financial imbalances without addressing the problem of the long-term transformation of the economies with which the recovery Programme was meant to deal. As a result, JB/24 A/S-18/PV.8 112 (Mr;. · Didi; Uqanda) Africa's long-term economic problems renain unresolved and continue to pose a serious threat to the future economic growth and development of the reqion. The Lagos Plan of Action defines Africa's priorities and strategies for long-term growth and development. That Plan remains as valid today as it was When adopted in 1980. Our experience with structural adjustment programmes, which we have had to adopt at the urging of donor countries and multilateral financial ins ti tu t ions, shows that those programmes have failed to brinq about the des ired qoals and objectives. Indeed, one would be hard pressed to find a genuine success storv for those programmes. In the circumstances, therefore, Africa has had to oome up with an alternative Programme, now widely known as the African Alternative Framework for Structural Adjustment Programme and Transformation, built on the foundation of the Laqos Plan of Action. The Programme is meant to redress structural bottle-necks and imbalances, develop the capacity to adjust to internal and external shocks and provide for long-term structural transform tion and sustained development. In order for that Programme to succeed, it is essential tD have an enabling international environment, especially in the interrelated areas of monev, trade, finance and debt, that is conducive to growth and development. It is a sad commentary that the number of the poorest countries, known as least developed countries, has jumPed from 31 in 1980 to 42 today, with the original 31 experiencing a further deterioration in their economies. In those countries, per capita income has decreased, the ratio of investment to gross domestic product has declined, the balance-of-PaYments disequilibrium has worsened, shares of world 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the long-term economic problems of Africa, the failure of structural adjustment programs, and the need for an alternative framework for economic transformation. It also mentions the decline of the least developed countries and the need for an enabling international environment. The text's focus on economic development, structural transformation, and international relations suggests that it belongs to the categories related to economic development and international trade.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade