February 15, 2014
Thought of the day
" I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances"
NELSON MANDELA
April 24, 2012
Thought of the day
The
co-evolutionary dynamics of technology and institutions.
Technological innovation is not the only source of
economic transformation, but its importance will increase over time. The report
rejects the view that technology determines socioeconomic change, but it notes
the co-evolution between technical change and social adjustment. It
therefore stresses the importance of aligning structures of governance with
development goals and the associated technological missions. While specific
strategies may vary across countries, most of the institutional measures needed
to promote technological innovation are similar. This is not to suggest that
the relations between technological change and institutional adjustment are
deterministic. To the contrary, the report underscores the fact that building a
knowledge-based economy in developing countries will require the creation of
governance structures that reflect the co-evolutionary dynamics of technology
and institutions.
Page 17 (16) In Innovation: Applying Knowledge In
Development. Available at http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/documents/Science-complete.pdf
March 02, 2011
Thought of tha Day
The need for a tracking tool for measuring the impact of ICT on development
While there are many examples of the transformational impact of ICT, there is still much debate about how and to what extent its application relates to the achievement of social goals and economic growth. There is considerable interest in identifying ways of measuring the socioeconomic impacts of ICT and its potential contributions to the implementation of the Goals.
Anecdotal claims about the impact of ICT on development need to be accompanied by strong conceptual and methodological foundations. Toward that end, the United Nations’ ICT Task Force is working on defining precisely how ICT can be used to further achievement of basic development objectives. Building on the foundation provided by the Goals and the indicators already developed by the United Nations, the task force is conducting a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the role of ICT in supporting each of the Goals. This exercise will identify a series of ICT-specific targets and suggest possible indicators for measuring progress.
The overall objective is to design a progress-tracking tool that could be used to illustrate how ICT can help meet each of the Goals. [1]
By 2006, the Biotech tropicana Systems developed an ICT based HIV data management database project, for the Benin government. The Biotech tropicana Systems is awaiting implementation of the government public HIV database to assess its impact on the fight against HIV/AIDS in Benin.
Meanwhile, the Biotech tropicana Systems is in the process of developing an ICT based private HIV database, for the management of its own HIV data. [2] An impact assessment tool is being developped as part of the development of the Biotech tropicana HIV Database project.
References :
February 13, 2011
Development: A New Millennium Definition Perspective
First, we’re changing how we define development. For too long, we’ve measured our efforts by the dollars we spent and the food and medicines that we delivered. But aid alone is not development. Development is helping nations to actually develop -- moving from poverty to prosperity. And we need more than just aid to unleash that change. We need to harness all the tools at our disposal -- from our diplomacy to our trade policies to our investment policies.
Second, we are changing how we view the ultimate goal of development. Our focus on assistance has saved lives in the short term, but it hasn’t always improved those societies over the long term. Consider the millions of people who have relied on food assistance for decades. That’s not development, that’s dependence, and it’s a cycle we need to break. Instead of just managing poverty, we have to offer nations and peoples a path out of poverty.
Now, let me be clear, the United States of America has been, and will remain, the global leader in providing assistance.....But the purpose of development -- what’s needed most right now -- is creating the conditions where assistance is no longer needed. So we will seek partners who want to build their own capacity to provide for their people. We will seek development that is sustainable.
Barack OBAMA, For The United States Global Development Policy.
Available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/22/remarks-president-millennium-development-goals-summit-new-york-new-york . Accessed February 13, 2011.
Many of the old models of economic development assistance are outdated. Money that is not accompanied by legal and economic reform are oftentimes wasted. Today, I call for a new compact for global development, defined by new accountability for both rich and poor nations alike. Greater contributions from developed nations must be linked to greater responsibility from developing nations. The United States will lead by example. We will increase our development assistance by $5 billion over the three — over the next three budget cycles. These funds will go into a new Millennium Challenge Account. The goal is to provide people in developing nations the tools they need to seize the opportunities of the global economy. In return for this additional commitment, we expect nations to adopt the reforms and policies that make development effective and lasting. The world’s help must encourage developing countries to make the right choices for their own people, and these choices are plain. Good government is an essential condition of development. So the Millennium Challenge Account will reward nations that root out corruption, respect human rights, and adhere to the rule of law.
George W. BUSH, For the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation
Available at . Accessed February 13, 2011
The Biotech tropicana Community program is designed to help the poor of the developing world, help themselves, by building capacity, providing training, and by including the poor in the design process of the programs, so as to in long term, help the poor free themselves from a chronic dependency on international aid, and create grounds for a development that is "effective and lasting".
Biotech tropicana Community program is a strict departure forom the "old way" development apporoaches, proven "counterproductive". We urge partisans of the "old way" NOT TO consider aby form of collaboration with Biotech tropicana Community, or any other entity of the Biotech tropicana Systems. However, we stay stay open to partisans of the old way, who are willing to make the necessary transition from old to new way development approaches.
Aboubakar YARI & Venus YARI
For the Biotech tropicana Systems.
Available at http://btcommunity.ucoz.com/ . Accessed February 13, 2011.
