By Ted Carter

I recently attended the National Forum for Black Public Administrator’s (NFBPA) annual conference in Baltimore. Founded in 1983, the NFBPA membership has grown to include managers and executives in all disciplines represented in state and local governments. The association’s membership also embraces graduate students, deans, and faculty at schools of public administration and executives in the corporate sector. It is a powerful nationwide network of Black public sector leadership.

At the conference I was delighted to co-moderate NFBPA’s International Panel on the African Union’s Agenda 2063 titled: Collaborative Governance: Best Practices for Transforming Public Administration and Management in Africa. The panel focused on Africa Agenda 2063, an aspirational master plan focused on collaborative and sustainable economic development for the continent, which is anchored by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. When implemented, Africa Agenda 2063 will make Africa the largest economic trading bloc in the world.

With Alicia Clark and Dr. Ezrah Aharone

Alicia Clark, Director of Global Partnerships and Resource Development at the Center for Global Africa joined me as co-moderator and our panel included H.E. Minister Amara Kallon, Minister of Political Affairs & Public Administration, Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ezrah Aharone, Founder of the Center for Global Africa, and Dr. Mauakowa Malata, Vice-Chancellor Malawai University.

The discussion centered on African policy alignment and coherence. Our panelists shared their expert insights and experiences on the following prominent issues:

1. Africa’s future and the intersection of key frameworks, including Africa Agenda 2063 Aspiration 3, emphasizing good governance, capable institutions, and transformative leadership.
2. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 16 and the imperative task of building resilient institutions across Africa.
3. The African Continental free Trade Agreement( ( AfCFTA) and its potential to foster continental and international partnerships, driving economic growth and integration.
4. The role technology and innovation have in advancing service delivery, offering transformative solutions for the continent’s development challenges.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion

Members of the panel emphasized, that in their view, there is both a moral and economic obligation on the part of African Americans to support the advancement of Africa’s aspirations reflected in Agenda 2063 and SDG 16, through investment of their respective knowledge, time, and capital.

Historical and cultural linkages and affinity demands, in their view, the need for mobilization of these resources. Black public administrators offer additional value given their roles and professional experiences with respect to public administration. These efforts will better support government reform on the African continent, which is essential to modernizing democratic processes, mitigating corruption, and creating the needed collaboration and cohesion across the continent to realize the ambitious goals.

The sentiment expressed during the conference aligned with my assessment of the unique opportunity currently represented in Africa.  As I expressed at the forum – “Instead of being deterred by the challenges, we should be inspired and motivated by the opportunities presented in this pivotal moment.”

International Panel on Collective Governance at NFBPA in Baltimore

The Growing Global Importance of Africa

Due to the growing global importance of Africa, public administrators should be interested in Africa for the following reasons:

• The Population Surge in Africa. Africa has the swiftest population expansion globally and is forecast to reach 2.5 billion people by 2050. Led by a vibrant contingent of youth, this presents a tremendous economic opportunity for prosperity, and pioneering the advancement of global alliances. Investing in Africa’s youth through comprehensive education, vocational training, and employment opportunities can potentially yield enduring rewards for the continent and the world at large.
• Africa’s Pivotal & Strategic Geopolitical Importance. Africa holds vital natural resources that help to fuel world-wide supply chains. That has drawn the attention of the U.S., China, and European Union to create strong alliances across the continent. Now that the continent is thrust onto the international stage through its abundant natural resources, public administrators will need to carefully navigate these new and dynamic relationships.
• Promoting Domestic Governance and Stability. Several African nations grapple with poverty, inequalities, corruption, and civil unrest. This was exemplified by recent military coups across the West African and Sahel regions. As such, fortifying democratic institutions remains a paramount objective as it can help resolve public discontentment and promote interregional collaboration. Public administrators can play a vital role in sustainable growth and bolstering the mechanisms of democratic governance.

• Forging Synergistic Global Alliances. Initiatives encompassing the U.S. Africa Leaders’ Summit, Africa’s Digital Metamorphosis, and the AfCFTA Agreement can foster prospects for reciprocally advantageous collaborations and economic integration. Public administrators can work to better leverage these frameworks to foster global literacy, align policies, and cultivate partnerships that drive local impact and sustainable development.

Photo: with UN Mozambique Ambassador Pedro Afonso

How to Get Involved with Africa’s Aspirations

As highlighted during the NFBPA event, there is a compelling need for African Americans to actively support and contribute to the realization of Africa’s aspirations outlined in Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. To get involved, we encourage readers to explore the following opportunities:

• Join organizations like the NFBPA or the Africa-America Institute, which promote leadership development, capacity building, and partnerships between Africa and the African diaspora.
• Contribute to initiatives such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 Domestic Resource Mobilization Strategy or the African Development Bank’s initiatives that support sustainable development, infrastructure, and economic growth on the continent.
• Participate in cultural exchanges, mentorship programs, or skill-sharing initiatives that foster knowledge transfer and collaboration between African Americans and African communities.
• Support education and youth empowerment programs in Africa, such as those focused on STEM education, entrepreneurship, or leadership development.
• Engage with your local representatives and advocacy groups to raise awareness and promote policies that strengthen economic and cultural ties between the United States and African nations.

By acting through these avenues, we can collectively leverage our resources, expertise, and commitment to contribute to the transformative vision of a prosperous, unified, and sustainable Africa.

Photo: U.S. State Department Special Representative Daniel Ricchetti, H.E. Ambassador Elsie Kanza, Republic of Tanzania. Dr, Harvey White, Biden Institute, University of Delaware.  Special thanks to U.S. State Department, Deputy Special Representative Daniel Ricchetti for his remarks and support.

Resources on The Africa Agenda 2063, Aspiration 3, and More

Learn more about the Africa Agenda 2063, the meaning of Aspiration 3, and other important initiatives for the continent with the recommended resources below:

The Africa Agenda 2063
About The African Union
The Meaning of Aspiration 3
More About the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 16
More About the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) Agreement
The Advancement of Technology and Innovation in Africa