Report of the Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the African Ministers of Transport and Communications
6 March 2002, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
A. Organization
1. The twelfth meeting of the Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications (CAMTC) was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 6 March 2002. The Ministers considered the report of the Experts meeting prepared on 4th March 2002 together with the successor arrangement for the UNTACDA II programme whose main objective was to establish an efficient and integrated transport and communications system as a basis for the physical integration of Africa and to facilitate national and international traffic.
2. The Ministers had the opportunity to participate in the event of the Third African Development Forum (ADF III) whose main theme was “Defining Priorities for Regional Integration”. This event took place from 3 to 8 March 2002 in Addis Ababa. The African Ministers of Transport and Communications as well as experts and organizations dealing with transport and communications also participated in the Breakout Session organized on the 5th of March 2002 within the framework of ADF III, to discuss the physical integration through infrastructure development. They contributed to the debate of the ADF III Plenary session on “Physical Integration through Infrastructure Development”.
3. The 12th Session of the Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communication was organized together with a Transport Symposium whose main theme was “Developing yesterday’s African Transportation into Future’s System for Reducing Poverty and Meeting Globalization Challenges”. This implies learning from the lessons of yesterday in order to assist the participants to translate into concrete actions the various policies adopted and emulate best practices so that the transport sector could make enhanced contributions to the improvement of the lives of people throughout the continent. The event was an opportunity for Ministers to: meet their counterparts in various countries; exchange ideas and experiences; meet experts from around the world; and meet representatives of multilateral and bilateral aid agencies.
B. Participation
4. The meeting was attended by representatives of the following member States of the Economic Commission for Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Great Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, The United Republic of Tanzania, Republic of South Africa, Rwanda, Swaziland, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
5. The following specialized institutions of the United Nations and African intergovernmental bodies also participated in the meeting: African Airlines Association (AFRAA), African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), African Development Bank (ADB), African Telecommunications Union (ATU), Airports Company South Africa, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), Economic Community for Central African States (ECCAS), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), Maghreb Arab Union, Northern Corridor - Transit Transport Coordination Authority (NC-TTCA), Organization of African Unity/African Union (OAU/AU), Pan-African Association for Port Co-operation (PAPC), Port Management Association for Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA), Regional Maritime Academy (RMA), Société Nationale d’études du Détroit (SNED), Southern Africa Development Community (SADC/SATCC), SPOORNET, Sub-Saharan African Transport Programme (SSATP/World Bank), Union of African Railways (UAR), UEMOA, Universal Postal Union (UPU), Université de Kinshasa (UNIKIN), and West and Central African Maritime Organization (MOWCA).
C. Opening of the meeting
6. In his brief statement, General Mamdouh Hishmat, the Chairman of the outgoing bureau welcomed the Honourable Ministers and delegates to the twelfth meeting of the Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications. Recalling that Egypt has been the Chairman of the eleventh meeting of the Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications held in Cairo, Egypt, 25-27 November 1997, he invited the meeting to elect the new Bureau and wished it successful deliberations.
7. Before formally opening the meeting, Mr. K. Y. Amoako, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, asked the meeting to observe a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of the recent tragic railway accident in Egypt. In his opening statement to the Conference, Mr. K.Y. Amoako, welcomed the honourable Ministers and all participants on the occasion of the twelfth meeting of the Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications, which was being organized within the context of the Second United Nations Transport and Communications Decade for Africa (UNTACDA II).
8. He noted with appreciation the tangible contributions that the Ministers have been making, through the Conference, to the development of the transport sector in Africa. He expressed confidence that through their attendance of the third African Development Forum (ADF III) they will be making important additions, as authoritative advice on how best to foster Africa’s infrastructure, which is critical to an effective African Union. These contributions, with the initiative of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), should be a very useful boost by creating necessary subregional and regional infrastructure.
9. He further underscored the role of transport and communications, which is very essential to the development of the African economy. This is why ECA has worked very closely with African countries for decades to develop the sector.
10. Recalling the two United Nations Transport and Communications Decades in Africa, for the periods 1978-1988 and 1991-2000, as well as the three evaluations made by ECA, he noted that the meeting is expected to consider and adopt the recommendations of the Experts on the successor arrangement of UNTACDA II, which were proposed as the “ Way Forward”.
11. Mr. Amoako continued his statement by briefing the meeting on some of the results of the third and final evaluation, indicating that the 30 per cent drop in terms of financial moblization from UNTACDA I to UNTACDA II, which is in nominal terms, constitutes a very serious decline in real terms. He recalled the major issues of transport, such as road safety and transportation costs that need to be urgently addressed, pointing to some best practices in Africa to overcome these problems. He also encouraged the exploration of new ways of co-operation, such as working with the private sector, to handle some of the challenges facing the sector.
12. Mr. Amoako then indicated that most of the viable transport and communications projects that have not been implemented within the context of the previous action plans could also emerge in NEPAD. These plans could be made more attractive for financing, through measures such as policy reforms, elimination of delays and harmonization of procedures. He also noted that external financing could be attracted if transport and communications investment is linked with poverty reduction goals.
13. In conclusion, the Executive Secretary indicated that there was a lot of unfinished business in UNTACDA II. He further called for more dedicated effort from all parties, particularly the member States, so that Africa could be more capable of establishing effective transport links internally and globally.
D. Account of proceedings
Election of the Bureau (Agenda Item 2)
1. The meeting elected the following Bureau:
Chairman: Ethiopia
First Vice-Chairman Gabon
Second Vice-Chairman Nigeria
First Rapporteur Repulic of South Africa
Second Rapporteur Sudan
Adoption of the Agenda (Agenda Item 3)
2. The meeting adopted the following agenda and progamme of work:
(i) Agenda
1. Opening of the twelfth Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communication;
· Statement - Chairperson of the 11th Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications,
· Statement - Economic Commission for Africa.
2. Election of the Bureau;
3. Adoption of the agenda;
4. Presentation of the report of the Experts on the final evaluation of UNTACDA II and the Way Forward as successor arrangement of UNTACDA II;
5. Regional initiatives;
6. Discussions and adoption of the resolution as well as the Way Forward; and
7. Any other business and closure of the meeting.
Consideration of the Report of the Meeting of Experts (Agenda Item 4)
14. The report of the meeting of experts preparatory to the 12th meeting of the Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications (Annex IV) was presented by the Chairman, Mr. Medard Rwelawira of South Africa.
15. In presenting the outcome of the experts meeting and the main aspects of the Plan of Action proposed to be implemented during the next five years, he also provided highlights of the evaluation report of UNTACDA II, pointing to the strengths, weaknesses and achievements of the Decade programme. He also indicated the challenges that Africa has to face in the transport and communications sector. These issues could be grouped up as follows:
(a) Strengths:
· Recognition of the importance of transport and communications;
· Recognition of the magnitude of financing requirements;
· Relevance of UNTACDA II objectives; and
· The need to maintain a framework for continued consultation in the development of transport and communications.
(b) Weakness:
· Financial constraints;
· Lack of commitment on the part of government and organizations;
· Lack of clarity in the definition of tasks;
· Inadequate implementation and follow-up mechanisms;
· Relatively low level of achievement of objectives; and
· Non-existence of effective data collection mechanisms.
(c) Challenges
· Need for developing appropriate policies;
· Provision of adequate financing and disjointed network;
· High transport costs;
· Development of appropriate human and institutional capacity;
· Appropriate address of facilitation issues;
· Environmental and pollution issues;
· Exploitation of technological development;
· Modalities for reducing urban and rural poverty; and
· Development of database.
16. The Plan of Action, adopted by the experts, is to: develop integrated transport and communications systems to provide the continent with safe, reliable, efficient and affordable infrastructure and services, so as to promote regional integration, address the needs of the poor, reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS, empower women, underpin economic growth and enhance African’s position in the global market.
Regional Initiative (Agenda Item 5)
17. A representative of the ECA secretariat made a presentation focusing on the “Way Forward” as a successor arrangement to UNTACDA II. He gave a brief history of the UNTACDA programme, from its inception to implementation, indicating that the programme adopted a bottom-up approach with mechanisms stretching from National Coordinating Committees (NCCs) to the ECA and the Ministerial Conference at regional level. Then he briefly outlined the various components of the Decade programme and the implementation status of projects and its impact.
18. He noted that the experts meeting benefited from the evaluation report of the Decade programme prepared by ECA, with the contributions from member States, sub-regional organizations and the specialized agencies. He then proceeded to highlight the main findings of the evaluation report. He further outlined the major initiatives implemented at the regional level, namely: UNTACDA; policy reforms in relation to Yamoussoukro Decision on the liberalization of air transport link; physical linkages such as Trans-African Highways (TAH); Railway Interconnection; and Transport Facilitation and Capacity building.
