The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has launched the Africa Poverty Clock, which is a customized version of the world poverty clock that was developed by the World Data Lab.
The poverty clock aims at monitoring progress against extreme poverty in Africa, an aspiration of the United Nations’ first Sustainable Development Goal – SDG1.
The Clock provides real-time poverty estimates till 2030 for the majority of countries around the world.
Speaking at the launch, the ECA Executive Secretary, Vera Songwe said many African countries have achieved remarkable progress over the last six decades.
“We have seen African economies labelled as some of the fastest growing in the world. Africa today is an Africa that has risen and one whose economic autonomy is underway, moving from political independence to economic independence,” she said.
She, however, indicated that African countries rank as some of the worst economic and social indicators. Inequality and poverty remain persistently high, with over 400 million people living in extreme poverty.
Africa is home to 70% of the world’s most poor people and current projections show that all countries of the region are off track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of eliminating extreme poverty by 2030. The achievement of prosperity remains elusive and there is a demand to do better.
“There is a need for bigger and bolder actions to accelerate the pace of sustainable economic growth and development. We need better insights, knowledge and innovative partnerships,” she added.
The launch of the poverty clock was part of the events of the ECA when it was celebrating its 60th Anniversary at a colourful event that took place in Addis Ababa.
According to the World Poverty Clock, poverty in Africa is still a big social and economic challenge in most countries. However, some countries like Mauritania, its declining with the country now on good truck to end poverty by 2030.
The report notes that most countries in East and Central Africa are off the truck on the Sustainable Development Goals target and are not able to hit the 2030 poverty reduction target.
According to the December Poverty Report, Countries like Morocco, Algeria and Egypt are on the good truck towards archiving the UN Goals on ending poverty.
BY SAMUEL NABWIISO
