Our woes as a continent derive from the disadvantageous structural relations that we have with the rest of the world. Without doubt globalization has had an adverse effect on our continent. Several doses of structural adjustment programmes prescribed by the international financial institutions have not always produced the desired results, indeed in some cases these measures have had disastrous side effects. To address these, a coherent common continental agenda is required in order for Africa to rise. INdeed evidence shows that various parts of this agenda play themselves out in the continent.
African economies is imperative.
The Abuja Treaty provides an important framework on which to build in pursuit of this objective. Such a platform should enable us to influence the economic agenda in pursuit of continental challenges rather than react to those of the external actors. This makes it all the more important that we consolidate and ensure the successful functioning of the regional economic blocs. These policies and programmes should ensure that among other things we increase Africa's global market share. Simultaneously, we must jealously guard against the persistent use of the continent to dump goods in a manner that undermines our economies.