19. He reviewed the elements of the Yamoussoukro Decision and assessed its implementation so far. The status of Trans-African Highway (TAH), the Railway Interconnections and Direct Airline Services in Africa was also highlighted. He then indicated major transport issues that require regional initiatives, such as transportation costs; environmental issues; facilitation and corridor development; transport database; establishment of conducive environment for private sector participation; and cross-border financing; as well as the impact of HIV/AIDS on transport development in Africa.
Discussion and Adoption of the Resolution as well as the Way Forward (Agenda Item 6)
20. In the discussion that ensued many delegates expressed their agreement with the proposals submitted by the experts.
21. The delegation of Gabon made some corrections to the list of UNTACDA Projects relating to their country to be incorporated in the final listing of the projects.
22. Regarding the regional initiative, the delegate from Côte d’Ivoire commended ECA for its leadership in the area of air transport, indicating the urgency that all countries should make serious efforts to implement the Yamoussoukro Decision. He also requested ECA to start thinking about air transport liberalization between Africa and the rest of the world.
23. The World Bank representative hailed the fact that all countries have unanimously reached consensus regarding various issues dealt with in the Way Forward. She pointed out that this indicated the dedication of the different partners to work together towards common goals. She implored the countries to participate in the successful implementation of the Way Forward and the NEPAD component of infrastructure through mobilizing the resources required to implement transport and communications projects. In this regard, she suggested that countries may consider the promotion of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the transport and communications sector.
24. A representative of the Pan-African Association for Port Cooperation (PAPC) read out a declaration on the development of African Ports. He also commended the NEPAD initiative and confirmed his organization’s support to the Plan of Action and the Way Forward adopted by the Conference. (A copy of the declaration is attached to this report as Annex VI).
25. At the end of their discussions the Ministers adopted the Resolution prepared by the experts (Annex I) and the Way Forward (Annex II).
Any other Business and Closure of the Meeting (Agenda Item 7)
(a) Any other Business
26. No issue was raised under this agenda item.
(b) Closure of the Meeting
27. In his closing remarks, the Chairman, Honourable Minister of Infrastructure Development of Ethiopia, Dr. Kassu Yillala, thanked the participants for their cooperation and their insightful views and ideas. He also commended the overall vision and the Plan of Action for the future development of the transport and communications sector in Africa just adopted by the Conference and the NEPAD initiative, which is an African-driven development programme. He thanked Mr. K. Y. Amoako, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa and the ECA staff for the quality of their contributions and the documentation, which have greatly facilitated the deliberations of the Conference.
Annex I: Resolution
The plan of action for the way forward beyond the second united nations transport and communications decade (unctada ii) in africa programme
The Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications meeting at its 12th Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 6th March 2002
Having considered the final evaluation of UNTACDA II programme.
Reaffirming the continued relevance and critical importance of transport and communications infrastructure and services, especially towards regional integration and socio-economic development and poverty reduction;
Noting the efforts made by African Governments, bilateral and multilateral cooperating partners, United Nations system and other partners towards the implementation of the programme;
Further noting that, transport and communications development is a dynamic process which will require sustained efforts in the coming years with a view to achieving regional integration and socio-economic development;
Considering that transport and communications infrastructure and services are the backbone for Africa’s participation in an increasingly competitive global economy and remain essential for regional integration, economic growth and poverty reduction;
1. Approves the Plan of Action annexed to this Resolution;
2. Requests member States and subregional organizations to help in mobilizing appropriate internal and external resources, including the use of innovative financing approaches;
3. Appeals to cooperating partners to support member States in the implementation of the Plan of Action;
4. Urges:
a) Each Member State, in partnership with the private sector, to endorse the Plan of Action and allocate adequate resources for the implementation;
b) Member States to adopt appropriate measures and harmonize policies for the implementation of the Plan of Action;
c) Subregional and regional organizations to assist member States in mobilizing adequate resources notably for subregional and regional projects and organize the periodic monitoring and review of the implementation of the Plan of Action;
d) Subregional organizations to coordinate and harmonize the implementation of the Plan of Action;
e) ECA, including its Sub-regional Development Centres, to play a lead role in assisting member States in the implementation and monitoring of the Plan of Action;
f) Organization of African Unity/Africa Union (OAU/AU), the Secretariat and Agencies of the United Nations System Secretariat and the Secretariat preparing the programme of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development to harmonize, promote and market the Plan of Action to Africa’s cooperating partners;
5. Appeals to all development partners to provide adequate resources to ECA, its Subregional Development Centres and the subregional economic communities so that they can coordinate and monitor the implementation of the Plan of Action;
6. Urges member States to maintain the momentum of cooperation and exchange of ideas already created subregionally (through the RECs) and regionally to enhance awareness of the importance of developing integrated transport and communications systems in Africa.
Annex II: The Way Forward
I. Introduction
1. Efficient transport and communications infrastructure and services are a vital prerequisite for Africa’s development and integration. Interregional and overseas transport and communications facilitate the expansion of trade, because trade is only possible if people and goods can reach physically (using transport mode) or virtually (using information and communications technology) to the production and consumption areas. In a rapidly changing international environment characterized by globalization and competition, and given the challenges of economic integration and international trade, sound transport and communications infrastructure network and services will facilitate the continent’s full participation into the current profound mutation at world-wide level.
2. Transport and communications infrastructure and services can significantly contribute to reducing poverty since on the one hand there is a link between infrastructure and economic growth, and on the other, the poor are usually identified as having inadequate access to infrastructure services such as clean water, sanitation, and transportation and communications, which are considered as “input indicators” of poverty.
3. Transport and communications integration in Africa would facilitate the creation of a single economic space that would lead to free movement of goods and persons. For transport and communications to play their role and have an effective impact on the integration of the continent, there will be a need for: physical integration of networks; operational integration; user-service provider interface; convergence of policies; joint planning and development of transport and communications; facilities and systems; harmonization of standards; joint cross-border operations; cross-border investments; and accession to international treaties and conventions.
4. The Second United Nations Transport and Communications Decade in Africa (UNTACDA II) final evaluation has revealed that transport and communications infrastructure and services still remain an impediment to the development of international and intra-African trade. The continent is mostly served by relatively small and fewer privately operated infrastructure enterprises working under poor operational conditions, and facing higher risk and costs. The parastatal enterprises established since independence have shown their limitations and are in most cases under severe financial constraint, mismanaged and lack appropriate human resources. The inadequacy of the current transport and communications infrastructure and services have limited the development of agriculture, industry and trade and have thus, affected the ability of African countries to effectively and jointly utilize their potential natural resources.
5. During the last decade, transport and communications development has made some positive contributions to the economic development of Africa. At the same time, it has constituted an important source of externalities, which are not internalized in many cases due to the failure of national policies in reaching the aim of equalizing private and social cost as well as satisfying the need of the users. The current development of transport is still neither satisfactory, or has not contributed to the reduction of poverty in Africa particularly in rural areas where most of the poor, especially women, live. Provision of good transportation services and infrastructure constitutes a necessary precondition for African economic growth as recognized by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and other development initiatives for the development of the continent.
6. Taking into account the above, Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee (IACC) has recommended that the momentum started during the implementation of the UNTACDA II should be continued in a form of Plan of Action for Transport and Services Development in Africa. It is proposed that the Plan be implemented within five years by African countries, subregional organizations with the assistance of financial institutions and specialized African and international institutions. The Plan of Action constitutes the purpose of this document and is submitted for adoption by the Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications. The Plan would be evaluated regularly every year at subregional levels under the mechanism of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and every three years at regional level by African policy makers under the NEPAD and African Union mechanisms. It is proposed that the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) plays a role of facilitator and promoter of the actions indicated below, during the implementation of the Plan of Action.
II. Recent Evolution and Trends in Transport and Communications Sector in Africa
1. Transport
7. African countries and RECs have been making serious efforts over the past years to expand their transport and communications infrastructure and improve their services to ensure their sustainable development. In this regard, many policy reforms have taken place to attract the private sector and to establish road funds. However, due to lack of appropriate policy frameworks in the sector and the problems associated with institutional structures, the growth and efficiency of the sector has been impeded. The last evaluation for UNTACDA II has indicated that the road subsector still remains a dominant mode in Africa accounting for 90 % of inter-urban transport. The total length of roads in the region is about 2 million kms out of which 27.6 % is asphalted (about 62,000 kms.) The current road density in the region is estimated at 6.84 kms per square 100 km. This indicates the inadequacy of the African network compared with Latin America (12 km/100sq.km) and Asia (18 km/100 sq. km). The African network distribution is 2.71 km for 10,000 persons thus making the network accessibility low. Cumbersome administrative measures and poor facilitation policies, resulting in high costs of operations dominate road transportation in the region. Many countries in the region, especially land-locked ones and their coastal and transit neighbors, have developed agreements at subregional levels to facilitate the movement of goods and persons, but most of these agreements are yet to be fully implemented.
