News & Events

27 February 2014, Florence

COEURE - COoperation for EUropean Research in Economics - is a project intended to bring together the key stakeholders in the European economic research space - scientists from the different strands of economic research in Europe, economic policy makers, and funders of economic research - and which, by a process of stocktaking, consultation and stakeholder involvement, is aimed to formulate an Agenda for Research Funding for Economics in Europe.

According to a blog post by the Guardian, US falls 13 places in development rankings once inequality in society is taken into account – while sub-Saharan Africa ranks second only to south Asia for average growth.

                                                                          Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Foreign aid is often seen as different from other forms of investment, and some argue that rather than having a positive effect it tends to distort economies and may potentially slow growth and development.

According to an article published on The African Business Review, there is an increasing international perception that Africa is standing now at a turning point. It has become one of the world’s top growth areas (5.6% per annum) thanks to the structural reforms being put in place and its demographic dividend for the next 40 years.

In sub-Saharan Africa, costly access to technology, a low skills base and unfavourable business conditions are among the chief obstacles.

Can Digitization Kick-Start Growth?
For those who lag behind, the incentives for digitization remain strong. An analysis by Booz & Company has found that ICT could help lift millions out of poverty.

 A new infographic by global investment management firm T. Rowe Price titled “Africa: A Story of Growth“ highlights key growth factors that suggest many African nations are now serious world players. As the firm points out, Sub-Saharan Africa weathered the global recession of 2008-09 relatively well due to the lack of business ties to Europe and the United States. Still, the authors are just as quick to mention how African growth is starting from a low base. In fact, Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP is equivalent to Australia – but with 50x as many people.