Independent; Copperstone University ; Charisma university

Date Written: June 15, 2016 Download this paper

Abstract

After years of neglect, agriculture is once again seizing the attention of African governments, business leaders, communities, and development donors, as a powerful driver of the continent’s relentless growth. Some estimated that Africa’s population will be reaching 2 billion in 2020, with resultant consequences for food security, growing urbanization, and youth unemployment. Therefore, the majority of African countries urgently need to refocus their future agricultural growth strategies. To make things worse, the continent’s agriculture is substantially under-capitalized, with extremely low levels of mechanization and value addition. Some statistics give for the continent an average of 13 tractors for each one hundred square kilometers of arable land compares unfavorably both with the global average (200/100km2 of arable land) and with the average for other developing regions, such as South Asia (129/100km2 of arable land). The same applies to irrigation: sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has only 4% of arable and permanent cropland under irrigation, compared with 39% in South Asia and 11% in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The African agribusiness’s present share of total Gross Domestic Product is very low. Data from the World Bank shows that the value of agribusiness production in Thailand matches that of the entire Sub Saharan Africa region, while that of Brazil is nearly four times the African total. In addition, in two African countries (South Africa and Zimbabwe), agriculture’s share of GDP exceeds that of agribusiness by 10 percentage points, highlighting the region’s failure to add value to farm production. This is surprising for South Africa who has a tradition of high volumes agriculture. This inability to produce and process considerable volumes of agro-industrial commodities stifles the scope for industrialization, and means that these countries are failing to benefit from opportunities to add value and create sustainable jobs. While high-income countries add about US$180 of value by processing one tonne of agricultural products, African countries generate less than US$40. Moreover, while 98% of agricultural production in high-income countries undergoes industrial processing, in African countries less than 30% is processed. Rural areas in African countries have limited agro-processing activity and capacity. Sub Saharan African countries experience large post-harvest losses, especially for perishable commodities such as fruit and vegetables, with post-harvest losses above 50% of total attainable production, with grains losses below 25%.

Although high value and non-traditional agro-industrial production for export provides dynamic and growing market opportunities for some African countries, the most important demand driver in Sub Sahara Africa is the local and regional market. Looking at the demographics and changing consumption habits for food and non-food agricultural products, domestic markets and intra-African trade will remain important, representing more than three-quarters of total African market value, with domestic markets alone constituting 80% of total market value in regions such as East Africa.

Keywords: Agriculture, industries, Africa, growth, transformation, jobs, transformation, business management

Suggested Citation:Kingsly, Professor kelly, Sustainable Growth and Social Development Through Agribusiness Industry (June 15, 2016). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2796348 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2796348

The post Sustainable Growth and Social Development Through Agribusiness Industry appeared first on Head of Finance Operations | Liquidity and debt management| Kelly Kingsly.

Independent; Copperstone University ; Charisma university

Date Written: June 15, 2016 Download this paper

Abstract

The integration vision for an African Economic Community through five geographic regions was recommended by the Abuja Treaty (1991). To streamline the existing multiple blocs in these regions, the African Union identified eight Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in its rationalization drive. The integration vision seeks to attain collective autonomy and contribute to raising the living standards of the population through the expansion of African markets and increased trade between Africa and the world.

According to the Bank Group’s Medium Term Strategy (2008-2012) and Regional Integration Strategy (2009-2012), a Regional Integration Strategy Paper (RISP) will be prepared for the Centre region. Accordingly, the current RISP concerns Central Africa which comprises the ten ECCAS countries: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Gabon, Equatorial Guinea (REG), Sao Tome and Principe (STP) and Chad. The Central Africa is mainly characterized by the Congo Basin (CB) which is home to the world’s second forest and water reserve – one of the lungs of the planet; and a considerable but largely untapped mineral and agricultural potential. This is the least integrated region of the continent. Economically, the Central Africa performed relatively well over the last ten years, with an average growth rate of about 6.2% during the 1999-2009 period, with 7.3% on average in the six oil-producing countries (Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Chad) and 4.7% in other countries. Economic growth in the region, which is above the African average (4.8%), was generally marked by higher exports of crude oil and mining products making it possible to finance non-oil activities. Accordingly, the region’s economy remains vulnerable to external shocks, mainly on account of its heavy dependence on oil production. From the political standpoint, the attainment of mutual understanding and concord between nations, in the spirit of the African Union, is the biggest challenge to regional integration in Central Africa.

