Good and inclusive governance is imperative for Africa's future

Among the seven key aspirations listed in Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want1--the African Union's (AU) shared 50-year development and transformation program for realizing the full potential of the continent--one stands out in its interconnectedness: "[a]n Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law"2 [emphasis added]. The key to Africa's political and economic transformation in the next decade is found in this aspiration. Indeed, as former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said, "Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development."Progress on good governance has been encouraging, but challenges remain African countries continue to build on the governance gains that they have achieved since the early 1990s. According to the African Development Bank, good governance should be built on a foundation of (I) effective states, (ii) mobilized civil societies, and (iii) an efficient private sector. The key elements of good governance, then, are accountability, transparency, combating corruption, citizen participation, and an enabling legal/judicial framework.