Africa's poor soars

2005-05-03 17:22

Johannesburg - The number of persons living in extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 217 million in 1990 to 290 million in 2000, representing a 34% increase, according to Emmanuel Nnadozie, senior economic affairs officer of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

Nnadozie also said life expectancy in the region declined from 50 to 46 years during the period, while the trends of economic development showed that sub-Saharan Africa may not meet the targets of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

The ECA official spoke in Abuja at a pre-conference briefing on the 38th meeting of African ministers of finance, planning and economic development scheduled to be held in the Nigerian capital on May 11-15.

"Clearly, at the present trend, Africa will not achieve the MDGs by the target date of 2015. In fact, if the trend continues, it could be 130 years before the major goal of halving poverty is won," he said.

Nnadozie revealed that the African ministers' conference would address the problem associated with the delay in progress in the continent in order to achieve the MDGs in the next 10 years, saying that recommendations had been made to government on how to meet the goals.

He advised African nations to conduct a needs assessment analysis and come up with a 10-year development plan that addresses their peculiar problems.

The economic expert said the plan should focus on economic growth, poverty reduction and employment, adding: "Employment is the surest way to reduce poverty."

Commenting on Nigeria, Nnadozie said the high rate of economic growth recorded under the present administration was yet to make an impact on the welfare of the citizenry. - Panapress

- Business in Africa