As UN negotiations on a global Convention on International Tax Cooperation resume, economist Léonce Ndikumana argues that Africa must push for fairer international tax rules to curb illicit financial flows, reduce capital flight, strengthen tax transparency, and secure sustainable revenue. The article explores how global conflicts, debt pressures, and outdated tax systems undermine Africa’s economic resilience, while outlining key reforms that could reshape international taxation and support long-term development.
Tag: African economic development
Economic Intelligence: Africa’s Missing Policy Infrastructure
This article explores how economic intelligence is becoming a critical but underdeveloped policy tool for African economies. It examines Africa’s structural position in the global economy, including its low share of global trade and manufacturing, persistent dependence on commodity exports, and high import vulnerability. The analysis highlights how demographic growth, industrialisation gaps, and limited strategic data capacity constrain long-term economic transformation. Drawing on comparative examples from France, China, and Singapore, the article argues that economic intelligence—defined as the ability to anticipate, protect, and strategically position economic assets—has become essential for competitiveness in a data-driven global economy. It concludes that building institutional capacity for economic intelligence is key to improving Africa’s industrial strategy, regional integration, and economic resilience.