International conference on Export Credit Agencies, debt and African development

An international workshop on Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) and their Role in the Indebtedness and Environmental Degradation of Africa was held at the Djeuga Palace Hotel, Yaoundé, Cameroon on 17 and 18 October 2006. The workshop was initiated and run by the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD), a pan African organisation based in Harare, Zimbabwe. Local support and back up was provided by Cameroonian organisation, Center for the Environment and Development (CED) and the workshop was supported by international advocacy organisations, Both ENDS, ECA-Watch and EURODAD.

The workshop marked the conclusion of a six month process of research into the impact of ECAs on African countries led by AFRODAD, with research being carried out in Cameroon, Nigeria and Zambia.

 

Participants included the researchers, high level government officers working with debt and financing, civil society activists and academics from 11 African countries - Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Lesotho, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Togo, Uganda and Zambia - as well as the United States, Argentina and Europe.

 

As noted in the Opening Session, the success of Africa depends on the ability of its people to debate and critically scrutinise development issues and AFRODAD has been deeply involved in seeking lasting alternatives to Africa's development problems, especially those related to indebtedness. The research and workshop process had broadened AFRODAD's work to encompass environment issues, bringing in new partner organisations and new countries.