By George Nyeki

The 2004 Globalization Index Report is out. The index ranks sixty-two countries around the world on their political, economic and technological advancements. This index report gives us a clear picture of where a country is placed in different categories, it measures a countries global link from foreign direct investment to trade, international travel, tourism, telephone traffic and Internet servers.

This years Globalization Index has revealed that even as the world economy slowed, Internet growth in poor countries and increased cross-border travel deepened global links. With the global integration of information technology, finance and trade the world has become everyone’s everyday market place.

Countries 2004 Ranking 2003 Ranking Botswana 30 33 Tunisia 35 39 Uganda 38 36 Senegal 40 42 Nigeria 42 37 Morocco 47 29 South Africa 49 38 Kenya 54 44 Egypt 60 48

This report has a lot of countries smiling because of their success in global links and others asking what went wrong. In Africa this report focuses on nine African countries. Botswana took the lead by being 30th in the list, having gone up three sports from last year. Tunisia is second by being 35th in the list up four from last year, Uganda hit 38 down two, Senegal 40 up two, Nigeria 42 down five, Morocco 47 down eighteen, South Africa 49 down eleven, Kenya 54 down ten and last but not least Egypt ranking 60 in the list having gone down twelve from last year.

Botswana came up on top as Africa’s most globalized nation, thanks to taking the first spot in the index category of transfer payment. Kenya and Egypt were the least globalized African countries in this years index. Their reputation for corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency and crime continue to drive away foreign direct investments, tourism and trade.

Having had followed this index reports for the last three years and having had hoped that in years to come the index will raise African countries much higher in the list, then the numbers I saw in this years index were sad and I was one of those who paused to ask what went wrong? Is it that African countries did something that lowered their standing or is it that the other countries are adapting faster to globalization living Africa behind? For whatever reasons, this years report was mind burgling and something needs to be done about it. As an African, if I had a chance to talk with the African policymakers. This is what I would tell them.

In a meeting with them, I would start by saying; those of you who have an agenda of propelling your people into the global market economy, please stand up. I am hoping they all would standup, I would then request them to have a sit. I would hold the Globalization Index Chart so they can all see it, and then say to them, I am sorry to inform you that you all are failing in your agenda. You are failing to realize that in today’s globalized society its not where you are or who you are its what you are and how your country is connected. You are failing to realize that where Dell, Microsoft, HP or Apple built their next factory, it’s where TD-Waterhouse, Fidelity global mutual fund and the like will invest their cash. All in all you have failed to realize that globalization leads to more commerce, trade and economic development; more economic development leads to more prosperity for more people; more prosperity tends to lead to more pluralism and political liberalization; and greater liberalization tends to lead to democratization.

If you are looking to embrace globalization, you have to abide by the rules of the free market in today’s global economy. The golden rules are clear and simple; making private sector the private engine of economic growth, maintaining a low rate of inflation and price stability, shrinking the size of state bureaucracy, maintaining as close to a balance budget as possible, if not surplus, eliminating and lowering tariffs on imported goods, removing restrictions on foreign investments, getting reed of quotas in domestic monopoly, increasing export, privatizing state owned industries and utilities, deregulating the capital market, making your currency convertible, opening of industries, eliminating government corruption, subsidies and kickbacks as much as possible, open your banking and telecommunication systems to private ownership and competition and allowing your citizens to choose from any array of competing pension options and foreign run pension and mutual funds. Honorable ladies and gentlemen, I know you have heard these before but since you haven’t put it to play, I thought I should put it up as a reminder.

Yes I know democratization, globalization and industrialization is not an event - like the fall of the Berlin wall – but it’s a process by which time and determination are needed. So instead of attacking each other on petty political issues or work to fulfill your own personal interests, why not try and create conditions that are good for investors and trade, create suitable infrastructure for domestic and international businesses, work to curb down crime and tourists will be flowing like River Nile, and maybe next year instead of slipping down the list again, you will be propelling up as the other countries ask what is it that made them snooze.