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IWD 2023: Women, inclusion and innovation by Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi

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On March 8 of every year, the world celebrates women everywhere regardless of racial, ethnic, economic or educational differences. The attributes and strides of women are trumpeted, and their continued struggles highlighted for intervention. I‘ve always found it gratifying that the world stops to reflect on the wonders of its greatest asset— women!

This time-honoured tradition of designating a day to celebrate women, which became officially universal  in 1977, is a heritage born from the struggles of women across continents to actualize fundamental rights to vote, work, organize and pursue their cherished aspirations. These struggles were shaped by revolution and protest, exacting costly sacrifices.

We have come a long way indeed, but must always remember those who paved the way, and draw from their inspiration so as to appreciate the weight of the sacred baton handed down to us. We must continue to carry this baton until women everywhere shatter all barriers to their full liberation and rightful participation in society.

It is with a full consciousness of the meaning behind the International Women’s Day that I approach March 8 every year. As a woman who has faced and overcome great challenges in my journey to social and professional actualisation— as is the story of too many women— this day speaks to our defiance and triumphs despite stiff resistance and gruelling odds.

It always breaks my heart whenever discriminatory experiences of women in the world of work are shared. And I can relate, having experienced my own fair share. When women’s professional competence is dismissed because they’re women, it strikes at the soul. When hard working women rise to the top but have their success questioned because they’re women, it is a travesty. When innovative women present their brilliant proposals for consideration but receive condescending and patronizing gestures instead, it is shameful. As long as the ideas, hard work and success of women anywhere continue to be questioned, even dismissed, because they are women, the struggle for equity is still far off. Women must be accorded their due respect, professionally and otherwise. Their ideas, skills and results must be evaluated in their own rights. This is the only way to go!

Reflecting on the theme for this year’s celebration— DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality— I grapple with feelings of ambivalence. On the one hand, I am excited that in the world of innovation and technology, women all over the world are helping to reimagine the world and create a future defined by new and more advanced thinking, systems and products.

To move from the battlegrounds of sweatshops and breadlines to the disruptive space of technology and innovation is quite the progress. Women have indeed come a long way.

However, I am troubled by how unevenly distributed this progress has been. In many developing countries, the scourge of millions of out-of-school young girls is still rife. Access to basic education has been very limited. For many of these girls, the battle is one of literacy and basic education— that centuries-old problem now distant history in many an advanced economy— not digital inclusion. We have a long way still to go!

Even in places where women have some access to innovation and technology, the numbers are concerning. Women make up only under a third of the workforce in STEM and only 22% of AI workers globally; the gender digital divide in access to the internet in the world’s least developed countries is at a staggering 32.9%; women’s exclusion from the digital world has shaved USD 1 trillion from the GDP of low- and middle-income countries in the last decade—a loss estimated to increase to USD 1.5 trillion by 2025 without necessary action.

Bridging the digital divide and expanding access to technology and innovation for women requires strategic thinking and sustained targeted action. For Africa, opportunities around free trade, cross-border economic engagement, and multi-country collaboration and resource-pooling represent just the right vehicle to drive this inclusion.

The socio-economic exclusion of women in Africa, can best be addressed through strategic collaboration. And the reason is not far-fetched. With limited resources and an exploding population, many African countries are struggling to meet the demands of inclusion and development. The restriction-free international trade vehicle offers a unique opportunity for more women to access opportunities across borders, widening access and multiplying alternatives.

The cross-border trade intervention, in its different forms— bilateral, multilateral, continental—  has continued to expand opportunities for women in health, education, agriculture, services and industry. It must now be harnessed to accelerate inclusion of women in technology and innovation. With the African Continental Trade Area agreement (AfCFTA), a powerful vehicle for accessing the single largest African market ever has been built.

Innovators and entrepreneurs from one end of Africa can leverage on opportunities from another end of Africa to create platforms for innovation and technology capacity development for women and girls. We are already seeing these play out through the rapid travel of digital and educational platforms between African countries, a development laying the groundwork for empowerment of women in innovation and technology. These must be sustained and expanded.

Given the massive costs to development, income and opportunity, it is time to push hard for the inclusion of more women in innovation and technology. This struggle can afford no bystanders. Everyone is a stakeholder. Government, private sector, third sector, NGOs and individuals must play their part. We must embrace equity in innovation and technology, and as we do, remember that the battle for women’s inclusion in many other areas is still not won.

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Let’s merge EAC and Igad, By Nuur Mohamud Sheekh

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In an era of political and economic uncertainty, global crises and diminishing donor contributions, Africa’s regional economic communities (RECs) must reimagine their approach to regional integration.

The East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), two critical RECs in East Africa and the Horn of Africa have an unprecedented opportunity to join forces, leveraging their respective strengths to drive sustainable peace and development and advance regional economic integration and promote the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Already, four of the eight Igad member states are also members of the EAC and, with Ethiopia and Sudan showing interest, the new unified bloc would be formidable.