8. Africa has 15 landlocked countries and their transportation needs to the sea ports have to be adequately provided for. Cumbersome administrative procedures and poor facilities within the Transit Countries are detrimental to the development of the international trade of these landlocked countries. To address these bottlenecks a number of transit corridors have been identified for development. In this connection, many of such landlocked countries and their coastal neighbors have developed bilateral and multilateral agreements to facilitate the movement of goods and persons, but these arrangements are being frustrated since some of the major provisions are in conflict with national laws and regulations. There is need to harmonize and enforce axle load limits along the corridors.
9. The African rail network currently estimated at a length of 89,380 kms, for a land surface of 30.19 mil. Sq. kms is thus giving the African region 2.96 km. per 1000 sq kms. The interconnections of the network is relatively poor especially in central and western Africa, and the availability of rolling stock is still very low compared to other regions of the world. During the last Decade African countries have introduced railways concessioning with the objective of reducing the role of the governments in their management, and to increase their operating performance. However, the African railways network, especially those in central and western Africa are still not interconnected. But all railway networks in Africa, including interconnected ones, still require harmonization of operating rules and technical standards.
10. Maritime transport and ports. Maritime transport accounts for 92 to 97 % of Africa’s international trade. During the last Decade, Africa’s merchant fleet and its tonnage decreased from DWT 7.3 m in 1990 to DWT 6.1 m in 1999. Over the same period, the tonnage carried by the global merchant fleet increased from DWT 618.4 m in 1990 to DWT 799.0 m in 1999. In that year, therefore, the African merchant fleet lifted 0.8 % of the tonnage carried by global merchant fleet as compared to 1.1 % in 1990. The declines occurred in all categories of African ships, except container vessels whose share since 1995 slightly increased Africa’s share from 15% by 1997. In 2000 the average age of African merchant fleet is 19 years compared to world average of 14 years. However, the situation is a little better with container fleet average of 11 years as compared to the global average of 10 years. Africa has about 80 major ports, with facilities ranging from conventional berths to container, white/crude oils and bulk cargo. In 1999 world trade reached 5.2 billion tons of which only 9.8 % and 4 % was loaded and offloaded respectively in African ports indicating an imbalance of about 50 %. The global container traffic has been growing since 1997 at a rate of 6.7% with developing countries accounting for 1.6%. In Africa only nine countries have recorded double digit growth. One of the major problems facing the ports sub-sector in Africa is that most of them are operated as parastatals, although few countries have recently commercialized their port operations and management.
11. The subsector has received a major breakthrough since the adoption of the Yamoussoukro Decision in 1999 and the commitment expressed by individual and group of countries with the support of donors to implement the Decision. The Decision resulted in speeding up the liberalization of access to air transport market in the region. It also brought airport and air space management reforms, which showed a better advantage of competition resulting from free access to the air transport market. In terms of traffic, airline share in world traffic stagnated at about 1% despite the boom in international and intra-African traffic during the decade. The passenger load factor exceeded that of Latin America and the Caribbean at about 12% below the world average. In contrast, the freight-loading coefficient estimated at 20% below average remains far behind that of other regions. In order to improve airline operations, regional alliances have forged even though they have not yet attained the levels of Latin America. Many countries have created autonomous civil aviation authorities and have gone for the concession of their airports. The private sectors have shown interest in investing in the airlines industry as well as the management of air space as a result of the liberalization process. Regional organizations and some countries have invested financial resources in the improvement of air navigation services. To ensure the full liberalization of the air transport market, it will be necessary to develop appropriate regulatory measures to ensure the role playing of all stakeholders. It will be also necessary to improve safety and security measures. The negative effects of September 11, 2001 are expected to haunt air transport for the coming two to three years and requires more attention to reduce their severity.
12. Multimodal transport is governed by the United Nations International Convention on Multimodal Transport, which was signed in May 1981 but has not yet come to force because the requirement of 30 countries has not yet been achieved. Ten countries including five from Africa have ratified the convention on multinational transport. A multimodal convention has been adopted by member States of CEMAC which takes into account the experience of the United Nations Convention and it provides the framework for multimodal transport regulation among member States. The African countries that have signed do not as yet have the provisions of the convention incorporated in their national laws. The biggest development in multimodal transport in Africa during the last decade is the establishment of Inland Container Depots (ICDs) serving landlocked countries and the growth of containerization and container traffic particularly in southern Africa. The subsector needs to give special attention to (i) Ratification and accession to international treaties and conventions; (ii) application and utilization of ICT and corridor development initiatives; and (iii) establishment of indigenous Multimodal Transport Operators (MTOs).
13. Urban transport in Africa is still lacking the institutional framework it requires in terms of its stake in environment protection, and urban roads safety despite the fact that African urban population growth is about 6 %, more than 10 % of the gross national product (GNP) coming from the urban sector. African cities devote 15 to 20% of their budget expenditure on urban transport systems and an average urban household spends about 18 % of its monthly income on transport which aggravates poverty. The acquisition of personal cars is growing in the cities by anything from 15 to 20 %. There is urgent need for the development of appropriate policies for urban transport with the objective of reducing urban pollution. The lack of adequate urban services is also an issue of concern.
14. Inland water transport is providing the African continent with an inexpensive, energy-efficient and environmentally - friendly form of transport. Progress in its development and exploitation in Africa has remained slow over the past decade, although it had grown in importance in other regions of the world. This is mainly because Africa has few navigable inland waterways. The Congo, Nile and the Zambezi rivers are classified as international waterways, but most of other rivers are still in their natural state, with seasonally variable and unpredictable water depths. The lakes offer better opportunities for inland water transport, particularly in eastern and central Africa. The industry is still largely unstructured and decentralized. Poor navigational aids, inadequate port facilities, non-implementation of safety regulations for inland waterways vessels and non-conventional crafts, remain some of the biggest challenges in the development of both river and lake inland waterways in Africa.
2. Communications
15. In the area of telecommunications the status as in the year 2000 indicates a telephone density of 2.49 % with 1.48 mobile telephone subscribers per 1000 persons in Africa. For internet subscribers it was 2.75 subscribers per 10,000, persons and 52.6 internet users per 10,000 persons. Since 1999, the respective growth rate in order listed in these categories have been 2.3 %, 48 % and 50.6 % as compared to 7.6 %, 44.6 % and 47.7 % globally. Also, more than 26 regulatory bodies have been created (the global number is 101), 17 countries have fully privatized their national telecommunications (globally 100 countries have done so), and telecommunications services are now open to competition (in full or partially) in a large number of African countries. During the last Decade, African countries have embarked on several reforms, which led to the establishment of conducive environment for private sector participation. However, the sector is characterized by high costs, poor quality of services and in some cases by lack of appropriate competition. The African markets as well as the communications network are not integrated. The levels of connections and the waiting list, which represent only a low part of the whole demand, illustrate that Africa has one of the highest margin developments in the world. Despite the relative investment effort made, the progress in the telecommunication subsector in Africa remains slow compared to other regions. The telephone network in Africa is reputed to be the least reliable in the world; telephone lines fail to operate every 11 months compared to four years on the average world-wide. Finally, most of the African telecommunication networks are constituted of imported materials and equipment which are very costly.
16. The use of ICT to maximise and increase efficiency is gradually being recognized within the transport sector on the continent. However most of the entities responsible for the development of transportation, do not have the luxury of competent ICT expertise.
17. With the gradual liberalization of audio-visual facilities and the declining costs of radio broadcasting transmission equipment and programme production, the change in the radio broadcasting landscape has been speeded up in several African countries with the emergence of private commercial, religious, educational and other FM stations in urban and rural areas.
18. Local private television companies are taking shape in Africa and are beginning to compete with the traditional state services. Included are also the satellite services introduced in many countries. In 1999, there were seven television sets per 100 persons in Africa as compared to 25.9 for the rest of the World.
19. The detachment of postal services from telecommunications has been widespread in the last decade in Africa. In the year 2000, Africa had only 10 countries (16 world-wide) where postal and telecommunications services continued to operate under one state management. Available information indicates that Africa’s postal services have not changed much in the last decade.
