established in 2013 by David Lucas, and renovated and relaunched in 2020 as part of a project to increase awareness of Africa and African studies in the ANU and the ACT, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Another outcome of that project was a major research report, published in August 2021, African Studies at the Australian National University and in the Australian Capital Territory, analyzing the past, present and future of the study of Africa at the Australian National University and the wider Australian University sector.

The major innovation on this updated website is the creation of the ACT Africa Expert Directory which lists experts on Africa from institutions around the ACT, primarily the ANU. We will continue to curate this list, offering a key resource for media, government and non-government organizations seeking expert facts and opinions on Africa. Individuals can request to be added to the list by contacting the website managers.

Another notable addition is the expanded directory of PhD theses on Africa produced in the territory’s universities, a solid measure of the vitality of the study of Africa in the city of Canberra.

Reviewing these directories, it is revealing to note that the vast majority of research on Africa is produced by disciplinary experts (environmental scientists, economists, demographers, etc.) rather than area studies experts. This means that the study of Africa is woven into the fabric of the research culture of the ANU and the ACT’s other universities in ways that are not necessarily apparent.

 

Technology Transfers Between China and Ethiopia

‘Does China’s BRI and Private Investment Abroad Help Industrial Development in the Third World? Tenuous Technology Transfers Between China and Ethiopia’

Speaker Dr Liang Chen

Hosted by Australian Centre on China in the World

Date and time
Thu 14th Mar 2024, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm AEDT

Location
Seminar Room + Online, Australian Centre on China in the World
The Australian National University, Building 188, Fellows La, Acton ACT 2601, Australia

Event description
China’s quick expansion in the developing world, in particular the Sub-Sahara African countries, has spawned public debates and generated new fields of scholarship over the past couple of decades. In this talk, I will examine whether China’s Belt and Road (BRI) projects and private investment contribute to the industrial development in Africa through the lens of technology transfer. My findings are drawn from three case studies of Chinese firms in Ethiopia. Counterintuitively, my study shows that this process is not a straightforward process in which China holds the reins, as is generally assumed. African countries and people, though less economically developed, have demonstrated that they hold bargaining power vis-à-vis Chinese investments and technological transfers at the intra-firm level. Through interviews in Ethiopia with Chinese managers, technicians and workers and their Ethiopian counterparts, this research reveals that technology transfer is entangled with global and local forces, power contestations between Chinese and Africans, and managerial considerations. These transference processes are not developmentally driven nor driven by political efforts at solidarity with the Third World as in the days of Mao. Transferring technology is also a slow process that has some spillover effects on other domains such as labour relations. It is hoped that this research will supplement and add insights into other scholars’ research on technology transfer and market forces in developing countries.

Registration

https://ciw.anu.edu.au/event/does-chinas-bri-and-private-investment-abroad-help-industrial-development-third-world-tenuous

 

 

Happy International Women’s Day!

 

Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible achievements of women worldwide. In honour of this occasion, let’s highlight the remarkable women who contribute to the ANU African Studies Network (ASN). Here they are: 

Karo Moret-Miranda:  

Karo is a lecturer at the Australian National University School of History, focusing on African and Afro-descendant studies. Her work delves into the enduring impacts of colonialism and aims to challenge racism and xenophobia, advocating for marginalized voices to be heard and valued. Karo gave a keynote speech at the 2023 ASN Conference. Thank you, Karo! 

Audrey Kalindi:  

Audrey completed her PhD at the Australian National University, specializing in maternal and child health. With a background in demography and economics from the University of Zambia, she employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to study population health disparities, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Audrey was the committee chair of the 2023 ASN Conference, where she did an exceptional job. Happy International Women’s Day to you, Audrey! 

Miranda Zvidza:  

Miranda, a Business Development Manager at ANU and founder of “Elevate Growth Consultancy,” is dedicated to uplifting the African Community in Australia. Through coaching, speaking engagements, and consultancy, she integrates her expertise, experiences, and faith to foster personal and entrepreneurial growth. Miranda’s support of the ASN, especially in business development, is incredible. Enjoy your day, Miranda! 

Safiya Okai-Ugbaje:  

Safiya is a systems thinker and researcher with a focus on IT for development (IT4D) and educational technologies. She is particularly interested in the practical applications of AI and large language models to address challenges in emerging economies. Safiya is an active member of the ASN. 

Hilda Agyekum:  

Hilda, a PhD student at the Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU, previously worked in research and evaluation in Ghana. With a background in disability studies, she now engages with broader development issues, serving as a college representative for African studies at ANU. 

Rita Agha: 

Rita is a PhD student at the UNESCO Chair in Science Communication for Public Good at the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University. Her research interests are in the areas of sexual and reproductive health care and the sociology of communication in Africa. Rita’s work seeks to contribute insights to these critical areas, reflecting her commitment to fostering positive societal change through scientific communication. She has been the co-convener of the ASN since 2023, and the network has grown exponentially under her leadership. Good job, Rita! 

Happy International Women’s Day!

