Publication Project Africa Yearbook
UNU-WIDER invites to its Annual Conference 2013 with the important theme "Learning to Compete: Industrial Development and Policy in Africa" (see the Link for paper submissions: http://www.wider.unu.edu/home/news/en_GB/call-for-papers-l2c/). It is an international conference held in the context of a collaborative research program (see the Link: http://www.wider.unu.edu/research/current-programme/en_GB/L2C-2010/).
Economics Professor Karl Wohlmuth works on similar lines. He has recently researched on strategies for converting comparative advantages into competitive advantages in Africa's agro-industry sectors (Link: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/Agro-IndustrialDevelopment.htm). As a further project in this context, the planned volume 17 (for 2014) of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook will cover some of these issues under the umbrella title of Africa's Progress in Regional and Global Economic Integration (Links to the Yearbook Project: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/african_developm_.htm and http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/about.htm).
Soon after the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan (CPA) on January 9, 2005 the Research Project "Governance and Social Action in Sudan" started at IWIM, University of Bremen. It was directed by Professor Karl Wohlmuth and Dr. Elke Grawert. It was the purpose of the Project to follow up the process of transition after the CPA towards reconstruction of governance at various levels of decision-making, and thereby to analyze the conditions for development and a sustainable peace. A network of researchers from universities in Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and staff from IWIM, University of Bremen were involved. The Project was the first one approved in the context of the Volkswagen Foundation's new Sub-Saharan Africa Research Initiative, and it got generous support during two project phases (Links: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/Sudanforschung.htm and http://www.karl-wohlmuth.de/governance_and_social_action_in_sudan/Governance.htm). The Project had also a training component as PhD students and Master students were trained. By research workshops in Bremen and in all the other Project Countries the students were trained to do field research in and near the conflict areas (such as refugee camps, conflict areas, border areas, etc.).
Many publications were released by the project professors and by the project students. Considerable human capital was built and a future-oriented network of research partnerships has emerged. The trained young professionals are now starting their own research projects and use intensively the network that was established during these seven years of cooperative researches.
Now the Final Report to the Volkswagen Foundation was released by the Project Coordinator Dr. Elke Grawert. She is now Research Coordinator at the Bonn International Center for Conversion/BICC in Bonn. The Report will be released to the Public quite soon. Economics Professor Karl Wohlmuth from IWIM continues his researches on Sudan/South Sudan with a New Project on "Economic Cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan". There was a rather smooth process towards a Referendum on Independence of South Sudan on January 9, 2011 and towards the official Declaration of Independence of South Sudan on July 9, 2011. However, since these days the relations between the two states have deteriorated to the extent that now - over more than a year starting in January 2012 - the oil production in South Sudan had been stopped because of accusations of unfair treatment by the partner. The oil is produced near the international border in the South Sudan but the infrastructure of Sudan is needed for transport and processing towards export via Port Sudan. Both states now suffer from huge losses of public revenues and foreign exchange despite of the nine September 2012 agreements in Addis Ababa about all the open security, border and finance issues. A Strategic Economic Cooperation is needed between the two countries as the border regions of the two states are of extremely great economic importance for Sudan and South Sudan (Links: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/EconomicPoliciesInSudan.htm and http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/forschung/forsch-sudan.htm).
Unter diesem Titel fand kürzlich eine Podiumsdiskussion im Haus der Wissenschaft in Bremen statt, an der auch Frau Professor Dr. Edda Müller, die Vorsitzende von Transparency International Deutschland und Professor Dr. Karl Wohlmuth von der Universität Bremen teilnahmen (vgl. das Programm der Veranstaltung anlässlich des Antikorruptionstages und die Presseerklärung von Transparency International Bremen). Moderiert wurde die Podiumsdiskussion von Herrn Theo Schlüter, Radio Bremen. Professor Wohlmuth betonte, dass die diversen freiwilligen Transparenzinitiativen (z. B. EITI/Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, PWYP/Publish What You Pay) und die gültigen bzw. vorgesehenen gesetzlichen Transparenzregelungen (wie etwa im Frank-Dodd-Act in den USA verankert bzw. für die EU im Rahmen der Transparenz- und Buchungsrichtlinien vorgesehen) wohl bedeutsam sind, aber zur Regulierung der internationalen Rohstoffmärkte nur sehr bedingt beitragen können. Mehr ist nötig, insbesondere eine Rückbesinnung auf J. M. Keynes und seine Vorschläge zur Regulierung der internationalen Rohstoffmärkte, die er vor mehr als 60 Jahren im Zusammenhang mit der seinerzeit vorgeschlagenen Gründung einer Internationalen Handelsorganisation (ITO/International Trade Organisation) machte. Viele seiner konkreten Vorschläge sind nach wie vor aktuell und können teilweise auch über Waivers und andere Instrumente im WTO/GATT-System verwirklicht werden.