Igad’s strength lies in regional peacemaking, preventive diplomacy, security, and resilience, especially in a region plagued by protracted conflicts, climate challenges, and humanitarian crises. The EAC, on the other hand, has made remarkable strides in economic integration, exemplified by its Customs Union, Common Market, and ongoing efforts toward a monetary union. Combining these comparative advantages would create a formidable entity capable of addressing complex challenges holistically.

Imagine a REC that pairs Igad’s conflict resolution strengths with the EAC’s diplomatic standing and robust economic framework. Member states of both are also contributing troops to peacekeeping missions. Such a fusion would streamline efforts to create a peaceful and economically prosperous region, addressing the root causes of instability while simultaneously promoting trade investment and regional cooperation.

These strengths will be harnessed to deal with inter-state tensions that we are currently witnessing, including between Ethiopia and Somalia over the Somaliland MoU, strained relations between Djibouti and Eritrea, and the continually deteriorating relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

The global economy experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by the Ukraine war and competing global crises, has strained donor countries and reduced financial contributions to multilateral organisations and African RECs. Member states, many of which are grappling with fiscal constraints, are increasingly unable to fill this gap, failing to make timely contributions, which is in turn affecting key mandate areas of Igad and EAC, and staff morale.

A merger between Igad and EAC would alleviate this financial pressure by eliminating redundancies. Shared administrative systems, integrated programmes, and a unified leadership structure would optimise resources, enabling the new REC to achieve more with less. Staff rationalisation, while sensitive, is a necessary step to ensure that limited funds are channelled toward impactful initiatives rather than duplicative overheads.

The African Union (AU) envisions a fully integrated Africa, with RECs serving as the building blocks of the AfCFTA. A unified EAC-Igad entity would become a powerhouse for regional integration, unlocking economies of scale and harmonising policies across a wider geographical and economic landscape.

This merger would enhance the implementation of the AfCFTA by creating a larger, more cohesive market that attracts investment, fosters innovation, and increases competitiveness. By aligning trade policies, infrastructure projects, and regulatory frameworks, the new REC could serve as a model for others, accelerating continental integration.

The road to integration is not without obstacles. Political will, divergent institutional mandates, and the complexity of harmonising systems pose significant challenges. However, these hurdles are surmountable through inclusive dialogue, strong leadership, and a phased approach to integration.

Member states must prioritise the long-term benefits of unity over short-term political considerations. Civil society, the private sector, the youth, and international partners also have a critical role to play in advocating for and supporting this transformative initiative.

The time for EAC and Igad to join forces is now. By merging into a single REC, they would pool their strengths, optimise resources, and position themselves as a driving force for regional and continental integration. In doing so, they would not only secure a prosperous future for their citizens and member states but also advance the broader vision of an integrated and thriving Africa.

As the world grapples with crises, Africa must look inward, embracing the power of unity to achieve its potential. A combined Igad-EAC is the bold step forward that the continent needs.

Nuur Mohamud Sheekh, a diplomatic and geopolitical analyst based in London, is a former spokesperson of the Igad Executive Secretary. X: @NuursViews

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Budgets, budgeting and budget financing, By Sheriffdeen A. Tella, Ph.D.

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The budget season is here again. It is an institutional and desirable annual ritual. Revenue collection and spending at the federal, State and local government levels must be authorised and guided by law. That is what budget is all about. A document containing the estimates of projected revenues from identified sources and the proposed expenditure for different sectors in the appropriate level of government. The last two weeks have seen the delivery of budget drafts to various Houses of Assembly and the promise that the federal government would present its draft budget to the National Assembly.

Do people still look forward to the budget presentation and the contents therein? I am not sure. Citizens have realised that these days, governments often spend money without reference to the approved budget. A governor can just wake up and direct that a police station be built in a location. With no allocation in the budget, the station will be completed in three months. The President can direct from his bathroom that 72 trailers of maize be distributed to the 36 states as palliatives. No budget provision, and no discussion by relevant committee or group.

We still operate with the military mentality. We operated too long under the military and of the five Presidents we have in this democracy, two of them were retired military Heads of State. Between them, they spent 16 years of 25 years of democratic governance. Hopefully, we are done with them physically but not mentally. Most present governors grew up largely under military regimes with the command system. That is why some see themselves as emperor and act accordingly. Their direct staff and commissioners are “Yes” men and women. There is need for disorientation.

The importance of budget in the art of governance cannot be overemphasized. It is one of the major functions of the legislature because without the consideration and authorisation of spending of funds by this arm of government, the executive has no power to start spending money. There is what we refer to as a budget cycle or stages. The budget drafting stage within the purview of the executive arm is the first stage and, followed by the authorisation stage where the legislature discusses, evaluates and tinkers with the draft for approval before presenting it to the President for his signature.