 

Happy Independence, Ghana!

Sound: Part of Ghana’s National Anthem, retrieved from the CIA World Factbook.

Today, we celebrate Ghana, the first African country in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence in 1957. The country was previously called the “Gold Coast” by its colonizer, Britain. Ghana has a rich socio-political and economic history that has influenced its current development.

Let’s now dig deeper into the socio-economic and political context of the country.

Politics and History

While diverse, present-day Ghana was largely dominated by the Asante Asante Kingdom until the 19th Century, when the British finally colonized it. However, the brave Asante and other ethnic groups persistently resisted British imperialism and gained independence in 1957 under Kwame Nkrumah.

After Nkrumah, the country went into political turmoil again, with numerous coups. Specifically, after taking power in the early 1980s, Lt. Jerry Rawlings cracked down on freedom and banned political parties and constitutionalism. He only restored multiparty rule in 1992, marking a turning point in the country’s political history. A series of elections have been held in the country since then. President Akufo-Addo is now serving his second term in office after re-election in 2020, and the country is gearing up for another election in 2024.

Ghana is often used as one of Africa’s most stable democracies and an active player in international affairs. According to the World Bank, the country ranks among the top three African countries for freedom of speech and press. But Ghana’s ascent to the international stage is not new. In fact, the country’s founding father, Kwame Nkrumah, was a dedicated pan-Africanist and the founding member of the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union. Nkrumah’s successors have inherited the same pan-African spirit. Ghana, for instance, is an active player in peacekeeping missions abroad and a prominent member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc. In 1960, for instance, Ghana participated in the peacekeeping operation in the Congo and the Liberian and Sierra Leonean crises in the early 1990s. In June 2021, Ghana was elected to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2022–2023 term. 

Ghana is one of the African countries with diplomatic representation in Canberra.

Economy and society

In 2019, Ghana was crowned the world’s fastest-growing economy. However, the country is now battling some of the highest inflation rates it has seen in decades. Measured at 50.3% in 2022, Ghana witnessed a very high inflation rate. However, in January 2024, the annual inflation rate increased to 23.5% from 23.2% in the prior month, staying well above the central bank’s target band of 6% to 10% (Trading Economics, 2024). The World Bank estimated growth in Ghana at as low as 1.5% in 2023, remaining muted in 2024, and will be 2.8%. In 2021, the country’s public debt rose from 79.6% to over 90% of GDP in 2022. The country is not doing very badly in terms of unemployment, as the highest unemployment rate it has registered since the 1990s was 10% in the year 2000. In fact, in 2022, the unemployment rate in Ghana was estimated at just about 3.5%. 

With a GDP of US$77.3 billion in 2022, Ghana is Africa’s 10th largest country by GDP. The country relies on gold, cocoa, and oil exports. Originally known as the “Gold Coast,”  Ghana is Africa’s largest gold producer, with gold accounting for over 40% of its export earnings. The per capita GDP of Ghana was US$2203.6 in 2022 (the 18th highest in Africa). In fact, in 2010, Ghana achieved middle-income status.

About 56% of Ghanaians were under the age of 25 in 2020, and the country achieved an urbanisation rate of 59.2% in 2023 and a literacy rate of 79% (2018 estimate). 

Happy 67th Independence Day, Ghana!

Parry’s Thursday seminar on irrigation in southern African

See Susan’s biography in yesterday’s post. The Thursday talk on campus is on ‘Transforming irrigation in southern Africa’ 

Join from the meeting link
https://aciar.webex.com/aciar/j.php?MTID=mb04a4f41c0c57e31bbe3e46f68ab0097

From Susan.O’Connell @aciar.gov.au

Join by meeting number
Meeting number (access code): 2650 838 7290
Meeting password: GPqpyMPM352

Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)
+61-2-9338-2221,,26508387290## Australia Toll

Join by phone
+61-2-9338-2221 Australia Toll
Global call-in numbers

Join from a video system or application
Dial 26508387290@aciar.webex.com
You can also dial 210.4.202.4 and enter your meeting number.

Shaping Africa’s Tomorrow: Unveiling the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan!

The African Union launched its Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) for Agenda 2063 on February 17, 2024.

The continent is moving forward, and leadership from the African Union is driving the direction of development with the powerful Agenda 2063.
There are rivers still to cross, but we don’t walk alone in Africa; we walk together.

The document for the launch of the STYIP defines 7 aspirations for the continent, 20 accompanying goals, and 10 moonshot interventions to attain the aspirations.

:

Africa’s GDP growth trajectory (4%) is much higher than the global average (2.7% – 3.2%).

70% of African countries are already upper or lower-middle-income countries.

60% of Africa’s population is under 25, and by 2030 42% of global youth will be in Africa.

In 37 African countries, less than half the population can afford 1GB of data a month (giving context to improvements needed for the continent).

The STYIP launch notes that Africa has partnerships across the world and that it will “increasingly engage in alliances,” such as its recent membership in the G20.