III. Challenges and Issues
20. In general, the performance of the transport and communications infrastructure and services sector in Africa is still hampered by the following issues and challenges:
(a) Lack of appropriate policy formulation and implementation
21. Over the past years, African countries have been making efforts to expand their various infrastructures and ensure their sustainability. However, due to lack of appropriate policy framework and the problems associated with the existing institutional structures, the growth and efficiency of the sector has been impeded. Most of the policies adopted to regulate and operate transport infrastructures and services development in Africa, do not help create a conducive environment for private sector participation. Some of the issues requiring special attention under policy formulation, among others, are: (i) formulation and harmonization at national, subregional and regional levels of appropriate policies; (ii) adoption and implementation of liberalization policies of markets especially in air transport maritime and telecommunications; (iii) safeguarding the interest of consumers; (iv) establishment of appropriate regulatory framework for a liberalized environment; (v) enhance implementation capacity in Ministries of Transport and Communications to drive forward Policy and legal reforms in member state; (vi) ensure enforcement of rules, regulations and agreements in collaboration with all relevant government organs and agencies; viii) undertake harmonization and joint implementation of policy and legal framework at REC level.
(b) Inadequate financing
22. The financial problems in the transport sector are often associated with the expansion of infrastructure and its sustainability through maintenance interventions and excessive reliance on loans. Often, the costs of infrastructure renewal are beyond the capacity of African countries. Governments currently face the problem of how to generate and mobilize resources for the renewal of infrastructure since the foreign loans and grants for the construction of new infrastructure and maintenance are becoming very scarce and not enough to cover all the priorities for African development. Recent estimates suggest that annual infrastructure investment requirements in Africa are about 5 to 6 per cent of GDP, which implies investment needs of over US$250 billion during the next 10 years alone. To achieve effective private sector participation in infrastructure development requires governments to create an enabling environment (appropriate policy and legal framework). Most donor resources are for Investment Action Programme, rather than the Policy Reform Action Programme which is crucial for attractive private sector funding for investing in infrastructures. There is therefore a huge market that the private sector could exploit. African countries can only meet the resource requirements indicated above if both private and public sector funding are mobilized for mutually agreed projects. The key areas of concern are: (i) establishment of conducive environment for the private sector participation; (ii) introduction of innovative policies and measures to increase financial resources; (iii) establishment of stable macroeconomic policies; iv) development and implementation of clear and transparent regulatory measures; and (v) development of cross border financing; (vi) to ensure resources are directed to the priorities of REC’s and member States.
(c) High cost of transportation and communications infrastructure and services
23. Africa’s transport and communications infrastructure and services costs are the highest in the world. For example, the freight costs in East and West Africa is 70% higher than in Asia. Some studies in the 1990s indicated that transport costs in some African countries were 5 to 6 times higher than those in a comparable South Asian country. Studies undertaken by the United Nations Conference on Trande and Development (UNCTAD) in July 2001, revealed that the ratio of transport costs as a percentage of value of exports could reach 55.5% for land - locked countries in Africa. In this regard, it will be necessary to: (i) adopt measures to reduce additional costs related to administration; (ii) redefine the role of government in regulation and avoid monopoly; (iii) improve infrastructure; and (iv) ensure better maintenance and improved facilitation measures.
(d) Lack of appropriate human and institutional capacity
24. Human resource and institutional development is among the prerequisites for sector development and participation in world globalization. But, in most African countries, the infrastructure sector lacks the required human resource and institutional capacity as well as technical efficiency to produce, create and deliver transport and communications services to the African community. The actions to be developed should take into account: (i) sharing of knowledge and good practices; (ii) training of trainers; (iii) establishment of appropriate capacity at national and subregional level; (iv) reinforcement of Associations; (v) establishment of centers of excellence; (vi) address the issue of HIV/AIDS on transport related activities.
(e) Poor transport and communications facilitation
25. Unnecessary administrative procedures and lack of appropriate facilitation measures and policies are hampering access to markets. Under these circumstances, the private sector is not participating in the development of the transport sector and long delays sometimes up to 10 days for goods transportation can be observed in corridors of less than 1,000 km in length. In some African corridors there are up to 7 checkpoints per 100 kilometers, hence reducing the number of turn-round of vehicles and increasing cost of transportation. The intercountry transport operation activities are also usually affected by facilitation problems associated with transit services, customs and other regulations arising from the policy framework of the different countries. Efforts should be made in the coming years to deal with: (i) the ratification and implementation of the appropriate conventions; (ii) harmonization and simplification of procedures; (iii) removal of non- physical barriers including simplification of customs procedures; and (iv) intensification of the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
(f) Inadequate safety and security
26. The rate of road accidents is very high in Africa compared to other continents. The socio-economic cost of these accidents is estimated at about 2% of GNP. All transport and communications modes involve safety and security of people and goods especially in specific corridors, air and maritime transport urban and rural areas, which need to be addressed during the coming years. Areas for special considerations should include: (i) creation of awareness and education in safety and security issues; (ii) training of appropriate stakeholders; and (iii) development and implementation of manual and appropriate policies; (iv) development of manuals on port safety and security, and (v) develop capacity for search and rescue.
(g) Weak environment and pollution measures
27. Environmental degradation is now a major global concern. Transport infrastructure and the means of transportation have a big negative impact on the environment, which needs to be controlled. The air and noise pollution of most African cities and congestion at borders have been intensified during the last years. In addition risk of maritime pollution is increasing. The environmental problems associated with this situation are expressed in terms of gas emissions, noise, oil spillage, ship waste treatment etc. The creation of awareness and adoption of appropriate policies and measures at national, subregional and regional levels will help improve the situation. Examples of such measures include: establishment of coastal and maritime observatories; establishment of pollution control measures; and reinforcement of existing programmes.
(h) Unexploited technological development
28. The introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the transport sector is the most challenging issue facing African countries due to the obsolescence of the equipment and instrument. The use of Information Technology (IT) has changed the way of doing business, and proved a potent instrument of trade expansion in the form of e-commerce. Such potential opportunities are not well exploited in Africa. The appropriate use of ICT and training and the acquisition of knowledge will be the necessary actions to be undertaken during the coming years.
(i) Poor contribution of urban and rural areas to development and to poverty reduction
29. It is estimated that in the near future half of the poor in Africa will live in urban areas, but very far from their work places. As a result urban commuters will have difficulties to access adequate transport services. The present situation of the urban centers shows that households spend 5% to 10% of their income on transport. In some cases the figure is even 15% or more. The rural population on the other hand is often devoid of modern transport access in Africa resulting in the majority of the population being still dependent on traditional modes of transport such as pack animals and non-motorized vehicles. The issues for special considerations under this point are related to: (i) better planning of infrastructure and land use; (ii) empowerment of women to develop rural travel and transport policies; and (iii) development and implementation of appropriate rural transport policies.
(j) Lack of appropriate database
30. Lack and paucity of appropriate data to monitor, plan and assess the performance of the transport and communications sector has made it difficult for policy makers to develop appropriate policies and investments for the sector. The establishment of database at national, subregional and regional levels following the harmonization of data and procedures for their collection, including the elaboration of performance indicators should receive the highest priority in the coming years.
(k) Disjointed market integration and inappropriate infrastructure network
31. African infrastructure network is disjointed due substandard and missing links in all modes of transport and communications, especially along trans African highways, railway lines, air transport and communications. Consequently travel within Africa is difficult and not available during all seasons. In addition, markets are not integrated and all products cannot reach the consumption areas on time. Among the issues to be addressed under this item are: (i) the completion of missing links at national, subregional and regional levels; (ii) elaboration of appropriate maintenance procedures; (iii) coordination among various RECs; and (iv) improvement and expansion of the interconnection and the physical network.
IV. The Lessons Drawn From The Two Consecutive Decade Programmes; Untacda I (1978-1988) And UNTACDA II (1991-2000)
32. The following are the weak and strong points learned during the implementation of the two-decade programmes:
a. Weak points
1. Financial Constraints
33. The decade programmes had suffered from financial constraints and related resource limitations due to conditions and cumbersome procedures of the implementation of financing by some donors, as well as obligations to mobilize entire counterpart budget to projects. Lack of sufficient local counterpart funding and inadequate financing to cater for recurrent maintenance costs of completed projects and existing networks had also been major constraints.
2. Lack of commitment on the part of government and organizations (particularly the regional communities)
34. This problem has been manifested mainly in the form of lack of definite policy commitment to the sector at all levels. The formulation and implementation of the different policies at all levels, related to the sector were not consistent and have been characterized by lack of clarity/transparency. Deviations are often observed between regional, subregional and national transport policies that had seriously affected the commitment of the various partners/stakeholders towards the implementation of common goals and objectives.
3. Lack of clarity in the definition of tasks
35. This comprises problems associated with institutional arrangements, regulations and policy framework issues. It is often expressed in different forms that include: (i) lack of coordination between the regulatory functions of the various government agencies and the parties responsible for the development of the sector; (ii) limitations in the existing structure of the Transport and Communications Ministries, often characterized by their bureaucratic and monopolistic nature, as well as their inadequate capacity to manage the various projects; (iii) lack of demarcation between government agencies and transport operators; (iv) lack of planning, institutional and management capacity and absence of management autonomy; and (v) slow implementation process in the restructuring and privatization of state owned enterprises.
