Kako Nubupko has stepped down from his role as commissioner of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) to focus on academic pursuits.
The former Togolese minister for forward planning and public policy evaluation speaks with Hichem Ben Yaïche about his recent book Africa and the Rest of the World: From Dependence to Sovereignty and shares his vision for a future centered on agriculture, investment, and effective governance.
How would you describe your experience as Commissioner of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, from which you have just resigned?
After three and a half exciting years at the Commission overseeing agriculture, water resources, and environmental matters, I am returning to academia. To achieve sustainable self-sufficiency, we must produce and consume agricultural goods. The survival of our planet depends on our dedication to conserving natural ecosystems. Therefore, environmental conditions—including both water and air—are fundamentally vital for life.
I served two terms at the Commission. My initial term was from 2009 to 2012, where I led economic analysis and research. We worked on the UEMOA-2020 Vision, strategizing on critical areas. Upon my return, I aimed to implement foundational strategies. I was keenly aware of the urgent issues, particularly regarding the initiatives I launched, which will continue, especially the reassessment of the Commission’s agricultural policy—a crucial topic in light of the resurgence of regional blocs.
What key elements should be emphasized to realize the ‘African dream’?
Five key elements are essential: labor, capital, technological innovation, the quality of governance, and institutional strength.
The recent Business Ready report from the World Bank, released in October, highlights Rwanda as Africa’s top reforming nation. Togo leads West Africa and ranks fifth on the continent economically. However, results significantly vary concerning the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, with some countries making much more progress than others.
These advancements encompass economic success, alongside equitable wealth distribution to ensure that no major demographic is marginalized. From this viewpoint, I see a trend toward a global standardization of issues.
In this context, the neo-liberal globalization model increasingly promotes exclusion. We observed this in Britain with Brexit, in the United States during Donald Trump’s presidency, and similarly in Africa.
For a lengthy period, the welfare state cushioned these exclusions in wealthier nations. However, we are now witnessing a gradual dismantling of the welfare state in the North. Given that Africa has never established a welfare state, now is a crucial time for it to create systems that can effectively manage the societal shocks it encounters.
Which sectors should be prioritized for growth?
I propose three key sectors to focus on: first, agriculture. We have ample land and a youthful populace. There is no reason not to progress in agriculture.
The second initiative involves implementing a Marshall Plan for Africa, which entails significant investments in transition—especially ecological transition.
The third priority is ensuring coherence among the state, territory, and society. Our governance must become more inclusive and focus on accountability. We need to clearly communicate to society how public funds are utilized, the direction we are heading, and foster a collaborative atmosphere where citizens are seen as partners in the journey toward what I call shared prosperity. I would like to reference Professor Joseph Ki-Zerbo at the start of my book: ‘If we lie down, we are dead.’ We must collectively forge pathways to shared prosperity.
How will these factors affect Africa’s success or failure?
The most critical factor is agriculture, particularly the agro-ecological intensification of production systems. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has highlighted that governments cannot maintain subsidies for chemical fertilizers when the cost of a ton of potash has quadrupled in just six months. With 500 million hectares of arable land and a billion young people, leveraging their potential through agriculture can address numerous challenges related to food security, job creation, and reducing import costs. For instance, take Senegal: while the country imports a significant amount of rice, it successfully cultivates it in Casamance!
The second important area is significant investment in ecological transition. Africa is home to the Congo Basin forest, often referred to as the planet’s second ‘lung.’ We must not allow this critical resource to degrade. International cooperation must focus on financing ecological transitions in Africa; this initiative should be viewed not as charity but as investments rooted in environmental solidarity.
Lastly, the third major concern is governance. Current crises indicate we are reaching the limits of the independence consensus, especially the principle of inviolability of borders established during colonial times. In response to jihadist movements, there is an urgent need for territorial reconfiguration. This necessitates a new vision and governance approach, as well as a more localized method of developing solutions. It’s clear that formal democracies are deteriorating globally.
Africa faces internal challenges such as jihadism and trafficking. How can these issues be tackled without substantial resources?
Political scientist Bertrand Badie describes an ‘imported state’. It’s essential to recognize that our states are only about 75 years old!
As a result, these states encounter immense transaction costs due to diverse populations that have not voluntarily united. This situation consumes significant time and energy, and in the face of jihadist threats, even expansive nation-states find themselves with limited financial capability.
There is an urgent need to reconfigure the interaction among the state, territory, and society. Therefore, regional integration driven by military, civilian, and leadership forces becomes vital. This is our primary focus.
How can your ideas be made actionable?
It’s a cultural struggle. Convincing a billion young Africans that they have the power to change their circumstances is no small feat. The first element of success here is building confidence. It’s crucial to remember that colonization’s most profound impact was the ‘inferiorization’ of Africans.
Essentially, the residual mindset is that we are not fully capable of asserting our sovereignty in all domains. I have put considerable effort into clarifying the issues surrounding the CFA currency, demonstrating that we can free ourselves from voluntary servitude by recalling our pre-colonial monetary history.
This is an ongoing struggle. When engaging in such a cultural conflict, three elements must always be considered: vision, governance methodologies, and establishing robust monitoring and evaluation systems. These components are vital. Progress is inherently dynamic, arising from processes rather than static conditions.
We are witnessing a strong call for liberation from Africa’s youth. Their demand to us, as leaders, is to safeguard the common good and to prioritize the general interest. This highlights the challenge we face because we often struggle to articulate reforms. It is crucial to have leaders who are dedicated to the common good and the general interest. They must also excel at communicating reforms and explaining to the youth what is unfolding in their societies.
This is why I discuss the notion of ‘pan-Africanism of withdrawal’ in my book. The initial phase can involve challenging the established order. We must collaborate and co-create with others. Africa is not isolated; interdependent relationships are vital for charting its future, rather than remaining in the dependence that characterized the primary integration of African economies into global trade.
