Leapfrogging Possibilities For Sustainable Consumption and ...

Figure 12: Proportion of Children Completing Primary School in 2003 57
Although the basic level of education serves as the foundation for employment of simple
and low-level technologies, lack of advanced technical education and training is a will
hamper the move towards the technological development that is sought.
6.2.3 Lack of institutional capacity
The idea of having different projects of new technologies and new technical systems in
many parts of Africa has not delivered the needed result of economic and social
transformation. The reason, among other things, is the inexistence of institutions that are
robust and capable enough to sustain whatever good intentions or results the projects
bring about. This covers both leadership and technical capacity of institutions
6.2.4 Instability
Many African countries are found in conflict situation that makes a significant part of the
region instable. This instability discourages investments that can catalyze
transformational changes. Peace and stability is the basic infrastructure for economic
development.
6.2.5 Limited purchasing power of consumers
The reason why some countries in Africa have difficulty even to achieve a subsistence
economy is far from a mere shortage of food. Even in areas where there is enough food
the low level of purchasing power of the people makes it difficult for them to have access
to these food. Needless to say these counties no matter how kin for leapfrogging they are
this problem of very low purchasing power will remain to be a challenge for profit-driven
public and private enterprises to venture on new technologies in these countries.
6.2.6 Low level of job creation
Any economy-wide leapfrogging that doesn’t result in job creation in Africa is far from
being sustainable. The livelihood of households can only improve if there is a sufficiently
enough and permanent source of income in the form of new decent jobs created.
57 UNECA (2006)
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