Monrovia, Liberia- The African Development Bank (AfDB), through its Regional Integration Coordination Office, will host a key event titled “Can the AfCFTA Build Economic Resilience for Africa in These Uncertain Times?” as part of the 2024 African Economic Conference (AEC) in Gaborone, Botswana. The event, scheduled for Sunday, 24 November, will examine the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a strategic instrument to enhance Africa’s economic resilience against a challenging global backdrop characterized by post-COVID recovery, geopolitical tensions, climate impacts, and escalating regional conflicts.
Global shocks, from COVID-19 to the war in Ukraine, climate change, and rising conflicts – have highlighted the critical need for strengthening regional integration in Africa. With the AfCFTA now operational, this session will explore how it can be leveraged to secure Africa’s economic resilience amidst global and regional uncertainties. Discussions will showcase successful case studies, innovative practices, and actionable insights for policymakers, business leaders, and stakeholders committed to strengthening Africa’s resilience, economic stability, and growth.
This timely event will bring together prominent smart minds and experts, including:
- Mr. Jaswinder Bedi, CEO, Bedi Investments; Chairman, International Textiles Manufacturers Association
- Mr. Samson Arega Bekele, Group Vice President Customer Experience, Ethiopian Airlines
- Mr. Dhunraj Kassee, Director for Industrial Development and Trade, Southern Africa Development Community
- Dr. Nevine Naklah, CEO, El Gondy Trading – AfCFTA Trading Company, Egypt
- Mr. Gilberto Antonio, Senior Advisor to the Secretary-General, Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
- Ms. Allen Asiimwe, Chief of Programmes, TradeMark Africa
- Dr. Joy Kategekwa, Director, Regional Integration Coordination Office, African Development Bank Group (AfDB)
Discussions will focus on Africa’s progress and challenges in integrating its economies, identifying critical infrastructure needs, and exploring strategic approaches to support Regional Member Countries (RMCs) in achieving long-term growth. With a special emphasis on AfCFTA’s potential as a stabilizing force, the event will offer actionable insights and policy recommendations, underscoring the importance of regional integration in navigating global volatility amid waning multilateral partnerships.
Key themes to be covered include:
- Progress and Challenges in Africa’s Integration Journey
- Infrastructure Priorities for Accelerating Integration
- AfDB’s Role in Advancing Integration through the “Integrate Africa” Pillar of the Hi5s Initiative
The event will feature real-world case studies and innovations that highlight AfCFTA’s role in building economic resilience across the continent. It will conclude with strategic policy recommendations, offering Regional Member Countries (RMCs) a roadmap to deepen regional integration and promote sustainable growth amid evolving global dynamics.
To participate, please register through the conference link below
Located within the Regional Development, Integration, and Business Delivery Complex (RDVP), and as the custodian of Integrate Africa, the Regional Integration Coordination Office (RDRI) helps to ensure strategic, programmatic, and operational coherence, as well as the efficient and transparent allocation of resources for regional operations and regional public goods.
The department supports high-level policy dialogue with the African Union Commission, the Regional Economic Communities, the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and related intergovernmental organizations to streamline cooperation mechanisms, drive investments, and promote reforms that accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063, Integrate Africa, and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
Internally, the department helps mainstream regional integration into the Bank’s strategies and operations. It monitors the performance of the regional integration portfolio, generates lessons-learned through periodic reviews, and provides strategic, policy, and operational insights to senior management to improve performance.
Credit:: Emeka Anuforo, Communication and External Relations Department | media@afdb.org