Die Teilnehmer an der Podiumsdiskussion (von links):
Prof. Dr. Karl Wohlmuth, Universität Bremen
Dr. Heidi Feldt, Entwicklungs- und Menschenrechtsexpertin
Theo Schlüter, Moderator, Radio Bremen
Stephan Werner, Portfoliomanager Rohstoffe, DWS
Annemieke Wijn, Nachhaltigkeitsexpertin Anchor Consult, früher General Manager Kraft Foods
Prof. Dr. Edda Müller, Vorsitzende Transparency International Deutschland e.V.
Auf dem Foto (von links):
Prof. Dr. Karl Wohlmuth, Universität Bremen
Dr. Heidi Feldt, Entwicklungs- und Menschenrechtsexpertin
Theo Schlüter, Moderator, Radio Bremen
Die Podiumsdiskussion wurde unter dem Titel "Korruption und Spekulation - Ursachen für viel Armut" von Radio Bremen/Nordwestradio Unterwegs aufgezeichnet (vgl. den Link: http://www-origin.radiobremen.de/nordwestradio/sendungen/nordwestradio_unterwegs/kalender102_date-20121214.html).
A Unit of the forthcoming issue 16 of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook with the theme "Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa" is now finalized and will consider the economic causes, the recent developments and the perspectives of the "Arab Spring" countries like Egypt and Tunisia. While the international discussion centers on political and international relations issues, the economics of the background factors to these revolutions in Arab countries is largely neglected.
IWIM joined forces with institutions in the region, like UNESCWA (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) in Beirut, UNDP's Regional Center in Cairo and the Arab Planning Institute in Kuwait to make this Unit possible. Research Director Magda Kandil from ECES (Egyptian Center for Economic Studies) and Professor Karl Wohlmuth, University of Bremen will introduce into the Unit. Background studies and country case studies are presented in the Unit. An analysis of the socioeconomic causes of revolutions in "Arab Spring" countries, an overview of recent developments in "Arab Spring" countries, and a strategic framework for new economic policies in "Arab Spring" countries are presented.
Other Units of this forthcoming volume of the Yearbook cover new macroeconomic policy approaches and frameworks for African countries, macroeconomic policies of low income and post-conflict countries in Africa, and macroeconomic policies in WAMZ (West African Monetary Zone) countries with special emphasis on Nigeria. Also a Book Reviews/Book Notes Unit is included.
The Yearbook Project will continue with the theme "Africa's Progress in Regional and Global Economic Integration" as Volume 17 for 2014 (Link to the Project Website: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/about.htm and link to the website with the description of the past volumes: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/africanyearbook.htm).
Die sozioökonomischen Grundlagen und die Folgen des "Arabischen Frühlings":
Unter diesem Thema wurden für die Unit 2 (Teil 2) des neuen Afrika-Jahrbuchs mit dem Titel "Macroeconomic Policy Formation in Africa" einige Studien verfasst, sowohl Grundlagenstudien als auch Länderstudien für Ägypten und Tunesien. Während politologische und soziologische Studien sich dem Thema der Ursachen und der Folgen des "Arabischen Frühlings" intensiv widmen, sind ökonomische Studien dazu eher rar. Diese Lücke soll mit den Studien im neuen Afrika-Jahrbuch nun geschlossen werden.
