'Strong governance, ethics sacrosanct'
Africa's policies and politics need to change, Namibia's mines and energy minister says.
Governments in Africa still need to do far more to strengthen the culture of governance, ethical and professional leadership, mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo has told investors in Canada.
Delivering the opening address at a breakfast meeting of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business in Toronto on Tuesday, Alweendo said: “As elected political representatives we can no longer rely solely on political rhetoric and sloganeering to win elections.”
“The African electorate is increasingly educated, worldly, understand and expect that elected political office bearers must provide the leadership that will enable smart investment that delivers win-win outcomes,” Alweeno said. Alweendo is attending the MineAfrica's 18th Annual Investing in African Mining Seminar which forms part of the convention of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC). The minister urged investors to follow an approach of shared economic benefits, where they and the community in which they operate enjoy returns. A significant part of his speech also elaborated on what “governments must bring to the party, if we want greater investment that meet the aspirations of our local communities”.
Eroding trust
“It stands in every investment book that investors need safety and security, predictability of the legislative environment, protection of assets and the ability to repatriate assets and dividends”, Alweeno said.
“In the 21st century, doing these things gives you very small, if any, competitive advantage. Doing these things is the very bare minimum of any government seeking to attract investment,” he said.
Alweendo continued that strong governance structures and ethical conduct - at all times among front line officials, senior executives and political leaders – “must become sacrosanct”.
The trouble with unethical leadership is that it erodes public trust, Alweendo continued.
“It undermines the mandate to govern that the electorate bestows on politicians. It also harms the businesses and the enterprises expected to operate in an environment where good governance is not adhered to,” he said.
Doing business
Africa's economies will grow much faster and sustainably once all regressive obstacles from doing business on the continent have been dismantled and eliminated, the minister said.
The mining fraternity has been a key partner in Africa's development. “It is incumbent upon all of us to leverage this historic partnership to usher in a new order of shared growth and shared prosperity,” he said. Africa's policies and politics need to change, Alweendo said. “It is now so important for us as elected political officials on the African continent to ensure that our policies on extractive industries address the two most topical current themes of global commerce – namely the license to operate and sustainability.”
Alweendo said he was “keen to hear from current and prospective investors in Namibia”.
“How can I help you? What can I do to enhance your investment experience in Namibia, and if you are thinking about investing in Namibia, or Africa – what can I tell you or do to convince you?” he concluded.
Jo-Maré Duddy –
Delivering the opening address at a breakfast meeting of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business in Toronto on Tuesday, Alweendo said: “As elected political representatives we can no longer rely solely on political rhetoric and sloganeering to win elections.”
“The African electorate is increasingly educated, worldly, understand and expect that elected political office bearers must provide the leadership that will enable smart investment that delivers win-win outcomes,” Alweeno said. Alweendo is attending the MineAfrica's 18th Annual Investing in African Mining Seminar which forms part of the convention of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC). The minister urged investors to follow an approach of shared economic benefits, where they and the community in which they operate enjoy returns. A significant part of his speech also elaborated on what “governments must bring to the party, if we want greater investment that meet the aspirations of our local communities”.
Eroding trust
“It stands in every investment book that investors need safety and security, predictability of the legislative environment, protection of assets and the ability to repatriate assets and dividends”, Alweeno said.
“In the 21st century, doing these things gives you very small, if any, competitive advantage. Doing these things is the very bare minimum of any government seeking to attract investment,” he said.
Alweendo continued that strong governance structures and ethical conduct - at all times among front line officials, senior executives and political leaders – “must become sacrosanct”.
The trouble with unethical leadership is that it erodes public trust, Alweendo continued.
“It undermines the mandate to govern that the electorate bestows on politicians. It also harms the businesses and the enterprises expected to operate in an environment where good governance is not adhered to,” he said.
Doing business
Africa's economies will grow much faster and sustainably once all regressive obstacles from doing business on the continent have been dismantled and eliminated, the minister said.
The mining fraternity has been a key partner in Africa's development. “It is incumbent upon all of us to leverage this historic partnership to usher in a new order of shared growth and shared prosperity,” he said. Africa's policies and politics need to change, Alweendo said. “It is now so important for us as elected political officials on the African continent to ensure that our policies on extractive industries address the two most topical current themes of global commerce – namely the license to operate and sustainability.”
Alweendo said he was “keen to hear from current and prospective investors in Namibia”.
“How can I help you? What can I do to enhance your investment experience in Namibia, and if you are thinking about investing in Namibia, or Africa – what can I tell you or do to convince you?” he concluded.
Jo-Maré Duddy –
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