India, Africa to set up monitoring mechanism to fast-track projects

India and Africa have agreed to establish a formal monitoring mechanism to track the implementation of agreed projects and ensure that there is no gap between ideas and action.

The decision was taken at the meeting of African heads of nations at the third India-Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi on October 29. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed the gathering and held discussions with the African leaders on a host of issues. In his closing remarks, Mr Modi said, “We are conscious of the shadow that falls between an idea and action, between intention and implementation. So implementation will be as important as starting projects. We will strengthen our monitoring system. This will include a Joint Monitoring Mechanism with African Union.”

Addressing complaints about project lags, slow disbursal of promised funds, handling of projects by the bureaucracy, the summit decided to have a review mechanism that will help in monitoring the implementation of projects in a time bound manner. Ocean Economy has been recognised as a new area of cooperation, considering that a large section of people are dependent on it.

Modalities of the monitoring mechanism and the detailed Plan of Action will be jointly developed within three months. The next India-Africa Forum Summit will be held in 2020.

Over the last two summits, India had agreed to set up around 100 training institutes encompassing a wide swathe of areas, but only 40 have taken off the ground. The setting up of the monitoring mechanism will hopefully fast-track these projects which could be a game-changer in Africa’s quest for empowerment through skill-building.

India is a leading investor in Africa and is assisting the continent in many capacity building and infrastructure projects. The establishment of the monitoring mechanism will help evaluate and monitor the progress of projects, which have been launched between the two countries. India’s investments in Africa are around USD 50 billion. Some of the leading Indian companies such as Airtel, Tata, Wipro, Mahindra and JSPL are all present in Africa and involved in major projects.

Author Profile

India Writes Network: India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.