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KeepingAfrica’s improvedeconomicperformanceon trackStatement at the Twelfth OrdinarySession of the Executive Council of theAfrican UnionAddis Ababa, Ethiopia27 January 2008This meeting is yet another manifestation of Africa’s strong commitmentto seeking regional solutions to transboundary challengesand it is pleasing to note that Africa is making steady progressin this regard. Indeed, concrete efforts to improve the institutionalbasis for regional cooperation and integration are already evident atboth continental and sub-regional levels. Other emerging trends aresimilarly encouraging across economic, political and social sectors.There is clear evidence, for instance, that Africa continues to governitself better in keeping with the aspirations of NEPAD and supportedin many instances by the instrumentality of the African Peer ReviewMechanism. Of course, better governance and increasingly strongerinstitutions do not mean a lack of problems but rather indicate thatdisagreements will be addressed openly and resolved peacefully. Weshould not be discouraged even when there are lapses, but shouldinstead see such occurrences as part of the growing pains of a democraticdispensation.Evidence of improved governance is also reflected in economictrends, where better macroeconomic management has combinedwith high commodity prices and increased private capital flows tosustain improved growth rates. For instance, economic growth in Africaas a region was 5.8% in 2007, which was marginally better thanthe 5.7% achieved in 2006. The challenge therefore is to upscale andIntegrating Africa25