Pan-African Conference on Inequalities in the Context of Structural Transformation

Over 250 participants attended the meeting, representing governments, intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector. During the three days, delegates took part in four thematic dialogues: 

1. African Inequalities in the Global Development Agenda – Past, Present and Future; 
2. Understanding African Inequalities: Structures, Drivers and Determinants; 
3. Lessons in Addressing Inequalities in Africa; 
4. Policy Actions for Tackling Inequalities in Africa.

Each dialogue session comprised of framing speeches and interactive panel sessions on various topics including on: 

• understanding economic, social, political and spatial inequalities; 
• country and regional perspectives on inequality; 
• the importance of statistics for tracking progress and implementation; 
• identifying policy actions; and strategies and political action to promote the new transformational agenda. 

The outcome of the meeting, the Political Statement from the Pan-African Conference on Inequalities in the Context of Structural Transformation, will contribute to the common African position for the post-2015 development agenda. It will also be used to support Agenda 2063, which is the African Union’s (AU) strategy for “the future we want for Africa.” 

The three days of discussion saw lively debate take place, which highlighted the many facets of inequalities, their drivers, and possible actions to combat inequality. Many participants noted that while inequalities are understood, the actions and strategies implemented thus far have had little effect. They underscored the need for effective strategy implementation, and called for instituting robust monitoring and evaluation programmes.

Panel (L-R): Juma Mwapachu, President, Society for International Development; Thandika Mkandawire, London School of Economics; and Nii Moi Thompson, Ghana

The Conference was organized by the Government of Ghana, in partnership with the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, the Danish International Development Agency, the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, the Society for International Development, Third World Network Africa, the UN Children’s Fund, UN Development Programme, UN Economic Commission for Africa, and the UN Millennium Campaign.