Transform Africa Summit 2018

– As prepared for delivery –

Statement by H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, President of the 72^nd Session of the UN General Assembly, at Transform Africa Summit 2018: “Accelerating Africa‘s Single Digital Market”

 

 

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, dear friends and colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

I want to start by thanking President Kagame, and the people of Rwanda, for welcoming us here, to Kigali.

As the President of the United Nations General Assembly, it is an honour to be here. Not only because of the role Rwanda plays on the international stage – through its contribution to UN peacekeeping, and as a champion of Sustainable Development. But, also, because Kigali has been the home for initiatives, which look set to change the course of history.

And, this Summit, is one of them.

As you know, it is called The Transform Africa Summit.

But, this it is not – just – about Africa.

Because, when Africa transforms – so does our whole world.

This is clear, from the mix of people in this room today. From heads of state to CEOs. And, coming, not just from Africa’s 54 countries, but from all corners of the world.

And, I am delighted to address you all today.

In doing so, I will make three main points

The first is about our context, today.

Because we cannot talk about Africa’s single digital market without, first, talking about Africa, itself.

And, when we look to this continent, we see some things, very clearly:

Opportunity.

Ambition.

Innovation.

Growth.

And, most importantly of all, hope.

Because for all the gains that have been made – there are many more on the horizon.

African economies are on the rise. The World Bank expects the continent’s to grow 3.2% this year, and 3.5% in 2019.

The continent is surging ahead with its own development. It has set out an ambitious vision, through the African Union’s Agenda 2063. And it is shaping our global development agenda, by its leadership in implementing our global goals: the Sustainable Development Goals.

Moves towards a single continental market are making the future look very bright, indeed. The latest step – and the biggest one yet – took place, right here, in March, with the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA). And, its potential is enormous. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, this could increase intra-Africa trade by more than 50%.

Africa is also creating its own solutions for the challenges it faces, when it comes to peace.

And, progress has been made in other areas. For example, the amount of African people with access to safe water has increased from 51%, in 1990, to 77% in 2015. Work against poverty has also led to gains. The share of Africa’s population in extreme poverty has fallen from 57% in 1990 to 41% in 2013.

But that number is still too high.

And so, we need to acknowledge that, despite the opportunities, Africa still faces huge challenges. Only 35% of the population has access to electricity. Transport infrastructure cannot keep up with global trends. In fact, Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world where road density has declined over the past 20 years.

Too many women still give birth, without skilled care.

Too many people are still being forced from their homes, because of conflict.

And, too many children are still wondering where their next meal will come from.

So, we must look at both: the opportunities and the challenges.

And, if we want to do that properly, we need to focus on technology. Which is my second point today.

The digital revolution has changed almost everything about our lives:

How we talk to each other.

How we buy and sell.

How we provide the services that make our societies go around.

And, we do not need to look far, today, to see this in action.

Innovation is blooming, in Kenya’s Silicon Savannah.

Exciting social and commercial start-ups are getting off the ground, in Nigeria.

Here, in Rwanda, people can access doctors and healthcare services on their mobile phones.

This kind of change is happening, throughout the African continent. From moves to launch commercial drone delivery, to the expansion of major companies, like Facebook or Netflix.

And, as I said, when Africa transforms – so, too, does the world outside of the continent.

In fact, innovations, here, have benefited others, far away.

For example, the mobile money service, M-Pesa, was launched in Africa – but has since become a model for digital payments across the world.

The car service, Uber, is piloting new ways of operating in Africa – which could be expanded globally.

And, look at the Kenyan connectivity start-up, called BRCK. It has brought internet to rural areas, as far away as Wisconsin, in the United States.

Here, I want to point something out: None of this was handed to Africa. In fact, in most cases, real vision and leadership was used, to pull these opportunities in.

And, I challenge you all now, to stop and think. And to imagine what else could be achieved, if there was a single digital market?

If the barriers came down.

If integration deepened.

If all the ideas, creativity, innovation and skills on this continent could be shared and pooled more easily.

I believe that the potential is limitless.

Which is why I am glad we are here, to take a step closer to making this a reality.

As my third point, I want to point to a major tool we have, in taking this step: The Sustainable Development Goals.

Our global plan for Sustainable Development – the 2030 Agenda – is not something that can be shelved, to make room for new innovations and trends. Because, in fact, it is there to enable them to take hold.

It has all the ingredients to drive Africa’s technology rise. And to accelerate the single digital market.

Take, for example, the goal on education. If implemented, it will give the next generation of innovators the best chance possible, to transform the world around them.

Or, the goal on infrastructure. This is key to making a single market viable, on the ground.

Or, the goal on access to justice and accountable institutions. This can help to create the environment that investment needs, to be able thrive.

Or, the goal on gender equality. This can empower more women as entrepreneurs, employees, and creators.

The 2030 Agenda states – very explicitly – that young people hold the keys to the future – that they must be the torch bearers, of Sustainable Development.

Very soon – by 2025 – a quarter of the world’s young people will live on this continent. That is why the African Union has committed 1% of its programme budget towards empowering them, as change-makers. And that is why we need to carve out more space.

Every Sustainable Development Goal is a valuable part of our toolbox. Every goal must work towards accelerating Africa’s own vision, outlined in Agenda 2063. And, every goal must be given the financing it needs, to bring about the transformation we designed it for.

Excellencies, dear colleagues,

The single digital market may, now, seem like a dream. And it will not be easy, to realise. There is hard work ahead.

Coming from European Union Member State, I have seen this, first-hand.

But, make no mistake: Africa can do it.

And, it will do it.

This is a continent on the up.

It will continue to rise.

We can either watch it, from the side lines.

Or we can work, in partnership.

And rise together.

Thank you – and good luck in the discussions ahead.