Das IWIM hat bei der Erstellung dieser Studien mit wichtigen Institutionen in der Region kooperiert, um diese Unit möglich zu machen, so mit UNESCWA (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) in Beirut, dem UNDP Regional Center in Cairo und dem Arab Planning Institute in Kuwait. Research Director Magda Kandil vom ECES (Egyptian Center for Economic Studies) und Professor Karl Wohlmuth, Universität Bremen führen in einem Beitrag in diese Unit ein.
Andere Units des neuen Jahrbuchs behandeln neue makroökonomische Rahmenbedingungen und Politiken für afrikanische Länder, makroökonomische Politiken in Niedrigeinkommensländern und Post-Konflikt-Ländern, und makroökonomische Politiken in WAMZ (West African Monetary Zone)-Ländern, insbesondere für Nigeria. Auch eine Book Reviews/Book Notes-Unit ist vorgesehen.
Das Jahrbuch-Projekt wird mit dem Thema "Africa's Progress in Regional and Global Economic Integration" für den Band 17 (2014) fortgesetzt (vgl. den Link zur Website des Jahrbuch-Programms: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/forschung/forsch-adpy.htm und den Link zur Seite mit einer Beschreibung der bisher erschienenen Bände: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/africanyearbook.htm).
Also the book with the African Country Case Studies on Agro-industry Development which is related to the main document "Agribusiness for Africa's Prosperity" is now available as an E-Book. The Country Case Studies were conceived as background materials to the main document. The main document was published in English and in French. The three E-Books can be fully downloaded at:
http://www.unido.org/index.php?id=1001692
At this website also other information about the project can be found, especially the Seven Development Pillars.
The books are presented particularly to the benefit of the members of the 3ADI (Accelerated Agribusiness and Agro-industries Development Initiative) and of policy advisers to African governments, especially the ministries of industry and trade being responsible for new industrialization steps. The website of 3ADI contains further information about the Project:
http://www.3adi.org/Agribusiness_for_Africa_Prosperity
In a Video about the book "Agribusiness for Africa's Prosperity" UNIDO Director General Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella discusses the importance of the study for Africa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C23tW_MjnFE.
Further information about the book is provided also in UNIDO's quarterly magazine Making It: http://www.3adi.org/agribusiness_making_it
Professor Karl Wohlmuth has contributed to the Project since February 2008 as a Consultant, Author and Editor. In the African Development Perspectives Yearbook these issues were given attention quite regularly. See details on the various issues of the Yearbook: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/africanyearbook.htm
Research Cooperation with Nigeria 2012 - 2013:
Professor Dr. Alabi is soon ending his research visit to IWIM, University of Bremen after a stay of three months financed by a Senior Research Fellowship by the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation. Further researches are planned for the year 2013 in cooperation with Professor Karl Wohlmuth (see the Report by Professor Alabi and some of his already published studies to be accessed in the Blue Series Discussion Papers of IWIM).
Professor Dr. R. A. Alabi, Ekpoma, Nigeria
A study on An Analysis of the Impact of Foreign Aid on Nigeria: A Dynamic Specification is under Review and will then also be published in the Blue Series Discussion Papers of IWIM.
Die zweite Auflage der UNIDO-Studie Agribusiness for Africa's Prosperity - Country Case Studies ist eben erschienen. In acht Länderfallstudien (Äthiopien, Mali, Sambia, Kamerun, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenia und Südafrika), die meist von afrikanischen Wissenschaftlern und Wissenschaftlerinnen dieser Länder erstellt wurden, werden die Entwicklungen von Agroindustrie und Agribusiness untersucht. Es werden auch Vorschläge für eine umfassende Politikreform mit dem Ziel der Stimulierung des Sektors gemacht. In zwei zusammenfassenden Kapiteln werden von Professor Karl Wohlmuth, IWIM, Universität Bremen und Dr. Patrick Kormawa, Direktor für die Region Westafrika der UNIDO die wesentlichen Ergebnisse der Länderfallstudien zusammengefasst. Die Determinanten der Entwicklung des Sektors und die Perspektiven einer Politikreform zur Förderung des Sektors stehen dabei im Vordergrund. In einem Index der Transformation des Sektors werden die Erfolge bzw. Hemmnisse bei der Entwicklung des Sektors dargestellt.
