Tsegaye Tegenu, PhD
2023-09-11
This section discusses the strategies of the three-legged vision goals. Strategy is a direction, a path or an approach designed to achieve vision goals. A strategy fills the gap between “where we are” and “where we want to be”; that is, “how are we going to get there? Strategies are overarching and focus on “what is in the goal” and “why that”. The first essential step in the development of a strategy is the thorough examination and clarification of the goals.
Once you have examined and clarified your goals in the strategy formulation process, the next step often involves identifying the driving or performance thrusting forces that will propel you toward those goals. These thrusting forces can be thought of as the driving factors or key elements that will help you achieve your objectives. Thrusting forces are essentially the critical factors, elements, or strategies that will help propel you toward your goals. I tried to examine the challenges or critical factors of the three-legged vision goals and identified the following strategies necessary to overcome the respective challenges. I know that strategy is purpose-driven and should be well-prepared to address the specific challenges and opportunities associated with achieving each of the vision goals (see figure).
I. Strategies for the vision goal of private sector and market economy development
Strategy 1: Market-Oriented Economic Reforms
Strategy 2: Investment Promotion and Infrastructure Development
Strategy 3: Human Capital Development and Education
Strategy 4: Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Support
Strategy 5: Regulatory and Governance Reforms
Strategy 6: Innovation and Technology Transfer
Strategy 7: Export Promotion and Economic Diversification
II. Strategies for the vision goal of industrialization-led structural transformation
Strategy 1: Industrialization: promote the growth of manufacturing and industrial sectors.
Strategy 2. Agricultural specialization: Increase agricultural productivity and value-added activities
Strategy 3. Infrastructure Development
Strategy 4. Enhance access to capital for entrepreneurs and businesses.
Strategy 5. Education and Skills Development: Invest in human capital development.
Strategy 6. Technology and Innovation: Foster innovation and technological advancement.
Strategy 7. Regulatory Reforms: Create a conducive business environment.
III. Strategies for the vision goal of spatial transformation and integration
Strategy 1: Promote regional development by addressing disparities between urban and rural areas
Strategy 2: Improve the planning and management of urban and metropolitan areas to reduce congestion, enhance livability, and promote economic growth.
Strategy 3: Enhance transportation networks and connectivity to improve access to markets, jobs, and services.
Strategy 4: Promote efficient land use, affordable housing, and well-planned urban development.
Strategy 5: Foster technology hubs and innovation clusters to promote economic diversification.
Strategy 6: Develop and upgrade critical infrastructure, including transportation, energy, and digital connectivity.
Strategy 7: Protect natural landscapes, create green spaces, and promote environmental sustainability.
Strategy 9: Engage the private sector in spatial transformation and infrastructure development through PPPs.
Strategy 10: Involve local communities and stakeholders in spatial planning and decision-making processes.
You have now a total of 24 strategies to think about on how to create a post-scarcity economy of Ethiopia. Successful vision goal achievements consist all of the above strategies. A good strategy has the following attributes: clarity, specificity, actionable, measurable, long-term, resource allocation, efficiency and effectiveness.
Each of the respective strategies contain various policies which provide rules and guidelines to ensure consistency and compliance within the specific strategy. In a forthcoming paper, I will present a list of the different types of policies (about 82 of them) belonging to the respective strategies.