The STYIP also notes that African countries are increasingly taking common positions on many issues pertaining to the continent’s development, such as the AfCFTA (the Continental Free Trade Agreement), Africa’s Common Position on Food Systems, Environment, and Climate Change Issues, and Collectively Addressing Pandemics such as Ebola and COVID-19.

This all comes at a time of shifting geopolitics, slow recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and slowing global growth in the decade preceding it. Africa is rising as a strong and growing continent.

Taken together, these facts and the language of the STYIP show that the stage is set for Africa to be a partner for countries like Australia for mutual benefit and development.

As Africa advances to a unified position in the world and the African Renaissance occurs, nobody will want to be left out of the chance to be friendly with this majestic and growing continent.

This short piece was written by Estelle Stambolie for the ANU African Studies Network.

Dr Karen Parry’s Biography

From: https://researchers.anu.edu.au/researchers/parry-k

Circular Food System project: Theme Leader for Equity & Inclusion
ANU College of Science
E: Karen.Parry@anu.edu.au

I have recently completed my PhD entitled ‘Loosening the ties that bind: institutional analysis of young people’s livelihoods on smallholder irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe’. My research was linked to an ACIAR-funded project ‘Transforming irrigation in southern Africa’ (TISA), which I particpated in as a part-time research assistant. TISA has transitioned into a new project focusing on introducing circular food systems to smallholder irrigation schemes in Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. My role in this new project is Theme Leader for Equity & Inclusion, and actiities include coordinating gender, youth and inclusion analysis to inform project implementation and support research on changes arising from inclusive design. This postdoctoral position will allow me to also scope additional research, and I anticpate a focus on young people’s perspectives on what constitutes an attractive livelihood around smallholder irrigation schemes and their engagement in local savings and loans groups. I am fortunate that my role requires me to make research trips to southern Africa on a regular basis.

Namibian President Hage Geingob dies at age 82

Namibia is plunged into sorrow as the nation mourns the passing of President Hage Geingob at the age of 82. Having led the country since 2015, President Geingob succumbed to cancer at the Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek, where he had been undergoing treatment.

In reflection of this significant loss, we extend our heartfelt condolences and hope that the departed president finds rest.

What do we know about Namibia?

Namibia’s rich political history encompasses its colonization by Germany in 1884, followed by occupation by South Africa in 1915. After World War II, South Africa annexed the territory and administered it as a mandate until 1988. The journey to independence was marked by the SWAPO guerrilla group’s war of independence, culminating in Namibia gaining its sovereignty in 1990.

SWAPO, now the ruling party, has transitioned from its Marxist roots over the years. President Hage Geingob assumed office in 2015, succeeding Hifikepunye Pohamba, who had served two terms. Geingob’s initial landslide victory in 2014 was followed by his reelection in 2019, albeit with a reduced majority. This marked a shift, as SWAPO narrowly lost its parliamentary supermajority in the same elections.

As we reflect on Namibia’s current state, the nation boasts a population of approximately 2.7 million (2023 est.), with an urbanization rate of 54.9% and a life expectancy of 63.7 years (2023 est.). The GDP stands at $12.372 billion (2019 est.), with a per capita income of $9,100 (2021 est.). According to the World Bank, Namibia is an upper-middle-income country. Namibia achieved this through its resource wealth (mostly gold and uranium), political stability, and sound macroeconomic management. A 2023 ranking by Yahoo Finance put Namibia 12th among the richest countries in Africa by GDP per capita.

Africa seen as an important future source of international students

A report by The Lygon Group, commissioned by Universities Australia, suggests that by 2050, the nations of sub-Saharan Africa will be the “new China and perhaps India” – Australia’s current top two sources for international students.

“Meanwhile, the continent of Africa is projected to change in the opposite direction with a steady growth in the percentage of working-age people,” the report reads.

“Education will be key to ensuring the continent’s trajectory is to achieve the goal of ‘getting rich before it gets old’.”

African Union to focus on Education in 2024!

Embracing Nelson Mandela’s wisdom that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” underscores the critical role education plays in shaping Africa’s future.

As the continent experiences unprecedented growth, with its population set to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, investing in quality education becomes paramount.

The statistics from UNESCO reveal a concerning reality, with over one-fifth of children aged 6 to 11 in Sub-Saharan Africa out of school, along with one-third of youth aged 12 to 14. Additionally, nearly 60% of young people aged 15 to 17 are not enrolled in educational institutions. This situation calls for urgency to address the educational gaps and ensure every young African has access to quality learning opportunities.

Despite the education challenges on the continent, progress has been made. Namibia, Libya, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, and South Africa have witnessed notable achievements, with literacy rates reaching as high as 92%.

Over the past decade, African governments and development partners have committed unprecedented efforts to guarantee that no child is left behind in accessing education.

This year’s African Union theme, “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa,” reflects a collective commitment to shaping a future-ready African generation.

We applaud the African Union, governments, and development partners for prioritising education, acknowledging that it is a key driver for progress, innovation, and societal transformation in the 21st century.

Together, we strive towards building resilient education systems that empower every African with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.