Der Bremer Wirtschaftsprofessor Karl Wohlmuth arbeitet seit Februar 2008 an dem Projekt der UNIDO "Value Addition to Africa's Industry" mit.
Der gesamte Bericht mit den Länderfallstudien kann eingesehen werden über den Link:
http://www.unido.org/fileadmin/user_media/Services/Agro-Industries/Agribusiness/AAP_CCS_v4.pdf
Diese Studie mit den Länderanalysen ist ein Hintergrundbericht zu der umfassenden Grundlagenstudie Agribusiness for Africa's Prosperity, die vom Generaldirektor der UNIDO, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella initiiert wurde. Auch diese Studie kann als E-Book in englischer und in französischer Sprache komplett eingesehen werden (vgl. Links unten).
Die Studie ist verfügbar als E-Book in englischer Sprache via:
und als E-Book in französischer Sprache via:
Diese drei Bücher sind gedacht als Inputs für die Politikreform in diesem Bereich in den afrikanischen Ländern und als Materialien für die Initiative 3ADI/Accelerated Agribusiness and Agro-industries Development Initiative (vgl. die relevanten Links zu dieser Initiative: http://www.3adi.org/ und http://www.3adi.org/tl_files/3ADIDocuments/Other%203ADI%20docs/briefing%20note%203adi%201103.pdf).
The second edition of an UNIDO Study with Country Cases on Developing Agribusiness and Promoting Agro-industries in Africa was just released. This is the background document to a major UNIDO Study on Agribusiness for Africa's Prosperity, published under the guidance of the General Director of UNIDO, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella. The Second Edition of the Report with African Country Cases contains eight chapters with case studies and two summarizing chapters by Professor Karl Wohlmuth from the University of Bremen and Dr. Patrick Kormawa, Director for the West Africa Region at UNIDO. The eight case studies, mainly done by African economists, contain evaluations of the ongoing structural changes in the sector and of the policy context for agribusiness development and agro-industry promotion. The synthesis is presented in chapters 1 and 10 while the country case studies are presented in the chapters 2 to 9. The synthesis chapters contain a Country Typology and an Overview for the Eight Cases as well as Lessons from the Cases and Recommendations for a New Industrial Policy which is linked better linked to agricultural development. A Transformation Index is presented covering 10 criteria for assessment.
A full download of the background study with the African country cases is possible via:
http://www.unido.org/fileadmin/user_media/Services/Agro-Industries/Agribusiness/AAP_CCS_v4.pdf
The main UNIDO Report on Agribusiness for Africa's Prosperity can be downloaded as an E-Book in English via:
and as an E-book in French via:
These books are policy inputs to the 3ADI (Accelerated Agribusiness and Agro-industries Development Initiative (see also the relevant links to http://www.3adi.org/ and to http://www.3adi.org/tl_files/3ADIDocuments/Other%203ADI%20docs/briefing%20note%203adi%201103.pdf).
IWIM was asked to inform its Africa networks about the forthcoming conference in Bremerhaven (see Link to the Organizers: http://klimahaus-bremerhaven.de/africa/). This is done by asserting that the conference is an important event, covering in Forum I important issues of land use, land grabbing and food security in Africa. Good governance and sustainability issues are discussed in Forum II. There are also two workshops I and II on urban climate adaptation projects in Africa and on improving land use, water and food security under climate change conditions in rural Africa. In two further Forums III and IV issues of Fighting poverty with sustainable economy and of Education for Sustainable Development are discussed.
IWIM is still researching on these issues (See the links to the projects: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/Agro-IndustrialDevelopment.htm and http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/EconomicPoliciesInSudan.htm ,and see also the link to the work of the Research Group on African Development Perspectives Bremen: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/africa/about.htm ). In the past major research projects on renewable energy economics and sustainability economics were executed (Links: http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/forschung/abgeschl.htm#Nachhaltiges and http://www.iwim.uni-bremen.de/forschung/abgeschl.htm#Energiebereich).