In addition, this region is made up of fragile states, landlocked countries, forested countries and sparsely populated MICs. This set-up highlights the relevance of the regional integration process in Central Africa. Weak basic infrastructure compared with the continents other regions is also one of the challenges of this region. Specifically, the inadequate interconnection of national transport networks between Central African countries is an obstacle to economic and physical integration and the development of countries in the region. Similarly, electricity and water supply difficulties impede the emergence of a dynamic and competitive private sector. Conversely, the region has advantages that distinguish it from the rest of the continent. Central Africa’s pivotal and strategic position makes it a potentially preferred transit zone between regions of the continent. The region abounds with huge highly valued oil, mineral and mining resources.

Recently, proven oil reserves in the region are estimated at 31.3 billion barrels, representing 28% of the continents total reserves. Central Africa has a huge agriculture, forestry and hydroelectric power potential. Climatic conditions and the availability of quality arable land favour agricultural development. Finally, the region has the continent largest hydro-electric potential. Actually, the immense water network density accounts for 60% of Africa’ hydropower potential.

Keywords: Regional, Integration, Economic growth, economic transformation, prosperity, Energy, Development

Suggested Citation: Kingsly, Professor kelly, Regional Integration as a Tool for Economic Transformation (June 15, 2016). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2796344 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2796344

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Independent; Copperstone University ; Charisma university

Date Written: February 21, 2016 Download this paper

Abstract

Many emerging markets and most low-income countries require a major step increase in infrastructure investment to alleviate growth constraints, respond to urbanization pressures and meet their crucial goals for inclusive growth, development, and sustainability. There is a well-documented infrastructure deficit in many developing and developed countries, which is hampering growth prospects. Strategic infrastructure, from roads and ports to energy, needs to be built to fuel growth. An estimated 1.4 billion people still have no access to electricity, 0.9 billion are without access to safe drinking water and 2.6 billion without access to basic sanitation. These deficits continue to pose substantial challenges in low-income countries, but there are also pervasive deficits in many middle-income countries. Developing countries need a step-increase in infrastructure build to accelerate economic growth and development. There is extensive evidence that infrastructure development can increase economic growth and reduce levels of inequality. As countries move away from primary economic industries to secondary and tertiary, infrastructure becomes more important.

Keywords: Perspectives on infrastructure, Fragile, economies, development, minding, gap, building the economy

Suggested Citation: Kingsly, Professor kelly, Perspectives of Infrastructure Development in Fragile Economies: Minding the Gap between Infrastructure and Development (February 21, 2016). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2735930 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2735930

The post Perspectives of Infrastructure Development in Fragile Economies: Minding the Gap between Infrastructure and Development appeared first on Head of Finance Operations | Liquidity and debt management| Kelly Kingsly.

Independent; Copperstone University ; Charisma university

Date Written: February 2, 2020 Download this paper

Abstract

Demand and supply still remains the main instrument to determine the role of information and communication technology on gross domestic product and growth.

ICT Abstract: There is an increasing body of research, investigating the determinants of economic growth in China. Most studies have focused on technology results in increase demand for new products and services. This demand on the supply side naturally accounts for increase efficiency in production of services, goods and infrastructure. Knowledge spill overs, triadic patents and researcher-related activities spanning number of publications and people employed in the high-tech sectors. Although increases in innovation stemming from R&D activities are evident, the extent of economic growth is contingent on the market size (IMF reference). This paper investigates the relationship between exogenously-determined growth, proxied by ICT imports, and endogenous drivers of economic growth, by employing ICT exports. The verifies the hypothesis by employing a machine learning approach to Pearson’s correlation and employs the Augmented Dickey Fuller test to test for multicollinearity. The study postulates evidence-based policy recommendations that will facilitate the transition of the Chines economy towards and innovation-driven and consumer led economy.

Keywords: ICT, GDP, GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC GROWTH, FINANCE

Suggested Citation: Kingsly, Professor kelly, Role of Information Communication Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Impact on GDP (February 2, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3530550 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3530550

The post Role of Information Communication Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Impact on GDP appeared first on Head of Finance Operations | Liquidity and debt management| Kelly Kingsly.