4. Inadequate implementation and follow-up mechanism
36. During the implementation of the two-decade programmes, the inadequate implementation of projects had been a common phenomenon. There was lack of adequate follow-up mechanism at all levels and that has been affecting the mobilization of resources and the achievements of time frame in the implementation of projects at national levels. The inadequate follow-up of the implementation of valuable decisions such as the framework for Action Plan adopted during the 11th meeting of the Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications in Cairo, Egypt in 1997, had adversely affected the outcome expected from the programme during the remaining years.
5. Relatively low level of achievements of the objectives
37. Although, the level of achievements of the different objectives of the decade programme varies from sector to sector it has in general been low. This has been mainly due to lack of adequate follow-up mechanism and institutional and other constraints. It is also worth noting that the formulation of objectives and goals should be more realistic in future, taking the main issues of the sector in to account at national, subregional and regional levels.
6. Data Base
38. The paucity of data has hampered the analysis and evaluation of UNTACDA II projects and programs.
b. Strong points
7. Recognition of the importance of transport and communications
39. African policy makers have recognized that the economic development of the continent depends also on safe, affordable and reliable transport and communications, infrastructure and services that are planned at national, sub regional and regional levels. Therefore, two United Nations Transport and Communications Decades were proclaimed at the request of African countries, by the United Nations General Assembly. The New African Partnership for Africa’s Development has also recognized the need of developing transport and communications infrastructure and services to reach the goal of African leaders.
8. Recognition of the magnitude of the financing requirement
40. During the year of implementation of the UNTACDA II programme, African countries have recognized the need to put more financial resources in transport and communications infrastructure and services development in order to reduce the gap of the performance of African transport with those of the rest of the world.
9. Relevance of UNTACDA II objectives
41. The outcome of the final evaluation clearly indicates that the implementation of the programme has constituted a relevant and an effective framework for dialogue and consultations towards the development of transport and communications sectors in Africa. It concluded also that preparation and approval in 1991 of the UNTACDA II objectives and strategies by African Ministers of transport and communications had paved the way for effective cooperation among the various Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) development partners for supporting economic and social progress of African states either individually or collectively.
10. The need to maintain a framework for consultation
42. Experience from the two decade programmes indicate that there is a need for an established framework for maintaining consultations and dialogue at national, subregional and regional levels in the development of transport and communications in Africa.
V. The Successor Arrangement for UNTACDA Programmes
43. As indicated above, the IACC meeting organized in Addis Ababa from 31st October to 2nd November 2001 recommended that a successor arrangement of the UNTACDA programme should be in a form of Plan of Actions with clear vision statement as well as actions involving all stakeholders.
1. Vision
44. The vision of this Plan of Action is to: “Develop integrated transport and communication systems to provide the continent with safe, reliable, efficient and affordable infrastructure and services so as to promote regional integration, address the needs of the poor, reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS, empower women, underpin economic growth and enhance Africa’s position in the global markets”. The elements of the Plan of Actions are indicated below. The successful implementation of the plan of Actions will require innovative approach and better collaboration as well as joint actions among countries and Regional economic communities. It will require more specifically:
a) Expression of Commitment by like minded states to implement regional projects in a form of Memorandum of Understanding to work together with the assistance of bilateral donors. In this regard, coordination arrangement between the interested donors and the policy makers will be developed;
b) Empower subregional organizations to take the lead in the setting up and implementing of appropriate rules and procedures in line with good economic and political governance of the countries concerned e.g. sound and transparent policy for private sector participation. In this regard, coordination among subregional organizations will be necessary in order to avoid duplication;
c) New role of governments to attract the private sector the governments shall: (i) ensure that infrastructure development policies and programme fit into the overall policy framework for reducing poverty; (ii) focus on the formulation of policies and provision of directions and laying out productive regulations as well as credible, transparent legal and regulatory frameworks; and (iii) creation of appropriate enabling environment for privatization/commercialization, corporatization to attract private sector investment.
d) Enforcement of policy through the use of legal instruments existing at sub regional and regional economic communities. These Communities will have the role of implementation agencies of the actions together with the countries concerned and the specialized regional and international agencies.
e) Promote solidarity among member States in order to facilitate access of countries with low indebtment capacity to concessionary resources for the development of regional projects.
2. Plan of Action for the period 2003 - 2007
45. Africa needs to build on success achieved and emulate examples elsewhere in the area of infrastructure and services for transport and communications otherwise it will continue to lag behind the rest of the world. As indicated above, the continent needs to: adjust its policies, build physical and human capacities, modernize management, attract more private sector, improve transport facilitation, adopt appropriate corridor approach, reduce transportation cost, improve safety and security, take into account poverty reduction dimension in infrastructure development policies, and introduce new technologies. Efficiency however, requires concentrating on a few areas of priority actions on the above identified key challenges and issues. The development objective of each of the element indicated below is meant to address the key issues and challenges indicated above. The actions indicated below are to be implemented in a period of five years and should constitute the coordinated work programme for regional and subregional organizations dealing with transport and communications infrastructure development in Africa. The actions have taken into account the continuation of the regional initiatives developed during the UNTACDA II programme.
46. The year 2002 has been initially set aside to allow for the necessary consultations among the partners that would be involved in the implementation of the proposed Plan of Action, and further consultations will continue during the implementation period.
a. Policy reforms and private sector participation
Objective 1: To assist countries to improve the management of transport and communications infrastructure and services and deepen ongoing reform.
Outputs:
1. Technical publication on best practices related to transport policy on privatization/commercialization/corporatization of infrastructure and services. (RECs, UNECA, Specialized agencies, Associations).
2. Technical assistance to member States on transport and communication policy development, harmonization and reforms. (UNECA, Multilateral and Bilateral donors, UN Institutions).
Objective 2: To ensure the implementation of the SSATP programme
Outputs:
1. Implement the Business Plan of the SSATP related to RMI, RTTP, Trade and Transport, Urban Mobility and Railway Restructuring. (World Bank, ADB, ECA, RECs, UAR, MOWCA, Bilateral donors, African countries).
2. Mobilize more resources for the SSATP and extend if possible the coverage of the programme to all African countries. (World Bank, ADB, ECA, RECs UAR, Port Associations, Bilateral donors, African countries).
Objective 3: Promote institutional and regulatory environment to ensure a competitive, affordable and efficient transport sector and reinforce member States and RECs’ institutional capacities to increase private and public partnership in transport and communications sectors.
Outputs:
1. Establish and/or cooperate with private sector networks. (UNECA, OAU/AU, RECs, Associations).
2. Prepare and organize seminars, workshops on legislative guide on privately financed infrastructure as well as on infrastructure development through various forms of commercialization/privatization. (UNCTAD, UNIDO, World Bank, ADB, MOWCA, Port Associations etc).
3. Prepare, exchange, and disseminate information on African as well as other regions experience on commercialization/privatization with a view to facilitate knowledge transfer and creating better public understanding with private sector participation. (UNECA, OAU/AU, RECs, ADB, UAR, MOWCA and Port Associations).
4. Train experts of Member States and the RECs to conceive and implement policy reform regulation (UNCTAD, UN agencies and Port Associations).
5. Prepare and implement appropriate regulatory framework to encourage a dealing with liberalized environment and help ensure affordable and reliable transport services and competitive and efficient transport markets.
6. Establish public/private sector partnership based on trust and risk sharing.
7. Reinforce capacity at national levels for better handling of financial and legal issues of concessioning and privatization process
Objective 4: Liberalize market access of transport and communications sectors.
Outputs:
1. Assist RECs in the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision and define regulatory framework for liberalized markets (UNECA, OAU/AU, ADB, AFCAC, AFRAA, RECs, Bilateral and Multilateral institutions).
2. Disseminate information and develop additional legal measures to liberalize the air transport markets in Africa. (UNECA, OAU/AU, AFCAC, AFRAA, RECs).
3. Organize workshop on air transport liberalization. (UNECA, OAU/AU, AFCAC, AFRAA, RECs).
4. Prepare and implement appropriate policies for communications market liberalization. (ITU, RECs, Associations, ECA, etc.).
5. Harmonize national policies and set up regulatory organs for liberalized markets (ECA, ITU, RECs, Association, etc).
6. Progressively liberalize the urban and international land transport in parallel with the organization of the sector.
7. Promote and facilitate access of private sector to the management of national railway authorities by establishing share holdings.