December 3, 2010
Microfinance in the developing world: An Analysis from a Sub Saharan African perspective
The systemic approach to poverty reduction toward sustainable development, pioneered in the Biotech tropicana Systems, is extended to Biotech tropicana, Inc Micro Financial, as applied to technology transfer
« Microfinance is not a panacea for poverty and related development challenges, but rather an important tool in the mission of poverty eradication. Poverty is a multidimensional problem, embedded in a complex and interconnected political, economic, cultural, and ecological system. Owing to poverty's large scope and multiplicity of actors, there is no single guaranteed approach to its eradication. Within this system, solutions are as multifaceted as the causes. Such a ‘systems’ perspective is critical in creating an enabling environment for sustainable poverty eradication. Problems and solutions are not isolated phenomena, but occur within an interconnected system in which actors and actions have reciprocal consequences. Consequently, poverty eradication is a complex mission and requires commitment, cooperation, and cohesion at all levels of development – individual, household, community, national, and global…As microfinance becomes more widely accepted and moves into the mainstream, the supply of services to the poor may likewise increase, improving efficiency and outreach, while lowering costs. This, in turn, can have a multiplier effect on people's standard of living. Perhaps the greatest contribution of microfinance is that it empowers people, providing them with confidence, self-esteem, and the financial means to play a larger role in their development. The potential of microfinance far exceeds the micro-level, scaling-up to address macro-problems associated with poverty eradication. »
REF 1.
References :
[1] NO AUTHOR. Considered for relevance of analysis. Available at, pages 4-5. Accessed on the web on December 3, 2010 at http://www.un.org/esa/africa/microfinanceinafrica.pdf . Electronic copy available at ayari@webmail.co.za
[2] Biotech tropicana,Inc Micro Financial at http://btfinancial.ucoz.com/
December 2, 2010
Infrastructure challenges and development in the resource-poor settings
"The challenge of infrastructure for the science, technology, and innovation community is to identify and implement the infrastructure services needed to achieve the Goals.
The challenge for policymakers is to undertake infrastructure development in a manner that not only promotes equity, efficiency, participatory decisionmaking, sustainability, and accountability but develops domestic capabilities in science, technology, and innovation as well (DFID 2002)".
Uk Department for International Development (DFID) for the United Nations Development Goals (UN MDG)
Accessed December 2, 2010
November 28, 2010
New Millennium, New Development Agenda
At the turn to the new millennium in 2000, at the United Nations Millennium SUMMIT, 189 Head of States and Governments set a new political agenda for development. Soon after, the scientifc authority followed.
The scientific report states in part :
« The UN Millennium Project is an independent advisory body commissioned by the UN Secretary-General to propose the best strategies for meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs are the world’s targets for dramatically reducing extreme poverty in its many dimensions by 2015—income poverty, hunger, disease, exclusion, lack of infrastructure shelter—while promoting gender equality, education, health, and environmental sustainability.The UN Millennium Project is directed by Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on the Millennium Development Goals. The bulk of its analytical work has been carried out by 10 thematic task forces comprising more than 250 experts from around the world, including scientists, development practitioners, parliamentarians, policymakers, and representatives from civil society, UN agencies, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the private sector. The UN Millennium Project reports directly to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and United Nations Development Programme Administrator Mark Malloch Brown, in his capacity as Chair of the UN Development Group ».
Reference 1, page 2.
The scientific task forces established a diagnosis of poverty in the developing world and recommended strategies to reversing extreme poverty toward sustainable development, to obiviate the ever widening circle of negative economic growth. The task forces aslo predicted that cells of partisans of the « old way » from both the developing and developed nations that profit from maintaining poverty may resist the new rules (adverse geoplitics, ref 2). Works of the Biotech tropicana Systems in the developing world confirmed those predictions to be true.
Here we want to make clear, that we welcome cooperation. However, all parties must learn to play according to the rules, the new applicable rules set forth by the authority. If they can not play according to the rules, then they can not play at all. Because here, the rules applied strictly. If they can not play according to the rules, then they must pack out, and go back where they come from. They can comeback anytime after they learn the rules of cooperation. (point 8, UN MDG). The Biotech tropicana Systems are here in the developing, now and forever. This ever widening circle of negativity in development MUST COME TO AN END.
Aboubakar YARI & Venus YARI
References :
[1] Investing in Development : A Pratical Plan To Achieve The Millennium Development Goals at http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/documents/MainReportComplete-lowres.pdf
[2] Ending Africa’s Poverty Trap at http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/documents/BPEAEndingAfricasPovertyTrapFINAL.pdf
November 18, 2010
Biotech tropicana Community, « a Center of Excellence ».
The Biotech tropicana FORUM released a thought on the day of November 16, 2010, to higlight some features of the structural challenges facing developing countries Microfianance systems, through a synthesis from the World Bank and the UK Department for International Development (DFID).
