Sustainable Development Expert Proposes Universal Tax Funding Mechanism For African Education

Professor Jeffry Sachs, director of the Center for the Sustainable Development at Columbia University and president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, has proposed universal taxation as a means to mobilize resources to finance education in Africa.

“Lots of young people educated in Africa move to other countries. That is okay. But there should be a universal tax. Whether the youngster is moved and working in the Middle East, Europe or other countries, then the youngster can pay federal tax to the country where the citizen came from,” said the Professor, during a high-level political dialogue on the Nouakchott Declaration on the sidelines of the 38^th AU Summit.

The theme for the Summit this time around was ‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.’

Africa needs to invest heavily in its education and manpower development, and the finance cannot come from anywhere, he stressed.

“A youngster is educated in Africa and moves to work in Europe. That youngster is educated with African taxes. But the youngster is working and paying tax in Europe. Europe does not pay for education,” said Sachs, who is a well-known American economist and public policy analyst.

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He conceded that the concept would require an entirely new financial framework.

“A new Africa fund for education should be created. This can be undertaken by the African Development Bank, and run by Africa for Africa. Africa needs to mobilize resources to finance its education,” said the Professor.

He wants to see the hypothetical fund put to use in digitizing the education system, providing materials to students, and scaling up education infrastructure.

Educating and training teachers is also essential, stated the Professor.

“I want to see African universities teach and train Africans at a low cost,” said Sachs.

He urged African leaders to prioritize investment in education, infrastructure, and business.

“Africa does not need aid. Africa can borrow and invest today. The debt-to-GDP today does not matter. What matters should be the debt-to-GDP 30 years from now. If Africa manages to grow at least at seven percent annually, it will double its GDP several times in three decades, and be able to pay the debt by then. If invested in the youngsters today, the economic return would be significant after a few decades,” said Sachs.

He also called on African states to unite.

“Each of the 55 African states cannot compete against China, India, EU and others. But if Africa is united as one, Africa can be successful,” said the Professor.

Sachs also sat down with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during his visit to Addis Ababa. A social media post from the PM said the two discussed development-related issues.

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