Dialogue on Partnership with Africa Continues at Dakar Summit

Senegalese President Abdou Diouf and World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn in Dakar.

Senegalese President Abdou Diouf welcomed the leaders of 16 countries and Wolfensohn in a follow up summit to this past January's Kampala Forum (see WBN February 5, 1998).

Countries represented included Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Sao Tome e Principe, Sierra Leone and South Africa.

Leaders discussed their vision for Africa, including ways in which the Bank could help them improve the lives of their citizens, who make up more than half of the continent's growing population of 600 million. Issues discussed were globalization, managing natural resources, strengthening human and institutional capacities, the effectiveness of aid partnerships, and security in the region. Diouf told reporters that the talks were "frank and sincere."

World Bank spokesperson Robert Calderisi says that the new partnership between Africa and the World Bank is intended to take into account the differences in national circumstances. Commenting on the Dakar and Kampala meetings, Calderisi noted that in Western and Central Africa, Islam is a much more important factor in how people view themselves and their future than it is in Eastern and Southern Africa.

"There is great respect for the state and the value of its role in economic life, with both positive and negative consequences for the pace of reform. Regional integration is highly advanced—both institutionally and informally."

The World Bank welcomed a proposal from the leaders to develop 10 year programs in key sectors, such as education, health, transport and communication infrastructure.

A follow up committee was set up, which includes the heads of state of Senegal, Gabon, Uganda, and South Africa. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org/html/extdr/Dakar98/, or call Eric Chinje at (202) 458-8418, fax 473-7917, or e-mail echinje@worldbank.org.