Cape Verde’s Vice-Prime Minister, Dr. Olavo Correia, has called on African countries to adopt new practices to accelerate development and make a positive impact on the continent’s population. Dr. Correia made the appeal during a Ministerial Technical meeting held in Dar es Salaam ahead of the African Human Capital Heads of State Summit.
In his speech, Dr. Correia emphasized the vast natural resources that Africa possesses, stating that the continent’s potential can be unlocked through investments in human capital. He highlighted the importance of imparting the right skills and knowledge to the African workforce, as infrastructure and resources alone would not lead to meaningful development.
The Vice-Prime Minister expressed concern over the lack of access to basic necessities such as energy, clean water, and quality jobs for millions of people on the continent. He stressed that illicit financial flows within Africa were contributing to this situation and called for a change in individual attitudes and mindsets.
Dr. Correia acknowledged the efforts made by the World Bank and other development partners in investing in human capital, but stressed that Africa must also play its part to ensure the success of these initiatives. He called for a more transparent and accountable Africa, urging for increased investment in awareness campaigns to combat illicit financing.
Highlighting the issue of dignity in Africa, the Vice-Prime Minister emphasized the need to create conditions that allow Africans to live with dignity. He noted that Africa is currently a net exporter of capital and stressed the importance of promoting good governance and accountability to change this situation.
Dr. Correia cited Cape Verde as an example, where the country is using taxpayers’ money to invest in human capital. The country’s goal is to achieve 100% access to education and healthcare by 2030 and eradicate extreme poverty by 2026.
In conclusion, Dr. Correia highlighted that good leadership and a sense of commitment among both the people and the leadership are crucial in harnessing the continent’s human capital potential.
The African Human Capital Heads of State Summit, which began following the Ministerial Technical meeting, aims to address various issues related to human capital development in Africa and explore strategies for inclusive growth and sustainable development on the continent.