Objective 5: Improve the policy in providing information services and development of industrialization in communications (ITU, RECs, Associations).
Output:
1. Implement AISI. (UNECA, RECs, Partners).
2. Harmonize national and regional regulations (ITU, RECs, Association).
3. Prepare and implement market liberalization policies as well as regulatory framework (ITU, RECs, Association, etc.).
4. Implement INDAFTEL (ITU, RECs, UNIDO, Private sector, etc.).
b. Capacity building and human resources and institutional development
Objective 6: Strengthen African capacities to conceive and implement policy reform in order to improve the management of transport and communications infrastructure and services and to create a conducive environment.
Outputs:
1. Prepare appropriate policies which will create an institutional and regulatory environment to separate the activities related to policy aspects from operations.
2. Workshops on knowledge sharing, advisory services (UN institutions and private sector).
3. Organization, every three years, of Symposia on African Transport Development (UNECA and partners).
4. Training of trainers at subregional and regional levels (UN Institutions, Private sectors, Bilateral donors, etc).
5. Training on ICT-related transport issues such as e-commerce. (UNCTAD, Private sector, etc).
6. Reinforcement of activities and performance of existing subregional and regional Associations and institutions dealing with the development of transport and communications.
c. Infrastructure and poverty alleviation
Objective 7: Assistance to member States to improve socio - economic conditions through infrastructure and services development in urban and rural areas.
Outputs
1. Studies on poverty and transport related issues in selected African countries. (ADB, OAU, UNECA, UN specialized institutions, RECs).
2. Improve transport access services in urban and rural areas (SSATP, countries, Associations, RECs).
3. Empowerment of women in infrastructure and services development (African countries and donors).
4. Studies on the impact of HIV/AIDS on transport and communications services development and creation of awareness through seminars. (UN Institutions, ADB, Multilateral Institutions, etc).
d. Transport Database
Objective 8: Establish a regional database to monitor the performance of the sector and to guide investment.
Output:
1. Publish with extra budgetary resources an update methodology for data harmonization and collection (ECA and Port Associations).
2. Prepare with extra budgetary resources software for database development at ECA, RECs and specialized institutions (ECA, RECs and Port Associations).
3. Provide advisory services to member States in data collection and establishment of database (UN Institutions, ECA and Port Associations).
4. Establish and develop, maintain and network with institutions, using extra budgetary resource, and the regional and subregional database at ECA and RECs. (ECA, RECs and Port Associations).
e. Physical infrastructure and integration of markets
Objective 9: To improve transport and communications infrastructure and services in order to promote intraregional trade and free movement of goods and persons within and beyond the continent and to improve the infrastructure connectivity in order to facilitate trade.
Outputs:
1. Promotion for the construction of missing links of infrastructure (Trans African Highways, rail, communications, etc.). (ADB, UNECA, RECs, African countries, etc).
2. Promote railway interconnection and harmonization of technical standards (UNECA, UAR, RECs, ADB, African countries, Multilateral and bilateral donors, Private sector). This is one of the regional initiative.
3. Promote interconnection of telecommunications network and encourage member states to participate in ITU project of industrialisation as well RASCOMM project
4. Encourage sustainability of the infrastructure through maintenance (African countries, ADB, RECs, Transport and communications institutions)
f. Facilitation
Objective 10: To improve facilitation of selected corridors and replicate the Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) concept.
1. Prepare manuals and provide technical assistance to Member States in implementing harmonized and simplified transport and communications infrastructure procedures that promote trade in specific corridors. (RECs, OAU/AU, UNECA, Port Associations Bilateral donors, and Member States).
2. Increase awareness through seminars in order to develop local expertise for R&D. (UNCTAD, UNECA, WTO, OAU/AU, UN Agencies, Port Associations and African specialized agencies, etc).
3. Provide advisory services and training to implement corridor agreements and build capacity at national level. (UN Institutions, African specialized institutions, countries, Port Associations).
4. Prepare studies on transportation cost along selected corridors and raise awareness of policy makers (UNCTAD, RECs, UNECA, etc.).
5. Prepare cost reduction measures and assistance to member States in ratifying conventions. (UN Institutions, Specialized agencies and Association).
6. Exchange experience in SDI concept.
g. Safety and Security
Objective 11: Create awareness and assist member States to improve transport and communications safety and security.
Outputs:
1. Organize seminars on African Road Safety initiative (RECs, UNECA, Private sector, etc).
2. Collect and disseminate data on safety and security issues related to all modes of transport and communications and infrastructure services development (UNECA, ICAO, WHO, GRSP, UN specialized agencies, Associations, RECs).
3. Assistance to member States to improve safety and security in infrastructure and services development including establishment of national road safety council. (UN Institutions, Associations, Private sector, etc.).
4. Strengthening civil aviation security to meet the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
5. Organize seminars/workshops on safety and security in ports (IMO and Port Associations).
h. New Technology
Objectiv 12: Increase efficiency and use of ICT in improving infrastructure services development as well as management of the transport and communications sectors.
Outputs:
1. Creating awareness of policy makers and private sector on ICT related issues to transport and communications infrastructure and services. (UNCTAD, WTO, UNIDO, Specialized Institutions, Association).
2. Promote utilization of ICT in corridor development.(UNCTAD, RECs, UN Institutions, Associations and private sector).
3. Assistance to member States in the development of policies related to ICT in infrastructure and services. (Private sector, UNCTAD, UN Institutions, etc.).
i. Environmental issues
Objective 13: Increase awareness and assist member States to reduce the impact of infrastructure development and transport services on environment taking into account environmental issues in national policies and regulations.
Outputs:
1. Studies on environmental impact of transport in selected African countries to identify environment-related problems in transport and communications and to propose appropriate solutions. (UNEP, WHO, IMO, Specialized Institutions, African countries).
2. Organize seminars on environmental issues related to transport and communications development. (UNECA, OAU/AU, RECs, Specialized Institutions).
3. Assistance to member States to develop policies and regulation to be incorporated into national regulations. (UN Institutions, RECs, African countries).
4. Develop appropriate legislation to control gas emission (African countries, UN Institutions, Specialized agencies, etc).
5. Protecting the marine environment through the implementation of appropriate IMO conventions.
6. Preserve marine environment through the establishment of maritime navigation support centers with a view to ensuring better maritime transit and improving maritime traffic safety.
7. Reinforce safety and security of maritime fleets and train seafarers.
j. Financing Infrastructure sector
Objective 14: Increase awareness and assist member States to develop innovative financing solutions for their infrastructure projects.
Outputs:
1. Organize donors sensitization meetings on the financing of the missing links (RECs, UNECA, OAU/AU, Association, African countries, ADB, Private sector).
2. Prepare and disseminate innovative financing solutions for the development of infrastructure and services (ADB, UNCTAD, UNIDO, ITU, UNECA, RECs, UN and African specialized Institutions).
3. Promotion of subregional initiatives for financing intra-country projects. (RECs, African countries, subregional transport institutions and Associations).
4. Promotion and support to the ICAO International financial Facility for Aviation Safety (Member States, ICAO and bilateral donors).
5. Continue to promote mobilization of internal resources.
6. Assist airlines to access resources for the industry’s development.
VI. Structure and mechanism
47. The success of the implementation of the Action plans will depend on the mechanisms to be set up. In this regard, taking into account the lesson learned from the previous UNCTADA mechanisms, it is essential that the implementation of the programme should be the primary responsibility of the member States and that the role of OAU/AU, ECA and NEPAD focuses on supporting the effort of member States.
48. Regional: OAU/African Union, NEPAD secretariat and ECA, (as lead agency) in conformity with their mandate and on the basis of their respective resources, will work with the donor community, African sub - regional organizations and the United Nations agencies to formulate plans of action, coordinate, and monitor their implementation.
49. Subregional: The RECs in cooperation with the ECA/SRDCs will implement subregional activities, coordinate and monitor the pursuit of policy reforms and those physical integration and infrastructure projects that improve accessibility. The SRDCs will need adequate resources to undertake these tasks, and will work with NGOs, subregional and regional professional associations.
50. National: Member States will institute policy reforms and conduct transport and communications infrastructure and services projects working as much as possible with NGOs, civil society, professional and trade union organizations.
51. Supreme organs: The instances of concerted actions will be an annual forum of the Regional Economic Communities and a forum to be organized every two or three years by OAU/African Union, NEPAD secretariat, ADB and ECA.
52. Multilateral agencies: ADB as a lead agency of the NEPAD for infrastructure development will coordinate and take the lead role for resource mobilization and provision of advisory services especially in financing policies to mobilise the private sector.
53. Sectoral agencies and professional organizations: They will play a lead role in assisting member States to develop appropriate policies and conducive environment.
