African consensus has huge appeal because it articulates as an economic model in existing phenomena across the continent. Because of dysfunctional government and historical problems connected with conditional aid, civil society has responded across the continent with a plethora of programs for protecting local identity through sustainable businesses. Today some 40% (forty-percent) of all gross productivity in Africa comes from the informal sector. From nature conservancies in Namibia to women’s groups in Senegal, people are raising money at the village level to solve local community problems. The African Consensus approach is alive everywhere. For this reason, the African consensus movement has gained momentum.
On the 28th of April, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights will hold the 49th Ordinary Session, and it is expected that the African Consensus Resolution will be tabled for discussion and adoption. There is a strong view that African consensus offers an “African” solution, a localized economic model which is Africans own response to the Washington consensus. As increasing Chinese investment enters the continent connected with aid the question arises whether Africa will follow the Washington consensus or the Beijing consensus. The African consensus offers a home-grown alternative without committing to either. It presents the African grassroots solution to the failures of top-down economics. It draws attention to a continental phenomenon that may be viewed by many western economists as “alternative” and it articulates this as mainstream given the sheer volume of the phenomenon. As one African NGO commentator said, “with so much poverty around us, we have no other choice but to take action into our own hands”.