Published by Senator Dennis Dawson on 05 March 2007
On February 15, 2007, the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade tabled its report, Overcoming 40 Years of Failure: A New Roadmap for Sub-Saharan Africa. The report was based on the insight and expertise of over 400 witnesses from North America, Europe and Africa. It was also shaped by the wisdom and understanding of members of the Committee, some of whom travelled to Africa and saw firsthand the conditions in countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, the eastern Congo, Nigeria and Senegal.
What we encountered over and over throughout our two-year study was irrefutable evidence that, for the past 40 years, the entire world has enjoyed economic growth, except for Africa. Clearly, grave mistakes have been made – by African governments, and by the international community.
CIDA: Behind the hype
A look at the programs launched by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) over the years would suggest that all of them, however small and short-lived, have been successful.
But if we probe deeper into the Agency’s reports on what has been achieved, what do we find? It is beneficial for any organization to take stock of the results of its efforts in the aggregate. For instance, how has Canada’s $100 million contribution over two years (2004-2005) to the World Health Organization’s HIV/AIDS initiatives helped to mitigate the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa? What is the effect to date of Canada’s 2004 Canada Corps program to support good governance in Africa? And will CIDA contribute to different initiatives next year?
Since its creation in 1968, the Agency has spent $12.4 billion in bilateral assistance to sub-Saharan Africa, with few notable or lasting results. The Committee heard from witnesses testifying that CIDA is known as one of the slowest bilateral aid agencies in the world. Only about 19% of CIDA employees actually work in the field. The remaining 81% work from Ottawa and hold most of the decision-making authority for the Agency’s programs.
CIDA’s problems are not the result of a single misguided policy, program or initiative. They are systemic. The Agency has had 11 ministers since 1989, which has made consistent direction for its work impossible. CIDA’s minister is considered a junior minister and, so, has been in the position of accepting, rather than making, policy. If left unchanged, CIDA’s capabilities will continue to deteriorate over time. This is why the Committee called for a review of the Agency’s future.
Whether CIDA is restructured or not, the report recommended that the Government of Canada set up an Africa Office, comprising qualified aid, trade, security and foreign affairs staff with the core mandate of achieving economic development in Africa. At least 80% of Africa Office staff, resources and financial decision-making authority should be decentralized to the field. The new Office would become the responsibility of a newly designated Minister for International Development who should be given full status in the federal Cabinet.
Beyond aid
In addition to the creation of an Africa Office, the Committee recommended that Canada’s foreign policy shift its focus from international aid to Africa’s economic growth. To achieve economic growth, one of Canada’s important roles would be to help build trade opportunities and outlets for African countries.
The Government of Canada is already on the right track with its Least Developed Countries Market Access Initiative, one of the most far-reaching of its kind in the world. Currently the Initiative gives 34 African countries duty-free access to the Canadian market. Removing constraints to trade encourages investment in developing countries.
Just as we must learn from our mistakes, we should likewise build on our successes. For this reason the Committee recommended that the federal government open the Market Access Initiative to all the low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa, allowing another 12 countries to benefit from freer trade with Canada. […] Another way of assisting Africans to improve their situation by themselves consists in giving them access to microfinance African entrepreneurs are often held back because they cannot obtain basic financing, including the credit needed to set up and expand a business. […]
With the establishment of an Africa Office, Canada would be well positioned to influence and participate in initiatives like these with proven track records. […] The Africa Office would also be an inspiring example of Canada’s determination to evolve, to be pragmatic and to lead.