VII. Funding arrangements
54. The following funding arrangements are proposed:
· Member States have to mobilize required internal and external resources to implement the Plan of Action;
· The OAU/African Union, NEPAD secretariat, ADB, RECs, African countries and ECA will bear joint responsibility for making arrangements for member States to secure financing;
· For subregional activities, the subregional communities will bear similar responsibility;
· National activities and projects will be the responsibility of member States; and
· The African policy makers and planners will prepare the entire project financing request and conduct all activities leading to the mobilization of financing for project execution.
Annex III
Opening Statement by K. Y. Amoako, Executive Secretary of ECA, Addis Ababa, 06 March 2002
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Participants,
I am once again privileged to welcome you to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the occasion of the 12th Session of the Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications, which is being organized within the context of United Nations Transport and Communications Decade in Africa (UNTACDA).
I am grateful that, through your Conference, you are keeping and building your solidarity and collective force to help Africa progress. I am also grateful that you have graciously given the African Development Forum the benefit of your participation. I sincerely hope that it will be possible for you to stay through the completion of the Forum on Friday.
Your substantive contributions to the Forum are an important addition, as authoritative advice on how best to foster Africa’s infrastructure, which is critical to an effective African Union. In addition, as you well know, with the initiative of NEPAD, there should be a very useful boost in creating necessary sub-regional and regional infrastructure. So, both on the policy front with the Union, and on the project front with NEPAD, we are in a time when your special leadership is and will be in demand, as rarely seen before on this continent.
It would be a useless task, akin to shipping coal to Newcastle, if I were to tell you why infrastructure is essential to Africa’s development. It is essential to our development and to making our African economy and society a vibrant, interconnected whole. That is why this Commission has worked with you and your predecessors for decades, and we will continue to do so.
Now, after two UN transport and communications Decades in Africa, 1978-88 and 1991-2000, you have on your agenda an evaluation of the results of collaboration between your governments with your international partners, to foster policies and structures of linkage and cooperation.
Previous mid-course evaluations of the most recent Decade took place in 1994 and 1997. Having participated with you in your Cairo meeting in 1997, I recall your adopting a Plan of Action to accelerate implementation of the Decade, in its remaining years.
Over the past weekend, your experts have reviewed the final evaluation and have recommended to you successor arrangements to UNCTADA II as part of what is proposed as “The Way Forward.”
These documents tell us about the excellent actions of collaboration that you can rightly celebrate. They also show the very long distance we have to go to obtain the networked Africa we all desire.
Let me briefly add my own views on these matters.
As an economist, permit me to play with numbers, hopefully not as they did at Enron. In terms of the investments planned under UNCTADA One, some $12.85 Billion was mobilized. Under UNCTADA Two, some $9 billion was mobilized, a drop of 30% in nominal terms and an extremely serious drop in real terms.
The estimated needs in transport, energy and communications infrastructure for regional linkages in the next decade is $250 Billion, or a 25-fold annual increase from present levels. I realize NEPAD will propose expenditures somewhere in the middle of the total need and where we are now.
To me, this means that we need to look at two issues:
First, if $25 Billion a year in new money is out of reach, what are the most useful, top priority and affordable parts of the integration agenda that should be done soon?
But Second, while the affordable parts of our joint agenda is being carried out, how can we position ourselves to more likely receive finance for the big ticket infrastructure items in our Plans?
I would like to spend a few minutes on each question. I have only suggestions on these issues, but I raise them confident that individually and collectively you have much to offer on these questions.
First, what is affordable and important which we can do together? In terms of efficiency and impact, effectively implemented policy changes are probably hands down the investments in transport and communications that are the least expensive and the most rewarding.
Your reports outline a number of policy issues that are low cost and high reward. Let me illustrate this by mentioning one policy area which is of real concern, that of road safety. To me, there are two aspects of road safety: we don’t want to get hurt by accidents and we don’t want to be robbed. We have the highest accident rate of any continent and we have the most delays due to illegal roadblocks and outright road piracy.
We frequently complain that our transportation costs are among the highest in the world. Part of the reason is inadequate infrastructure, but part of the reason is because our transport fleets are subject to very high extra costs because of accidents, shakedowns and extraordinary delays at checkpoints.
These problems are not unique to Africa. Research of the 3500 kilometer transport route from Sao Paulo, Brazil, to Valparaiso, Chile found that on average the trip took 200 hours. More than 100 hours of that time was spent at the two border crossings on that route. To haul the same tonnage, truckers in that part of the world require a fleet about twice the size of what would be required if there were efficient border processing.
Examination of the best cases in Africa to reduce these problems would be useful. Explorations of new kinds of cooperation, for example working with the private sector to jointly share the costs of highway safety campaigns, also might be worthwhile.
This is but one example where investment in policy and improved practices turn out to be far more doable and far more affordable than the big ticket construction items.
But can we cannot ignore the big ticket items which will weave our continent together. Most of the proposed transport and communications linkages put into past UNCTADA plans, were put there with good reason. And we can see many of these same plans emerge in NEPAD. Can we hope to finance them?
The key point I wish to offer is that such investments can be made to be more attractive for financing. For example, a much more efficiently used transport system would be one that would attract investment more easily.
Carrying the road transport example a bit further, one could say that by doing the doable policy reforms… safety on the road, eliminating as many of the delays as possible, harmonizing procedures… then we make investments in the infrastructure that much more attractive.
We can also take the same kind of actions to attract private sector investment in other realms of transport and communications, such airlines, electricity, pipelines and communications.
I want to underline a point that I mentioned in my opening statement on Monday. Regional integration has to bring equitable benefits. The international donor community is in the midst of taking increasingly concerted actions to reduce poverty in a much more focused way than in the past. By linking transport and communications investments with our poverty reduction goals, we add to their attractiveness for donor funding. Of course, this is more than a marketing exercise, for there are difficult problems to efficiently reach out to parts of the country where the poor are concentrated. But I think you will find interest in helping you do so.
It is with all these considerations in mind that I salute your Experts Group for proposing to you a Plan of Action for 2003-2007, titled “The Way Forward.” That Plan incorporates the kinds of approach I have discussed with you today. It is shorter term and has annual monitoring in it, thereby increasing our mutual accountability, each to the other, to act on what we agree. I am confident that as you review it, you will find even more ways to strengthen its practicality and the mechanisms to assure that it will be fully successful.
Let me end these few remarks with a few words of encouragement. As I have said to similar august groupings, we in Africa work in a tough neighborhood. It is not easy to work on inadequate budgets with inadequately trained staffs and where corruption can often infect well-intentioned efforts like a virus.
The encouraging thing is what the evaluation of UNCTADA shows as the real accomplishments of working together over the last two decades:
· A number of missing links of the Trans-African Highway network were bridged.
· The planned railway interconnections in the West and Eastern African sub-regions were completed.
· Better road management initiatives and appropriate institutions were established, with autonomous authorities set up in most modes.
· A decision to liberalize the African air transport was adopted through the Yamoussoukro Decision.
· Transit corridors to many of the land-locked countries became more effective.
· ECA launched the African Information Society and work with a number of countries on their policies and programs is often ahead of schedule.
· The African Telecommunications Union launched its African Connection Initiative.
· COMESA launched its COMTEL and ECOWAS its INTELCOM.
· And there are new grid systems, linkages and regional networks which have been established.
Honourable Ministers,
Yes, there is a lot of unfinished business of UNCTADA II and growing global challenges call us to move faster or we will be left behind. But we have accomplished enough together to give us confidence. We have a far better political climate for cooperation than in anyone’s memory. And many of our tasks are doable.
So I hope you are optimistic about your agenda and about moving ahead as brothers and sisters.
Mr. Chairman,
I want to thank you and your colleagues for agreeing to dovetail your conference with the African Development Forum on regional integration. Effective Transport and Communications networks are an absolutely integral part of successful regional integration, so your work is at the heart of this Forum’s considerations. And your being here is helping the Forum immeasurably.
Honourable Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for the opportunity of addressing this timely and important conference. You are always welcome to this Conference Center and I hope I will have the opportunity of seeing you here often.
