Inclusive Growth in Africa: Measurement, Causes, and Consequences

Rapid and sustained poverty reduction requires ‘inclusive growth’ that allows people to contribute to and benefit from the development process. Africa’s economic performance has improved considerably since the 1980s and early 1990s. Nevertheless, many questions remain unanswered. For instance, has recent progress in Africa been under- or over-stated? Are certain social groups being excluded from the growth and development process? Which dimensions of poverty are leading or lagging? Has economic growth been transformative, leading to more and better jobs? What policies are required to increase the likelihood of sustaining Africa’s development process in the long-run?

Answering these and other pertinent questions is challenging worldwide. Africa faces particular difficulties in comparison with other developing regions due to relatively high poverty rates, relatively weak information bases, and frequent high volatility in the underlying determinants of welfare and economic growth. The UNU-WIDER development conference in September 2013 therefore focuses on the performance, prospects, and policies for promoting more inclusive growth throughout Africa, including North Africa. The conference aims to encourage dialogue between and among researchers and policy makers from the academic, government and international development communities.

MORE INFORMATION AND ONLINE APPLICATION FORM AT EVENT WEBPAGE HERE.