Independent; Copperstone University ; Charisma university

Date Written: September 11, 2018 Download this paper

Abstract

The growing spate of corruption, fraud and financial crimes with devastating consequences on companies and national economies has compelled regulatory changes across national, regional and even international boundaries. In fact, the general perception was that such vices were largely an internal event, primarily impacting the organization’s net earnings or earnings per share (EPS). They were not conceived to have a major impact in the way businesses were conducted. Unfortunately, that perception has considerably changed in recent times. Today, the world understands better with organizations knowing that the negative effect of these offences goes beyond the bottom line of any organisation. Basically, these vices serve to attenuate optimum pursuit of organizational goals; they limit organizational ability to economize on scarce resources, including information processing and decision-making capability, in transaction cost terms; they promote information hoarding, opportunism, bounded rationality and distortions. The associated negative publicity of corporate fraud breeds high reputational risks, stifles business prospects, and threatens business survival. These are the core transactional issues on which a comparative assessment of the rise of fraud examination and forensic accounting in Africa turns.

Corruption is rife in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and government agencies which have become a conduit by Government officials, legislators and politicians to divert funds through inflated contracts, bloated staff strength, and overpriced procurement of goods and services. The fraudulent monies would then be laundered into the financial system through concealed deposits in private pseudonym accounts, ‘non-existent corporate’ accounts, purchase of real estate, or donations to political parties, religious bodies and charities involved in the scheme. (Herbert, Tsegba, Ene and Onyilo 2017:2) Nowadays, the audacity of corruption is not just an act of the mind but a deliberate one perpetrated with total disregard for the law and its consequences. As fraudsters have become more dangerously creative with devastating consequences, so has the configuration of fraud investigation become increasingly sophisticated with encouraging results. Forensic accounting, which has evolved to combat the growing rate and economic consequences of fraud and abuse, financial crimes and corruption, encapsulates specialized knowledge and specific skills to stumble up on the evidence of economic transactions. (Joshi, 2003).

Traditional accountants, however effective they may be, are not necessarily forensic accountants. The global economic consequences of recent accounting scandals juxtaposing the increasing spate of fraud and corruption have occasioned new national and international antifraud and anti-money laundering legislations. These have created a huge demand for fraud investigation and forensic accounting work. Increasingly, many professional accountancy firms are establishing specialized fraud examination and forensic accounting units to keep up with the workload. At the same time, organizations and government agencies are finding it difficult to recruit experienced and highly skilled forensic accountants and fraud examiners. (Herbert et al. 2017:5) This last point will be developed in the next paragraph. This paper is addressing the need for forensic accountants with the public finance management reforms. The need and the definition of forensic accounting will be developed. The public financial management is discussed along with various actions for an effective implementation.

Keywords: public finance, management, reforms, forensic accounts, accountability, separation of functions

Suggested Citation: Kingsly, Professor kelly, Forensic Account in Public Finance Management (September 11, 2018). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3247698 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3247698

The post Forensic Account in Public Finance Management appeared first on Head of Finance Operations | Liquidity and debt management| Kelly Kingsly.

Independent; Copperstone University ; Charisma university

Date Written: August 1, 2017 Download this paper

Abstract

Africa has been changing fast over the past fifteen to twenty years. Both the growth performances and the international image of the continent went through surprising U-turns, from widespread stagnation and pessimism to unprecedented progress and new prospects. The turnaround of economic performances began as early as the mid-1990s and led to a number of sub-Saharan countries achieving record growth rates for the better part of the following decade. In spite of the profound changes underway in sub-Saharan Africa, social, political and economic continuities were also bound to affect and challenge the region’s trajectory. Africa remains the poorest continent in the world, the vulnerability of its people regularly exposed, (Carbone, 2017) what future for an emerging Africa? Can we predict an emerging Africa by 2030 or 2050? According to Godet and Roubelat (1996), all who claim to foretell or forecast the future are inevitably liars, for the future is not written anywhere – it is still to be built. This is fortunate, for without this uncertainty; human activity would lose its degree of freedom and its meaning, the hope of a desired future. If the future were totally foreseeable and certain, the present would become unlivable. Certainty is death. Because the future has to be built, it also cannot be conceived as a simple continuation of the past. Good forecasts are not necessarily those which are realized, but those which lead to action so as to avoid the dangers and arrive at the desired objective. The future is multiple and several potential futures are possible; the path leading to this or that future is not necessarily unique. The description of a potential future and of the progression towards it comprises a scenario.

