Global Crisis May Be an Opportunity for Africa!

This is the view of an expert at the World Economic Forum for Africa which concluded June 6th in Cape Town, South Africa, World Bank Vice-President for Africa, Obiageli Ezekwesili. Her view is that the Global Food crisis has put the focus back on the food sector which in the past was Africa’s competitive advantage but which in recent decades has shifted to the background in favour of commercial agriculture and industrial development. “Agriculture is back on the agenda and with the right kind of public investment” and stands a chance of increasing productivity. The World Bank, for example, is doubling lending for Africa from 450 million to 800 million U.S. dollars starting with financial year 2010 and beyond. Other key agricultural development agencies are giving great effort and support to spur a green revolution in Africa having the support of smallholder farmers and the effective exploitation of “breadbasket” regions as its basis. Things are looking up for Africa’s farmers who have been long neglected in the push for economic progress.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/07/content_8325788.htm