Annex IV
Report of the Experts Meeting Preparatory to the Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the African Ministers of Transport and Communications
A. Organization
1. The Experts meeting preparatory to the twelfth meeting of the Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 2-3 March 2002 in the Conference Room number 2 of the Conference Centre of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The purpose of this meeting was to review the final evaluation report of the Transport and Communications Decade and to prepare the appropriate decision for the Ministers’ attention for the establishment of a successor programme to the second United Nations Transport and Communications Decade in Africa. The decisions to be taken by the Ministers would also contribute to the establishment of the African Union as well as the New Partnerships in Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
B. Participation
2. The meeting was attended by representatives of the following member States of the Economic Commission for Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Guinea, Great Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, The United Republic of Tanzania, Republic of South Africa, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, The Sudan, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
3. The following specialized institutions of the United Nations and African intergovernmental bodies also participated at the meeting: African Airlines Association (AFRAA), African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), African Development Bank (ADB), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Community of Sahelo-Sahelian States (CEN-SAD), Economic Community for Central African States (ECCAS), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), Northern Corridor - Transit Transport Coordination Authority (NC-TTCA), Organization of African Unity/African Union (OAU/AU), Pan-African Association for Port Cooperation (PAPC), Pan-African Postal Union (PAPU), Port Management Association for Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA), Regional Maritime Academy (RMA) Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), Sub-Saharan African Transport Programme (SSATP/World Bank), Union of African Railways (UAR), Universal Postal Union (UPU), West and Central African Maritime Organization (MOWCA)
C. Opening of the Meeting
4. The Chairman of the outgoing bureau welcomed the participants to the meeting of experts preparatory to the twelfth meeting of the Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications. Recalling that the integration of the transportation and communications means as well as the freedom of travel for people and goods are the first step and the milestone to achieve Africa’s development, he then expressed his hope that discussions on transport and communications issues will be conducted with a spirit to reach a common vision on how to strengthen the integration between African States.
5. He stressed the importance for the meeting to come out with a report that includes pertinent recommendations that will not only be appreciated by our Ministers, but could also be easily implemented at national, sub-regional and regional levels. He concluded his address by inviting the participants to work with their usual seriousness and to give necessary support to ECA Secretariat for the preparation of the report.
6. The meeting was officially opened by Mrs. Lalla Ben Barka, Deputy Executive Secretary on behalf of Mr. Y.K. Amoako, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
7. She welcomed and saluted the participants and asked the meeting to observe a one-minute silence for the railway accident which occurred in Egypt in February 2002 which she described as a great tragedy. She then highlighted the Objectives and Challenges of the Decade Programmes since adoption. She stressed the urgency in addressing these problems within the framework of the new international setting by showing that the starting point for this is the outcome of the final evaluation of the United Nations Transport and Communications Decade for Africa. She indicated that the evaluation before the meeting has examined issues related to the overall impact of the Second Transport Decade Programme in terms of the established qualitative and quantitative objectives and targets.
8. Regarding the outcome of the evaluation she further stressed that the implementation of the Decade programme has provided a framework for concerted action and mobilization, and also created a basis for the development of some activities in all sub-sectors. According to her statement it was within this context that policy reforms were instituted and harmonization efforts were given regional anchorage. Furthermore, she explained that the policies covered such areas as progressive disengagement of the public sector from direct management and operational activities, which has provided a suitable environment for liberalization in such sectors as railways, air transport, telecommunications, and shipping. The positive impact of these efforts is already visible. After indicating the underlying lessons drawn from the experiences during implementation of the two Decades she reminded that the immediate action required is to sustain the achievements and to urgently tackle the challenges. She said new initiatives such as New Partnerships in African Development (NEPAD) could make a vital contribution to the development of the sector, and our development partners have a particular responsibility in supporting these efforts.
D. Account of Proceedings
Election of the Bureau (Agenda item number 2)
9. The meeting elected the following Bureau:
Chairman: Republic of South Africa
First Vice-Chairman Senegal
Second Vice-Chairman Ethiopia
First Rapporteur The Sudan
Second Rapporteur Democratic Republic of Congo
Adoption of the Agenda and Programme of Work (Agenda item 3)
10. The meeting adopted the following agenda and programme of work:
(i) Agenda
1. Opening of the meeting
2. Election of the bureau
3. Adoption of agenda and programme of work
4. Final evaluation of UNTACDA II
4.1 Report of the third and final evaluation of UNTACDA II
(a) Current status of transport and communications in Africa
(b) Assessment of progress made in the implementation of UNTACDA II Programme projects
(c) Assessment of the status of implementation of thematic programmes
· Human resources development and database
· Safety and security
· Sub Saharan Africa Transport Policy (SSATP)
· Trans Highways
· Facilitation
· Yamoussoukro Decision and Declaration
(d) Status of Implementation of the Framework for Action adopted in 1997 (Chapter VI)
(e) Qualitative and quantitative assessment of the achievements of the objectives of UNCTADA II (Chapter VII)
(f) Assessment of the impact of the Decade programme on transport and Communications Development (Chapter VIII)
(g) The way forward (Chapter IX)
4.2 Recommendations of the IACC on the Way Forward
5. Any other business
6. Adoption of the report and closure of the meeting
(ii) Work Programme
The meeting agreed on the following work programme:
Mornings: 08:30 a.m. - 01:00 p.m.
Afternoons: 02:30 p.m. - 05:30 p.m.
Final evaluation of UNTACDA II (Agenda item 4)
11. The representative of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) presented the final evaluation of UNTACDA II (Doc. ECA/RCID/042/01).
12. In considering the current status of transport and communications in Africa, the meeting, after lengthy discussions, identified the following as major areas of concern. These entailed the need to:
· address institutional issues;
· develop an approach to operationalize the autonomy of Civil Aviation Authorities to include financial autonomy;
· develop linkages between financing of sub-regional and national projects;
· investigate of parallel financing for national projects;
· improve coordination in the road sector at regional level;
· emphasise the importance of road safety at both sub-regional and regional levels;
· remove the lack of uniformity in railway gauges in some corridors;
· improve the air transport connectivity and fares as well as harmonizing air services agreements;
· harmonize privatization/corporatization practices and assessment of impact;
· reduce cost of transportation;
· governments to strengthen airlines taking into account the impact of liberalization; and
· develop symbiosis in the financing of infrastructure.
13. The delegates noted that the discussion of decade programmes progressed well, however, it was noted that the following interventions need to be addressed to maximize the establishment of an integrated system of transport and communications in Africa. There is a need to:
· Inter link the development of ports to other modes to provide a basis for an efficient inter-modal approach;
· Examine issues relating to rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructure;
· Define the role of the government and that of the private sector in all future programmes for the development, rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructural projects. Indeed governments role should remain the development of standards, regulation monitoring and evaluation;
· Place emphasis in the development of rural roads as a basis for the development of rural communities and to support poverty alleviation programmes. In addition, empowerment of rural communities can be achieved by using them in the construction and maintenance of infrastructure;
· Harmonize the Action Plan with the projects of NEPAD in order to ensure the funding of the Plan of Action;
· Put more emphasis in capacity building, particularly with respect to planning, management and empowerment of African human resources;
· Underscore the role of peace and good governance in implementation of infrastructure development programmes should be underscored as preconditions for sustained development of the transport and communications sector;
· Urge the Governments to ratify various protocols and conventions, particularly with respect to maritime transport;
· Allocate appropriate maintenance budget lines for each country, however, in the case of transport corridors, a Maintenance Fund Mechanism was suggested;
· Put in place a boarder policy on the development of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and various national experiences should be incorporated as lessons learned;
· Accelerate privatization: up-to-date privatization of transport and communication enterprises has been slow which has inhibited the sourcing of private capital;
· Classify regional Maritime institutions.
14. Prolonged discussions were made on the Plan of Action for the Way Forward. The document was amended accordingly and is attached to the report as an Annex I.
Resolutions
15. The meeting has proposed the attached resolution in Annex II for the approval of the Ministers.
Any other business (Agenda item 5)
16. No issues were raised under this agenda item.
Adoption of the report and resolutions and closure of the meeting (Agenda item 6)
17. The meeting adopted the report and draft resolutions with some amendments.
18. Before the closure of the meeting, consultations took place for the nomination for the Ministers’ Conference Bureau. The suggested nominations will be presented to the Ministers.
19. The chairman closed the meeting by thanking the ECA for the quality of the documents prepared which has facilitated the debates. He also thanked all delegations for their attendance and contributions.
Annex V
Opening Statement by Lalla Ben Barka (Mrs.), Deputy Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Addis Ababa, 2 March 2002
Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Addis Ababa and to the Economic Commission for Africa. I wish to recognize in our midst a number of sister organizations who also teamed with us in providing very valuable information that enabled a thorough third and final evaluation of the United Nations transport and Communications Decade for Africa (UNTACDA II). Many of you here today have been at the centre of the development of the ideas, programmes and projects of UNTACDA. Many others, who are not with us today, whom you will ably represent have been preoccupied with the translation of the goals and objectives of the Decade into concrete actions that have made a great difference to transport services across the continent.
Distinguished Delegates,
You would recall that the principal long-term objective of the two Transport Decades was to establish an efficiently operated transport and communications system that will enable effective physical integration of the continent, the facilitation of movement of trade and people, and smooth international connection.
Since the adoption of these programmes a number of new challenges