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African Union Commission Celebrates the 23rd Africa Industrialization Day (AID)

African Union Commission Celebrates the 23rd Africa Industrialization Day (AID)

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November 20, 2017

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 20 November 2017 – The African Union Commission (AUC) celebrated the Africa Industrialization Day on 20th November 2017 at the AUC Headquarters. The celebration was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Pan African Chamber of Commerce. The event was attended by AUC staff, AU Member State Ambassadors, Regional Economic Communities (Liaison Offices), UNECA, UNIDO, PACCI, Partners and Private sectors.

The purpose of the celebration was to raise global awareness and sensitization on the importance of Industrial development as an engine for inclusive and sustainable development as well as the challenges faced by the African continent in mobilizing both African leaders and International Organizations to advocate for Accelerated Industrialization of Africa.

Industrialization is a primary driver of economic growth and job creation, and will be pivotal in efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Africa Union’s Agenda 2063. This year’s Africa Industrialization Day was organized under the theme” African industrial development: a pre-condition for an effective and sustainable Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA)”.

In his official speech to mark the celebration read by Prof AKEH Emmanuel Nnamdi, Principal Policy officer at the Chairperson Office, H.E Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission welcomed all participants to the event. He noted that the colorful and success of this year’s event was made possible due to among other things the continuous and fruitful collaboration between the African Union Commission, AU Member States, the United Nations family, the Regional Economic Communities, the Private Sector, and the Civil Society, among other stakeholders. towards Africa’s industrialization drive. H.E Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, reaffirmed the Commitment of the African Union Commission in ensuring that Industrialization deliver inclusive prosperity for Africa in line with the African Union Agenda 2063. In conclusion he stressed the need for stronger commitment by AU Member States in “Working with the Private Sector and harnessing the demographic dividend, towards industrialization in order to: “Made in Africa” a strong brand and in its wake, usher in a new era of inclusive prosperity for present and future generations in our continent”.
H.E Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, Commissioner for Human Resource Science and Technology who represented H.E Ambassador Albert M. Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry at the event reminded participants that the African Union Commission is leading the process of developing the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA), which fully aligns with the development agenda of Africa as elucidated to in the Agenda 2063 and Africa Common Position on Sustainable Development Goals. She added that the structural transformation of economies are top priorities for the continent to better integrate in the global economy. The Commissioner explained that for Africa to succeed in its industrialisation driver, there is an urgent need to take advantage of its diverse human and natural resources”. H.E Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor called upon all governments to take advantage of the CFTA and Commit themselves towards industrialization.
Representing H.E Mr. LI Yong, Director General UNIDO, Mr. Asegid Adane Mebratu, National Programme Officer UNIDO, Ethiopia, reiterated the importance of prioritizing Industrialization in Africa. He stressed that “As we discuss Africa’s Continental Free Trade Area, it is imperative to consider how we can develop and enhance Intra-African trade in manufactured goods. Enhancing such trade requires accelerating industrialization and promoting regional value chains. We need to keep building African Industrial Productive Capacities, promote technological transfer, and enhance the capability of institutions to develop and implement evidence-based policies” he said.
Mr Kebour Ghenna, Executive Director of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry representing the Private sector opened his remarks by congratulating the African Union Commission for organizing a colorful event to commemorate the African Industrialisation Day. He also noted that “The challenges facing business are huge, and in the ever-changing competitive environment in which the private sector operates, there is no time to relax. local companies need assured markets at home and it is from such base that they will develop and grow into regional and international giants.” He therefore applauded the efforts to advance the AIDA and the CFTA to create reach opportunities to all interdependent countries and enterprises.

Mr Kebour Ghenna further recognized that “In recent years, many countries in Africa have experienced significant economic growth and progress, however, inclusive and sustainable industrial development remains elusive. The main players to advance industrializations are our SMEs. Typically, they account for upwards of 90% of all firms outside the agricultural sector”. He concluded by calling upon all stakeholders to deepen their engagement within the CFTA and make movement around the continent less stressful and cumbersome if our industries are to prosper

Mr. Hussein Hassan, Head of Industry Division, African Union Commission delivered a Joint statement by AUC, UNECA, and UNIDO. The statement which was addressed to member states, regional economic communities and stakeholders reflected on the common vision of the three organizations towards the requirements of Africa Industrial development and also identified the challenges and opportunities necessary for coherent cooperation through the frameworks of the Global Agenda 2030, Africa Agenda 2063, Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa “IDDA III” and Action Plan of Accelerated Industrial Development for Africa “AIDA”.

AUC, UNECA and UNIDO further expressed their commitment in line with their respective mandates, for renewed and improved actions to support an inclusive and sustainable Industrialization drive and called on all African stakeholders to expedite their commitment to the African economy in order to fulfill the vision of “One Africa, One market”.

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For more information, please contact: Mrs. Ron Osman Email: OmarR@africa-union.org

Media contacts:
Meaza Tezera Department of Trade and Industry – Tel: + 251 912120442 - Email: Meazat@africa-union.org
Esther Azaa Tankou, Head of Information Division, Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC Tel. +251 911361185, E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org
For further information: Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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