REPOSITIONING AFRICA FOR GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS

Abstract

Africa undoubtedly was in the first rank of civilization, was great in economic power, and organized in her political system and productivity, driven by several factors leading to economic prosperity. Her economy could sustain economic growth, development and served the general well-being of her citizenry. Today it appears that reverse is the case, Africa is unable to find a place in the global competition, a thing which has remained a course of concern among many, including the continent itself. It is on this basis that the paper analyzed the factors responsible for this backward state and assessed how best to reposition Africa for global competitiveness. The study was guided by two questions: what factors are responsible for Africa’s backward State? How may these factors be corrected to enable Africa re-fit into the global competition? The purpose of the study therefore is to provide answers to these questions. To do so, two corresponding hypotheses were raised: some factors had been responsible for the inability of Africa to compete globally; termination of these factors can help reposition Africa for global competitiveness. Competitive advantage theory and people centered approach to public administration guided the study. Being a qualitative research, data were collected and analyzed. The findings revealed that Africa’s inability to compete globally is facilitated by macroeconomic instability, infrastructural failure, weak public institutions, slow pace of technological development, bad leadership, etc. The paper concluded that to repositioned Africa for Global competitiveness, these factors must be tackled, that there has to be some kind of ‘structured continental efforts’ directed at building institutions, etc. The paper recommended immediate re-development of Agriculture, industries, improved leadership system among others.