More trade agreements needed

BY NJOYA TIKUM

A UNDP anti-corruption advisor

I am unimpressed. Obama saw Africa as a second thought and had misguided and disoriented partnerships. There were no trade agreements between Africa and USA under Obama. His focus on trade was in Latin America and Asia but not Africa. Trade Agreements are necessary to allow African petite traders and farmers to attain the same benefit as their competitors in the global north. So in a nutshell, Obama cannot really claim a legacy in Africa beyond YALI.

The next president must clear a route for more trade agreements with African countries such as AGOA, eliminate restriction on subsidies for African farmers, etc. What we should be asking for is leveling of economic playing field for African traders wanting to do business with USA and limited military intervention on the continent. That is the level of engagement that I hope for. Time for handouts have passed as shown by Obama’s approach to Africa.

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Njoya Tikum, a UNDP regional anti-corruption advisor based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, leads UNDP’s efforts to strengthen capacities of African governments and regional organizations to prevent and combat corruption and related development and economic governance challenges in Africa.