DailySun
Kako Nubupko has stepped down from his role as commissioner of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) to pursue academic pursuits.
The former Togolese minister for forward planning and public policy evaluation engages with Hichem Ben Yaïche regarding his recent book Africa and the Rest of the World: From Dependence to Sovereignty and articulates his visions for a future that prioritizes agriculture, investment, and good governance.
How would you summarize your experience as Commissioner of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, from which you have just departed?
After three and a half invigorating years at the Commission, overseeing agriculture, water resources, and environmental issues, I am redirecting my focus back to academia. For sustainable self-sufficiency, it is essential that we produce and consume our agricultural commodities. The fate of our planet hinges on our dedication to preserving natural ecosystems. Therefore, the health of our environment—encompassing both water and air—is fundamentally vital for life.
I have held two terms at the Commission. My initial term ran from 2009 to 2012, during which I led economic analysis and research efforts. We developed the UEMOA-2020 Vision, tackling critical issues. My return aimed at implementing some foundational strategies. I was acutely aware of the urgent concerns, particularly regarding initiatives I championed, which will continue, especially the review of the Commission’s agricultural policy—a crucial topic considering the resurgence of regional coalitions.
What key factors should be emphasized to realize the ‘African dream’?
There are five crucial factors: labor, capital, technological advancement, governance quality, and institutional integrity.
The latest Business Ready report from the World Bank, published in October, highlights Rwanda as Africa’s leading reforming nation. Togo emerges as a frontrunner in West Africa, ranking fifth on the continent economically. Nevertheless, the outcomes are notably disparate according to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, with some nations displaying significantly greater progress.
These advancements encompass economic achievements alongside equitable wealth distribution, ensuring no substantial segment of the population is left behind. From this vantage point, I detect a trend towards global standardization of issues.
In this context, the neo-liberal globalization model increasingly breeds exclusion. We have observed this in Britain with Brexit, in the United States during Donald Trump’s presidency, and similarly across Africa.
For a prolonged period, the welfare state has mitigated these exclusions in wealthier nations. However, we are increasingly witnessing the erosion of the welfare state in the North. Since Africa has never had a welfare state, now is the crucial time for it to create systems capable of navigating the societal shocks it confronts.
Which sectors ought to be prioritized for prosperity?
I propose focusing on three key sectors: first, agriculture. We possess abundant land and a youthful demographic. There is no reason not to advance agricultural development.
The second initiative involves implementing a Marshall Plan for Africa, incorporating significant investments in transitions—especially ecological transitions.
The third focal point is ensuring coherence among the state, territory, and society. Our governance needs to be more inclusive, emphasizing accountability. We must communicate to society how public funds are utilized and the direction we are taking, fostering a collaborative relationship where citizens are partners in the journey toward what I refer to as shared prosperity. I would like to quote Professor Joseph Ki-Zerbo at the beginning of my book: ‘If we lie down, we are dead.’ We must collectively forge pathways to shared prosperity.
How will these factors influence Africa’s success or failure?
The primary factor is agriculture, particularly the agro-ecological intensification of production systems. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has highlighted that governments cannot sustain subsidies for chemical fertilizers when the price of potash has increased fourfold in just six months. With 500 million hectares of arable land and a billion young individuals, harnessing their potential through agriculture can address many challenges related to food security, job creation, and lowering import costs. Take Senegal, for example: while the country imports a large amount of rice, it also successfully cultivates it in Casamance!
The second critical area is substantial investment in ecological transition. Africa hosts the Congo Basin forest, often referred to as the planet’s second ‘lung.’ We must not allow this vital resource to deteriorate. International collaborations should focus on financing ecological transitions in Africa; this initiative ought to be perceived not as charity but as investments founded on environmental solidarity.
Lastly, the third essential concern is governance. Current crises illustrate that we are approaching the limits of the independence consensus, particularly regarding the principle of the inviolability of borders established during colonial times. In response to jihadist movements, we are encountering an urgent necessity for territorial reconfiguration. This necessitates a novel vision, governance approach, and a more localized method of crafting solutions. It’s apparent that formal democracies are universally deteriorating.
Africa faces internal challenges such as jihadism and trafficking. How can these issues be addressed without significant resources?
Political scientist Bertrand Badie speaks of an ‘imported state’. It is vital to remember that our states are merely 75 years old!
As a result, these states grapple with enormous transaction costs stemming from diverse populations that have not voluntarily formed. This situation consumes significant time and resources, and, in the face of jihadist threats, even expansive nation-states find their financial capacity limited.
There is an urgent need to reformulate interactions among the state, territory, and society. Therefore, regional integration fueled by military, civilian, and leadership forces becomes crucial. This is our primary focus.
How can your ideas be made actionable?
It’s a cultural struggle. Convincing a billion young Africans that they have the power to change their realities is no small feat. The first essential element for success is building confidence. It’s crucial to recognize that colonization’s most profound effect was the ‘inferiorization’ of the African.
Ultimately, the lingering mindset is that we are not entirely capable of asserting our sovereignty across all areas. I have devoted considerable effort to clarifying the challenges surrounding the CFA currency, demonstrating that we can free ourselves from voluntary servitude by revisiting our pre-colonial monetary history.
This is a relentless battle. In such a cultural conflict, three factors must consistently be considered: vision, governance methodologies, and the establishment of robust monitoring and evaluation systems. These are fundamental. Progress is inherently dynamic, emerging from processes rather than static conditions.
We are witnessing a powerful call for emancipation from Africa’s youth. Their demand to us, as leaders, is to protect the common good and prioritize the general interest. This underscores the challenges we face, as we often struggle to articulate reforms. It is vital to have leaders committed to the common good and the general interest. These leaders must also be skilled in communicating reforms and conveying to the youth the realities unfolding in their societies.
This is why I discuss the concept of ‘pan-Africanism of withdrawal’ in my book. The initial phase could involve challenging the status quo. We must work collaboratively and co-create with others. Africa is not isolated; interdependent relationships are essential in charting its future, rather than remaining in the state of dependence that characterizes the current integration of African economies into global trade.
