Ethiopia: A Census before Elections?

 Ethiopia Insight posted on 1 January 2021  a commentary titled "Before Tallying Votes, We Must Count People" by Worku Burayu, who specializes in Oromo affairs.  

Ethiopia has scheduled national elections for 5 June 2021.  Ethiopia's last census was conducted in 2007.  The author argues that a census must be done before the election takes place to guarantee accurate regional representation.  

The Political Crisis in Ethiopia

The African Studies Association annual conference took place in Washington and included a panel session on 3 December 2016 concerning the current political crisis in Ethiopia. My remarks during the panel dealt with the drivers of the conflict and some thoughts for going forward.

Demographic Future of Africa

The Economist published on 12 December 2015 an excellent article titled "The Young Continent" that looks at the demographic future of Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa is the fastest growing region of the world.  The UN projects Africa's population will reach 4.4 billion by 2100 or 39 percent of the global population.  The article contains a special focus on population growth in Ethiopia. 

The African Century

Politico Magazine published on 5 May 2015 a commentary titled "The African Century" by Noah Millman, journalist and filmmaker.  The author notes that Africa is growing faster than any other region of the world and will reach 2.4 billion people by 2050 and be as populous as all of Asia by the end of the century.  The question is whether this demographic surge will result in triumph or tragedy for Africa. 

Kenya Economic Report 2013

The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis has just released its wide ranging 262 page "Kenya Economic Report 2013."

Global Trends 2030

The U.S. National Intelligence Council released its Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds in December 2012. The intelligence study looks at the likely state of the planet in 2030. There is a brief section devoted to Sub-Saharan Africa; several of its conclusions follow.

Report cover.

The megatrends of population growth without aging, rapid urbanization, and, to some extent, middle class expansion will significantly shape the trajectories of most African countries and at least a few--particularly in the climate change-threatened Sahel and Sahara regions--will be sharply challenged by resource scarcities.

Education will be a game-changer for those African countries that not only offer nominally widespread schooling but ensure that qualified teachers are in classrooms--currently lacking across the continent.

Commodity-exporting countries need to be wary that increased volatility in global markets is probably ahead and will challenge their fiscal viability and stability if they do not work to diversify their economies.

Africa will be at risk of conflict and increased violence as development proceeds unevenly among and within African countries. The Sahel region, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia will be the most vulnerable and challenged to improve governance and resource management.

Click here to access the entire report.