Despite astounding economic growth rates and significant improvements in Africa’s participation in global value chains, the overall picture in many African countries remains one of dependency on raw materials exports and finished-product imports.
The resurgence of protectionist sentiments in both developed and developing countries in the context of the global economic crisis poses a further threat to free trade and universal market access policies and endeavors. In an increasingly interconnected world, no country can realistically afford to be on the periphery when it comes to integration into global value chains.
At the 14th International Economic Forum on Africa hosted by the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation Development Center on Oct. 6 in Paris, Devex spoke to OECD representatives, African decision-makers and private sector representatives to explore how the international community could best help increase and upgrade the continent’s access to global and regional markets.
About the author
Sibylle Koenig
Sibylle Koenig is a development consultant and policy adviser with 10 years of experience in managing, monitoring and evaluating international aid programs and grant schemes, as well as advocacy. She has worked for a variety of organizations, including the European Commission, U.N. and bilateral aid agencies and NGOs in Latin America (4 years) and Europe, with extensive work travel to Africa (Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Kenya, Botswana) and Asia (Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, India, South Korea).