Thereafter, the budget enters the execution phase or cycle where programmes and projects are executed by the executive arm with the legislature carrying out oversight functions. Finally, we enter the auditing phase when the federal and State Auditors verify and report on the execution of the budgets. The report would normally be submitted to the Legislature. Many Auditor Generals have fallen victim at this stage for daring to query the executives on some aspects of the execution in their reports.

A new budget should contain the objectives and achievements of the preceding budget in the introduction as the foundation for the budget. More appropriately, a current budget derives its strength from a medium-term framework which also derives its strength from a national Development Plan or a State Plan. An approved National Plan does not exist currently, although the Plan launched by the Muhammadu Buhari administration is in the cooler. President Tinubu, who is acclaimed to be the architect of the Lagos State long-term Plan seems curiously, disillusioned with a national Plan.

Some States like Oyo and Kaduna, have long-term Plans that serve as the source of their annual budgets. Economists and policymakers see development plans as instruments of salvation for developing countries. Mike Obadan, the former Director General of the moribund Nigeria Centre for Economic and Management Administration, opined that a Plan in a developing country serves as an instrument to eradicate poverty, achieve high rates of economic growth and promote economic and social development.

The Nigerian development plans were on course until the adoption of the World Bank/IMF-inspired Structural Adjustment Programme in 1986 when the country and others that adopted the programme were forced to abandon such plan for short-term stabilisation policies in the name of a rolling plan. We have been rolling in the mud since that time. One is not surprised that the Tinubu administration is not looking at the Buhari Development Plan since the government is World Bank/IMF compliant. It was in the news last week that our President is an American asset and by extension, Nigeria’s policies must be defined by America which controls the Bretton Woods institutions.

A national Plan allows the citizens to monitor quantitatively, the projects and programmes being executed or to be executed by the government through the budgeting procedure. It is part of the definitive measures of transparency and accountability which most Nigerian governments do not cherish. So, you cannot pin your government down to anything.

Budgets these days hardly contain budget performance in terms of revenue, expenditure and other achievements like several schools, hospitals, small-scale enterprises, etc, that the government got involved in successfully and partially. These are the foundation for a new budget like items brought forward in accounting documents. The new budget should state the new reforms or transformations that would be taking place. Reforms like shifting from dominance of recurrent expenditure to capital expenditure; moving from the provision of basic needs programmes to industrialisation, and from reliance on foreign loans to dependence on domestic fund mobilisation for executing the budget.

That brings us to the issue of budget deficit and borrowing. When an economy is in recession, expansionary fiscal policy is recommended. That is, the government will need to spend more than it receives to pump prime the economy. If this is taken, Nigeria has always had a deficit budget, implying that we are always in economic recession. The fact is that even when we had a surplus in our balance of payment that made it possible to pay off our debts, we still had a deficit budget. We are so used to borrowing at the national level that stopping it will look like the collapse of the Nigerian state. The States have also followed the trend. Ordinarily, since States are largely dependent on the federal government for funds, they should promote balanced budget.

The States are like a schoolboy who depends on his parents for school fees and feeding allowance but goes about borrowing from classmates. Definitely, it is the parents that will surely pay the debt. The debt forgiveness mentality plays a major role in the process. Having enjoyed debt forgiveness in the past, the federal government is always in the credit market and does not caution the State governments in participating in the market. Our Presidents don’t feel ashamed when they are begging for debt forgiveness in international forum where issues on global development are being discussed. Not less than twice I have watched the countenance of some Presidents, even from Africa, while they looked at our president with disdain when issues of debt forgiveness for African countries was raised.

In most cases, the government, both at the federal and state cannot show the product of loans, except those lent by institutions like the World Bank or African Development Bank for specific projects which are monitored by the lending institutions. In other cases, the loans are stolen and transferred abroad while we are paying the loans. In some other cases, the loans are diverted to projects other than what the proposal stated. There was a case of loans obtained based on establishing an international car park in the border of the State but diverted to finance the election of a politician in the State. The politician eventually lost the election but the citizens of the State have to be taxed to pay the loan. Somebody as “Nigeria we hail thee”.

Transformation in budgeting should commence subsequently at the State and federal level. Now that local government will enjoy some financial autonomy and therefore budgeting process, they should be legally barred from contracting foreign loans. They have no business participating in the market. They should promote balanced budget where proposed expenditures must equal the expected revenues from federal and internal sources. The State government that cannot mobilise, from records, up to 40 percent of its total budget from IGR should not be supported to contract foreign loans. The States should engage in a balanced budget. The federal government budget should shift away from huge allocations to recurrent expenditure towards capital expenditure for capital formation and within the context of a welfarist state.

Sheriffdeen A. Tella, Ph.D.

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