Keywords: africa, growth, finance, development, emerging, transformation, growth

Suggested Citation: Kingsly, Professor kelly, The Future of an Emerging Africa (August 1, 2017). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3012088 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3012088

The post The Future of an Emerging Africa appeared first on Head of Finance Operations | Liquidity and debt management| Kelly Kingsly.

Independent; Copperstone University ; Charisma university

Date Written: November 8, 2017 Download this paper

Abstract

A review of the leadership literature provides one with a plethora of definitions and theories, all of which are defined or propounded to suit the perception of the authors who suggested them, or as descriptions of the leadership landscape that existed during certain eras or periods of human life. This dynamism or unsettling nature of discourses on the concept of leadership may be attributed to the dynamic nature of the concept itself. The construct of leadership, as a determining factor to the realization of collective goals fueled by man’s insatiable needs dictated by changes in time and also its interaction with a wide range of entities (individuals, assets and community) with different demands and behaviors must always seek to catch up to ensure its relevance, hence, its dynamic nature. Therefore, an attempt to hazard a definition that comprehensively captures or encapsulates what leadership is about would be an exercise in futility. However, an examination of the various theories (with a greater focus on Africa and contemporary ones) that have emerged on leadership provides some foundation to its understanding and appreciation. Older theories on leadership looked at the concept on a wide spectrum. Some of these theories personalized the concept looking at it as a role only attainable by individuals born with certain innate qualities or personal characteristics – Great Man and Trait theories. Some also looked at it considering the behaviors or the actions exhibited by individuals in such leadership roles – Behavioral theory. Finally, also others looked at it as a process that is context-specific in nature – Situational and Contingency theories. However, these theories suffered several flaws as they solely focused on the role of the individual (leader) in achieving set organizational goals, neglecting the importance of the contributions of followers and the need for enhanced relationship between leaders and followers for effectiveness in goal attainment, hence, leading to the emergence of newer theories that were more ideal and effective.

Cooper and Nirenberg (2012: 1) looked at leadership effectiveness from two perspectives: one looked at the perception of leadership effectiveness from a small social group perspective, while the other looked at it from a larger social group perspective (political arena) with complex structures. According to Cooper and Nirenberg, effective leadership within the small social group perspective would mean the successful exercise of personal influence by one or more people that result in accomplishing shared objectives in a way that is personally satisfying to those involved.

Keywords: emerging leadership, sustainable development, challenges, economic bail out, transformation

Suggested Citation: Kingsly, Professor kelly, Leadership at the Heart of the African Sustainable Development Agenda: What Kind of Leadership in Amidst Economic Challenges (November 8, 2017). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3067186 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3067186

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Independent; Copperstone University ; Charisma university

Date Written: June 12, 2016 Download this paper

Abstract

Electricity is a major source of energy in all sectors of an economy, that is, the military, home, industrial, education, commerce and agricultural sectors in a given country. The role of power/energy in economic transformation cannot be over-emphasized. Centuries before the discovery of electric light, kingdoms and empires depend on a source of energy/power to power great establishment and businesses. As important as electricity in powering industrial and economic development, many developing countries are facing power shortage problems (Morimoto and Hope, 2001). An adequate and regular power supply may be one of the most crucial factors which supports economic growth in developing countries. In a related study on the relationship between electricity usage and economic development, Ferguson, Wilkinson, and Hill (2000) posit that, there is a strong correlation between electricity use and economic development.

The level of development in sub-Sahara Africa could be attributed to availability of stable and clean electricity supply. It is widely acknowledged that Sub-Saharan Africa is in the midst of a power crisis (Eberhard et al., 2008; UN 2007). Outages are not just frequent and long but also erratic in most countries in Africa. In the midst of potential to generate energy in sub-Sahara Africa, many problems have bedeviled the region in attaining economy transformation.

Keywords: Power, Energy, development, financing, economic growth, sustainable energy

Suggested Citation: Kingsly, Professor kelly, Moving from Economic Growth to Transformation Through Energy and Power (June 12, 2016). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2794519 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2794519

The post Moving from Economic Growth to Transformation Through Energy and Power appeared first on Head of Finance Operations | Liquidity and debt management| Kelly Kingsly.