Biotech tropicana,IncMICRO FINANCIAL , an online microfinance model system for the resource-poor settings, under incubation in the Biotech tropicana,IncEXPLORER incubator, is a two level-system designed to address financing needs for a first level early stage process and technology innovations, and a second level micro entreprise development process, for the resource-poor communities. The Biotech tropicana Community Project is a « center of knowledge transfer » in support for development of the resource-poor settings. The thought of this day demonstrates that the United States Congress supports our model.
US CONGRESS on the World Bank IDA Funding to Microfinance
Since 2003, the U.S. Congress has urged the World Bank to increase resources to support financial access for the very poor. In December 2008, Reps. Holt and Carter and Sens. Enzi and Brown initiated letters, signed by 93 representatives and 21 senators, to World Bank President Zoellick suggesting the following initiatives to increase financial access for the poor and marginalized:
• A flexible grant facility of $200 million per year to build the capacity of microfinance service providers to reach the very poor.
• "Centers of Excellence" to encourage cross-learning and best practices dissemination on how to reach the very poor and with microfinance services.
• A sub-Saharan Africa funding mechanism to help enable microfinance service providers that focus on the very poor access capital.
In February and August 2009, the Bank responded to the December 2008 Senate and House letters.
The Bank noted that it was seriously considering all of the proposals and was working to move forward on them by the end of the year, yet to-date progress has stalled. This is an initiative that deserves on-going conversation with the World Bank and with the Treasury Department.
This project is today a reality at both the level of the authority as demonstrated by the World Bank and DFID, and on the ground through the Biotech tropicana Community Center, a member of the Biotech tropicana,IncGROUP. www.btcommunity.ucoz.com
See also The Microfinance Capacity Building Act of 2009, H.R. 1987. Available at
November 16, 2010
On November 14, 2010 The Biotech tropicana Systems announced its MICRO FINANCIAL program aiming to develop an online funding mechanism model tailored to the resource-poor settings, for process and technology innovations .
The thought of the day highlights some of the microfinance challenges facing developing countries.
A synthesis from the World Bank and the UKaid Department for International development (DFID)
The Demand for Microfinance
« Lack of access to quality financial services is a key constraint to economic growth, private sector development and poverty reduction in many African countries. Across World Bank investment climate surveys, African businesses rated both the cost of finance and access to finance as a greater obstacle to business operations and growth than firms in other regions. Finscope surveys for seven Eastern and Southern African countries document the large segments of society that lack access to any type of financial services. Banks are inaccessible to most people in many African countries due to stringent and often complex requirements to open accounts, high transaction costs, and their focus on a more upscale market of clients, corporate accounts and trade finance. Point 2.
Capacity issues have been consistently identified as key impediments to strong institutional performance of microfinance institutions in SSA. Despite the increased perceptions of microfinance risk due to the economic crisis, such as threats to funding and liquidity, it is internal/institutional issues which continue to dominate in African microfinance, namely weaknesses in governance, management and staffing. Management quality has been continuously ranked as a top risk to microfinance operations in SSA. The limited supply of skilled credit officers, as well as accounting, audit and technology professionals also constrains institutional growth. Although African microfinance institutions out-perform their peers in other regions with respect to their ability to mobilize deposits, their capacity to develop other types of financial services, such as insurance and payments and even appropriate loan products, is relatively limited. Only about 36 percent of African microfinance institutions have a formal Management Information System (MIS), and these are often inadequate for their growing operations. Point 8.
Despite encouraging trends in growth and performance, CGAP’s recent Africa Microfinance Analysis and Benchmarking Report notes that "microfinance in Africa continues to face many challenges with low penetration rates and high operational costs." The majority of MFIs in the region are faced with significant operational challenges and will need to seek new cost effective models to scale up, serve more clients, and offer financial services adapted to the market. A number of African MFIs are profitable, for example, ACSI of Ethiopia and Equity Bank had Returns on Equity of 28 and 22 percent respectively as of year-end 2007. However, the performance of microfinance institutions in SSA, with respect to portfolio quality, profitability and efficiency, lags behind global averages. Unlike in any other region, the average return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) for an African MFI are negative.» Point 6.
September 29, 2010
Adverse Geopolitics,
A structural challenge promoting Africa’s poverty trap.
On top of the structural challenges already mentioned, Africa suffered brutally at the hands of European powers for almost five centuries, and the record with Arab powers was little better. A massive slave trade helped undermine the formation of nation-states and may have depopulated Africa’s coastal regions. In the nineteenth century the slave trade was replaced by direct colonial rule and a century of exploitation by European imperial powers. At the end of the colonial period, most of Africa was left with tragically little infrastructure and education, far less than in postcolonial Asia. In contrast to much of Asia, Africa’s borders were drawn up without regard to ethnic and political units, with little infrastructure connecting them. In addition, differences in colonial languages and customs further fragmented many parts of Africa, particularly in West Africa. Independence, ironically, was followed by the continued manipulation of African countries as proxies in the cold war and continued depredations by rich countries in exploiting Africa’s natural resources. No doubt many African leaders played into these abuses and exacerbated them through corrupt and authoritarian rule, but if it is true that these leaders hanged themselves and their fellow citizens, the rich countries often provided the rope.
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