2007 - Forum 2007

Videos: courtesy of Centre de conférence Pierre-Mendès France, Ministry of Economy, Finance and Employment of France, which hosted the event.

The International Forum on African Perspectives (Paris, Tuesday 5 June 2007), jointly organised by the  African Development Bank and the  OECD Development Centre, brought together eminent personalities from Africa and OECD countries, government representatives, private sector operators, civil society, journalists and researchers to share their visions and proposals for the Continent.  More about the Forum.

Angel Gurria, Secretary General
OECD

> Read the speech (pdf)

Louis Kasekende, Chief Economist
African Development Bank

> Read the speech (pdf)

> Presentation of the African Economic Outlook report: Economic Performance of the Continent (pps) (in French) by Abdellatif Bernoussi and Access to Drinking Water and Sanitation (pps) by Kenneth Ruffing
> Concluding remarks (in French - pdf) by Jean-Christophe Deberre

Access to water & sanitation. Where does S-A stand?

South Africa has already met the MDGs. Next year, Lindiwe Benedicta Hendricks, Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, expects every South-African will have access to drinking water.

Africa: should water be free for the poorest?

The South-African government adopted a free basic water policy. Watch Ms. Hendricks explaining how the government has been able to cross-subsidise the free water service.

Africa: is current growth sustainable?

Africa performed very well in 2006, but based on the AEO 2007, main sources of growth are commodities and aid. Is this sustainable? Watch the response of Louis Kasekende.

A matter of political will

In South Africa, the government has devolved the responsability of provision of water services to the local level.

What is the impact of privatisation?

Prices for consumers are on the rise according to Abdellatif Bernoussi, but Kenneth Ruffing argues that, since privatisation has been put in place with proper regulations, services to customers improved.

Decentralisation: what are the mistakes to avoid?

The government should take responsability for starting up new institutions and making sure that all institutions involved in this process are representative of the people.

> More videos on the Development Centre's channel

For any request on the OECD/AfDB International Forum on African Perspectives, please contact dev.africa@oecd.org