Independent; Copperstone University ; Charisma university

Date Written: June 3, 2019 Download this paper

Abstract

Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), public-private partnerships have become even more prominent. In simple terms, the Agenda is a plan of action for prosperity that seeks to strengthen universal peace and freedom by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions. Further, the Agenda requests all stakeholders to act collaboratively in partnership for sustainable development. UN agenda is a plan of action for ‘people, planet, and prosperity.’ The 17 Goals cover all crucial policy areas to secure a sustainable future, including education, health, economic development, social protection, environmental protection, and natural resources governance. The 17 goals are operational in 169 targets which need to be reached by 2030 or earlier. The SDGs build on the Millennium Development Goals and aim to complete what these Millennium Development Goals did not achieve. The main difference between the Millennium Development Goals implemented from 2000 till 2015 and the Sustainable Development Goals launched in 2015 is that the former were mainly targeted to governments while the latter attempts to target many different stakeholders including the private sector. Therefore, a shift in approach between the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals is the recognition that policy objectives are best achieved by involving and integrating private actors in the policy process.

It must be recognized that Various actors have used Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for sustainable development as a mechanism of operation during the last three decades. It is viewed as a shift in the public management way of doing business. Even if there are many types of PPP as depicted in the below figure 1, the above move is explained by the shift from ‘public management’ to ‘public governance,’ signaling that governments are no longer the only providers of public policy but increasingly engage private actors. (Rosenau, 1995:13)

Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Public Private Partnership , Investment, Finance

Suggested Citation: Kingsly, Professor kelly, Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Private Partnership (June 3, 2019). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3398429 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3398429

The post Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Private Partnership appeared first on Head of Finance Operations | Liquidity and debt management| Kelly Kingsly.

Independent; Copperstone University ; Charisma university

Date Written: August 21, 2020 Download this paper

Abstract

After years of neglect, agriculture is once again seizing the attention of African governments, business leaders, communities, and development donors, as a powerful driver of the continent’s relentless growth. Some estimated that Africa’s population will be reaching 2 billion in 2020, with resultant consequences for food security, growing urbanization, and youth unemployment. Therefore, the majority of African countries urgently need to refocus their future agricultural growth strategies. To make things worse, the continent’s agriculture is substantially under-capitalized, with extremely low levels of mechanization and value addition. Some statistics give for the continent an average of 13 tractors for each one hundred square kilometres of arable land compares unfavorably both with the global average (200/100km2 of arable land) and with the average for other developing regions, such as South Asia (129/100km2 of arable land). The same applies to irrigation: sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has only 4% of arable and permanent cropland under irrigation, compared with 39% in South Asia and 11% in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The African agribusiness’s present share of total Gross Domestic Product is very low. Data from the World Bank shows that the value of agribusiness production in Thailand matches that of the entire Sub Saharan Africa region, while that of Brazil is nearly four times the African total. In addition, in two African countries (South Africa and Zimbabwe), agriculture’s share of GDP exceeds that of agribusiness by 10 percentage points, highlighting the region’s failure to add value to farm production. This is surprising for South Africa who has a tradition of high volumes agriculture. This inability to produce and process considerable volumes of agro-industrial commodities stifles the scope for industrialization and means that these countries are failing to benefit from opportunities to add value and create sustainable jobs.

While high-income countries add about US$180 of value by processing one tonne of agricultural products, African countries generate less than US$40. Moreover, while 98% of agricultural production in high-income countries undergoes industrial processing, in African countries less than 30% is processed. Rural areas in African countries have limited agro-processing activity and capacity. Sub Saharan African countries experience large post-harvest losses, especially for perishable commodities such as fruit and vegetables, with post-harvest losses above 50% of total attainable production, with grains losses below 25%.

Keywords: Agrobusiness, Finance, Jobs, Sustainable Growth, Economic Transformation, Business Management

Suggested Citation: Kingsly, Professor kelly, Sustainable Growth and Economic Transformation through Agribusiness Industry Introduction (August 21, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3678740 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3678740

The post Sustainable Growth and Economic Transformation through Agribusiness Industry Introduction appeared first on Head of Finance Operations | Liquidity and debt management| Kelly Kingsly.