Reverse Linkage

83 DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION A frica is at a critical juncture in its development trajectory, marked by the advent of Africa’s development blueprint, Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both calling for a focus on domestic resources to finance development agendas. In the past two decades, the “Africa Rising” narrative elevated hopes and expectations as to the possibility, and the capacity, of Africa to finance its own development. Although the majority of non-commodity exporting African countries still maintained positive growth performance, there has been a recent deterioration in Africa’s average economic growth due mainly to lower commodity prices – 3.9 per cent in 2013; 3.7 per cent in 2014; 3.4 per cent in 2015 and 2.2 per cent in 2016. The inability of African countries to sustain their high growth performance is intrinsically linked to inadequate implementation capacity caused by systemic weaknesses at continental, regional, and state levels, as well as institutional and individual levels. At continental level, capacity development challenges are related to the inability of the African Union and its organs to adequately coordinate the continental development agenda, successfully engage internal and external actors, and mobi- lise enough resources for its implementation. At regional level, the key capacity issue is that the regional bodies are failing – or taking a longer time – to play their role as build- ing blocks of the continental development architecture. At national level, the main capacity challenges include the inability to align national development plans to continen- tal and global agendas while successfully implementing planned policies and development programmes. Some of the additional challenges facing the continent, besides building capacity where it does not exist, are to retain, harmonise, and utilise existing capacities. The Capacity Requirements for Agenda 2063, produced by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) for the African Union, identifies four main categories of capacity deficit: operational capacity of organizations; change and transformative capacity; compos- ite capacity; and critical, technical, and sector-specific skills. Role of SSC in capacity development programmes in Africa Defined as “a means of promoting effective development by learning and sharing best practices and technology among developing countries,” South-South Cooperation (SSC) represents an effective tool for capacity development and an instrument for progress. The concept is closely associ- ated with that of Reverse Linkage, adopted by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) with the aim to maximise the benefits derived from SSC and adequately address the emerging demands of its member countries. In the context of African countries, SSC represents an integral part of capacity development efforts. Initiatives provided by devel- oping countries for creating solutions are highly adaptable The role of SSC in capacity development programmes in Africa – understanding the importance of mapping resource centres Emmanuel Nnadozie, Executive Secretary; Thomas Munthali, Director; Robert Nantchouang, Senior Knowledge Management Expert; Barassou Diawara 1 , Knowledge Management Expert; Frejus Thoto, Knowledge Management Expert, Knowledge and Learning Department, African Capacity Building Foundation, Zimbabwe Capacity development is complex and requires the careful nurturing inherent in long-term partnerships and patient investment Image: ACBF