“Investing in Africa’s Human and Institutional Capacity”
Speakers:
Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie
Prof. Nnadozie is the current head of the African Capacity Building Foundation, the premier capacity building institution in Africa. He is an educator, economist, professor of economics, author and development expert. His work spans over 20 years in the development sector. Prior to his selection for ACBF, he was Chief Economist and Director of the Macroeconomic Policy Division and before then the Director of the Economic Development and NEPAD Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) which he joined in 2004. At the UNECA, Prof. Nnadozie led the production of the well acclaimed Economic Report on African 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; the Least developed Countries Monitor and the annual Africa MDGs Report for 4 years. He also served as a UN representative at various intergovernmental and continental forums and as coordinator for the UN system-wide support to Africa’s development as well as the focal point for UN/UNECA’s relations with the African Union Commission, NEPAD Secretariat and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Emmanuel Nnadozie has written several books and book chapters which include, among others, African Economic Development. He received higher degrees at the University of Nigeria Nsukka and the Université de Paris 1 Sorbonne.
Prof. Yaw Nyarko
Yaw Nyarko, a native of Ghana, is a Professor of Economics at New York University (NYU) and the founding Director of NYU’s Africa House. He is the Director of the NYU Center for Technology and Economic Development, and also the co-Director of the Development Research Institute. He is the 2009 winner of the BBVA Frontiers in Knowledge Award on Economic Development Cooperation. His research interests are in the area of economic development and theoretical economics. He has worked on models of human capital as engines of economic growth, as well as on the “brain drain” and skills acquisition in the growth process. He is currently engaged in research on technology and economic development. He is the immediate past Vice Provost of New York University with a portfolio which included the oversight and establishment of campuses of NYU in Africa and around the world. Yaw Nyarko received a B.A. from the University of Ghana and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from Cornell University.
About the Organizers:
The African Capacity Building Foundation
Its mission is to build sustainable human and institutional capacity for sustainable growth and poverty reduction in Africa. ACBF’s vision is for Africa to be recognized for its socio-political and economic capabilities and endowments – a continent with effective institutions and policies acquired through sustained investment in people and institutions. The Foundation aims to become a leader, major partner, and center of excellence for capacity building in Africa.
NYU Africa House is an interdisciplinary institute devoted to the study of contemporary Africa, focusing on economic, political, and social issues on the continent and programs in the Arts. Part of Africa House’s core mission is to advance the understanding of the links between Africa and the rest of the world, through the social, historical, economic and other lenses. Related to this, we also have relationships with African immigrant communities in New York City. NYU has a large number of professors and students doing research in the areas of economic development, economic growth and macroeconomics, microfinance, analysis of the effectiveness of foreign aid, politics and political economy, and law and legal institutions. Africa House regularly convenes high-level talks and seminars and has in the past featured African heads of state. We also host policy luncheons and research discussion presentations on focused topics. Our programs take place in New York City and in various capitals in Africa.