Sida is working with regional efforts in Africa to assist various players there with the challenges that many countries share, and to address a need for the co-ordination of efforts between countries. Examples of areas in which Sida is supporting regional efforts include the sustainable use of cross-border natural resources, peace and stability, trade, migration and stopping the spread of infectious diseases.
Close co-operation with African organizations is one of the foundations of Sweden’s efforts to create peace and security. By improving regional organizations’ ability to prevent and handle conflicts, Sida can act as a support and a platform for dialogue that brings countries closer together and contributes towards sustainable regional intervention. The regional players also have an important role in facilitating trade, especially through harmonizing different countries’ regulatory frameworks and reducing obstacles to trade.
Climatic change threatens to increase the pressure on natural resources. It is important to protect the quality of Africa’s many shared water resources and to promote fair and sustainable usage of these. It is equally important to prevent overgrazing and farming in ecologically sensitive areas to stop desertification.
Work to stop the spread of the HIV virus and mitigate the consequences of Aids has long been a priority for Sida. The disease is spreading across national borders, and regional co-operation with prevention and treatment guidelines is therefore necessary to halt the spread of infection.
Sida also provides support to regional research institutions in the region to help further research into this field. This support is also designed to give researchers the opportunity to develop their studies and share their results throughout the entire continent. Most major universities in Africa are part of the regional networks that Sweden supports.
Sida’s most important regional partners
In the 1990s, many regional institutions were created in Africa, with the purpose of addressing common problems on the continent. African leaders regard increased integration on the continent as a necessity in managing and supporting the development of Africa. Regional co-operational organizations with which Sida works include the African Union (AU), the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). These organizations have a vision of – and are working actively to create – peace, welfare and regional integration in Africa. As well as supporting the work at government level and building up these institutions, the civil society plays an important role.
| The AU has a vision of creating an integrated and peaceful Africa, driven by its citizens. It actively works to construct a strong partnership between governments, segments of the civil society, women, young people and the private sector to achieve solidarity and unity among all citizens in Africa. Sida has long been supporting the AU and the main focus for Sweden’s co-operation has been on strengthening its work concerned with: peace and security, democracy and human rights, trade and economic co-operation, as well as institutional capacity building. All African states apart from Morocco are members. |
| The EAC has a vision of a successful, competitive, safe and politically united East Africa. Its goal is to broaden and deepen economic, political and social integration to improve the quality of life of all citizens in East Africa. Principal areas of co-operation between Sweden and the EAC are the Lake Victoria initiative, democracy and human rights work and capacity building. The EAC consists of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. |
| The vision of ECOWAS is to promote co-operation and integration within economic, social and cultural activities, which will eventually lead to the establishment of an economic monetary union with total integration of the member states’ national economies. The principal areas that Sida supports in its co-operation with ECOWAS are conflict prevention, creating economic integration, common infrastructure and sharing natural resources between member states, as well as institutional capacity building. Its members are 15 countries in West Africa. |
| The SADC has a vision of creating a regional society that can ensure economic well-being, improve the standard of living, quality of life, freedom, social justice, peace and security for all citizens in southern Africa. The principal areas that Sida supports are the creation of economic integration, human rights, democracy, gender equality, the fight against HIV/Aids and conflict prevention. The SADC has 15 member states in eastern and southern Africa. |
