Nothing less than helping Nigeria to become… a world power - Interview with David Macrae, EU Ambassador

David Macrae, a British national, was appointed Ambassador of the  European Union’s  delegation to Nigeria in May 2010. An economist and specialist in agricultural science, after working at the European Commission Brussels headquarters on cooperation with ACP countries, he acted as Permanent Representative of the EU with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).   In his earlier career, Ambassador Macrae was also economics advisor to the British government and went on to teach economics at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. Ambassador Macrae spoke to the Courier about the main themes of European cooperation with Nigeria, analyzing of the country’s economic and political potential on both an African and global scale.  

Interview

David Macrae – The aftermath of the elections, is a very special moment in Nigeria’s history. As regards the cooperation between this country and the EU, 2010 was the year when the projects under the 10th EDF began to be implemented, since the Strategy Document for the country and the national indicative plan were signed only in November 2009. In spite of this, 84% of the total of €677M allocated  has already been earmarked.

The sum under the 10th EDF while significant in itself represents less than 1% of the country’s total budget. The aid we provide is therefore limited in the context of the needs of a country with a population of more than 140 million inhabitants, out of which 60% live below the poverty line. This is, of course, yet more reason to use the money advisedly, in sectors where its added value can be maximized.  

HG – What are the priority areas for cooperation between the EU and Nigeria?

DM – First of all, governance, to help the country set up a legal and institutional framework strong enough to allow it to make better use of its resources than in the past. Ever since its independence, back in October 1960, Nigeria has had to face up to the challenge of unifying a divided nation with a coastal region where living conditions are better than in the rest of the country. War and military dictatorship then followed, until the establishment of democracy with the 1999 elections. Even then, it was not until 2009 that a long-standing war in the Niger Delta area came to an end, or at least ran out of steam. , In addition, the level of corruption is high, mainly because of the weakness of the systems for controlling it.  

We have provided a great deal of support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), providing it with computer equipment and some of the required expertise. This aid has contributed to the recovery by the State of $11bn, nine of which came from financial institutions involved in money laundering. The role of politicians has also been examined, such as that of a former governor of Delta State, who was arrested and extradited from Dubai at the United Kingdom’s request and had to return some $US500M.

Nigeria is experiencing serious problems with the provision of basic services like education, health and electricity. A year ago, the president made this issue and solving the conflict in the Niger Delta his main priorities, along with the holding of fair elections. The EU was the source of significant aid in the run-up to the elections, which were faced with a number of threats. The year 2010 had started with the death of the incumbent president and the swearing in of the vice-president, Goodluck Jonathan, in peaceful circumstances. The elections held in the wake of these events were won by Jonathan, and were far better organized than the three preceding elections that had taken place since the end of the military regime. The INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission), headed by the academic and figure from civil society, Attahiru Jega, enjoys a well-founded reputation for integrity. The European Union provided important support both to the INEC and on a wider scale, to ensure that the elections were adequately resourced.  

HG – Did these successful elections lead to increased optimism, both in the country itself and on the part of its backers?

DM – Yes. The president’s agenda seems to enjoy widespread support. There is a feeling of hope, but a lot of expectations too. We cannot say that everything is perfect just yet. Public administration must be improved, and the millennium development goals must be reached as regards, for example, the provision of drinking water, immunization against TB, HIV-AIDS and polio. Nigeria is one of the last countries where this disease is endemic. This is what the EU will stress when the time comes for mid-term evaluation in 2015. We would also like to see some progress with Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).  

HG – What kind of progress on EPAs?

DM – Ideally, we would like to see progress at the ECOWAS level, given that Nigeria represents half of the population of the organization, and so we are strongly encouraging the country to work with us with a view to concluding an agreement by the end of this year. In October, high-level politicians and experts from both two sides will meet in Abuja to evaluate progress so far.  

HG –Given the problems that you have highlighted, is optimism regarding Nigeria – and by extension Africa, for which it acts as an economic engine – not misplaced?

DM – The world sees Africa differently from how it did ten years ago. Six of the ten highest figures for economic growth have been recorded on this continent, and one of these six is Nigeria, with a growth rate of 7.5%. There was a lot of interest in China, India and Brazil, but eyes are now on Nigeria. And not only the eyes of Europe: this is a global phenomenon. But the question of governance is still a crucial one. Healthy development implies noticeable improvements in the standard of living, and after peace and security have been established, what is needed is good governance.  

To sum up, EU aid is focused on peace (for example, we have prioritized the peace process in the Delta of Niger Delta), on the fight against corruption undertaken by the government and the fair running of elections, and on good governance in general in terms of the State providing better services to the population. We always bear in mind the fact that our cooperation with Nigeria has consequences for other African countries. Owing to the country’s resources (gas, for example), if good governance enables it to flourish, this progress will have a knock-on effect elsewhere, and all the more so because of the country’s access to a large and dynamic diaspora, with three million people in the US and one and a half million in the UK. Many of these people have established careers in sectors such as banking, finance and the sciences, not only in these countries but in the western world as a whole.

Hegel Goutier