Events

AU ministers agree to move industrial agenda forward for Africa’s socio- economic development

Nairobi, Kenya 13 June 2013- “industrialization advancement is a must for Africa to move forward in the development agenda….” this was underscored by Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) on the occasion of the 20th Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Industry (CAMI-20) opening session, on 13 June 2013.

Mr. Mwencha recalled that Africa became a prosperous, united and effective player in the global economy. He underscored the value of Pan-Africanism and deeper integration through south-south cooperation as key for the development of Africa’s industry.
Officiated by H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, CAMI-20 is organized by African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the Government of Kenya.

“Africa, as we speak today, remains largely a trading continent. Undeniably, trade is an important driver of economic growth and development. Indeed, there are many regions and countries of the world that have been able to lift their citizens from poverty to prosperity through trade. Unfortunately, however, the share of Africa in global trade is insignificant, at only 3 percent. Moreover, a key feature of Africa's trade, which has had adverse impact on economic growth and development, is its high external orientation and relatively low level of intra-Africa trade, President Kenyatta told participants.

Intra-African trade stands at around only 10 percent compared to 60 percent, 40 percent and 30 percent intra-regional trade that has been achieved by Europe, North America and the Association of South East Asian Nations respectively, he added. (Complete speech of the president is available on www.au.int).

On his part Mr. Kandeh Yumkella, Director General of UNIDO highlighted the different areas in which UNIDO collaborated with Africa, including environmental sustainability, trade capacity building, poverty reduction, and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa (PMPA). In the area of energy, UNIDO has developed and implemented a number of power projects in Africa with the focus on mini-hydro and solar energy as well as promotion of industrial energy efficiency and energy system optimization.

He assured the ministers that UNIDO will continue on successful cooperation in order to move the continent’s industrial development agenda forward. (Complete speech of the Director General is available on www.au.int).

“As we approach the target date of 2015 for the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), it is crucial for Africa to place among its priorities, the rapid industrialization of the continent in the post 2015 development agenda. The importance of Africa’s industrialization cannot be overemphasized, considering the important role the sector could play in the socio-economic development of the continent”, said Ms. Fatima Haram Acly, Commissioner for Trade and Industry, AUC. (Complete speech of the Commissioner is available on www.au.int).

Mr. Gabriel Negatu, Regional Director, African Development Bank (AfDB) indicated the need for enhanced infrastructure development to promote industrialization in Africa, and committed the support of AfDB in infrastructure development projects.

He underscored the need for a legal and policy framework to attract the private sector to invest in industry as well as the shift from brown to green industrialization by ensuring the right technology to ensure environmental protection.

The ministers are expected to endorse the recommendations of the expert session which took place 10-12 June 2013. The recommendation t include;
• Promotion of the private sector entrepreneurship development for sustainable employment and economic empowerment of women and gender;
• Access to renewable energy for productive use for rural development;
• Promotion of green industries, energy efficiency and cleaner and sustainable production in the context of climate change;
• Capacity building, research, development, and innovation for industrialization;
• Long-term financing for African industrialization;
• Appraisal of the state of implementation of agreed priorities on Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA).

For further information and interview request contact Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC; molalett@africa-union.org; molalet24t@yahoo.com

PRESS RELEASE

AGOA Mid-Term Review meeting plans ahead of the 12th AGOA forum and post AGOA 2015

Washington, DC, 3 June 2013 - The Ambassadors of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) eligible member states in the United States of America, with the support of the African Union Permanent Representational Mission to the United States of America, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) closed a two day meeting in preparation for the 12th AGOA forum, scheduled to take place this summer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The AGOA Mid Term Review, that took place on 30 and 31 May 2013, at the World Bank premises was aimed to make adequate preparations for the 12th AGOA Forum with a view to develop a common African position on the future of Africa/US trade and economic relations as well as examine the possible scenarios post AGOA 2015..

In his welcoming remarks, the Representative of the World Bank, Mr. Marcelo Guigale, Director for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management, highlighted the importance for AGOA to develop its full potential as an engine of intra-regional integration as well as an instrument of promoting foreign direct investments and creating jobs if it is extended for a longer time period and in a predictable manner.

Ambassador Amina S. Ali, Permanent Representative of the Africa Union Mission to the USA, on her part, commended in her opening remarks, the renewed U.S. engagement in Africa, while underscoring that Africa and the U.S. have common stakes and interests in reinforcing their new dynamic partnership based on mutual interests. She added,: "Beyond the objective of extending AGOA post 2015, the challenge is how to integrate this trade scheme into an inclusive, predictable and sustainable framework that would promote industrial, commercial and agricultural development in the beneficiary countries."

Regarding the AUC partnership with the USA, Ambassador Ali recalled the signing of a strategic memorandum of understanding in 2013 by the United States and the African Union Commission elevating their partnership to a strategic dimension, in addition to holding their regular High Level Political Dialogue on a regular basis to deepen and strengthen their partnership on issues of mutual interest and concern.

Mr. Alan Kyerematen, Director for African Trade Policy Center/UNECA pointed out that ATPC/UNECA has consistently been supporting AGOA Mid-Term Reviews since 2010 based on the strong belief that AGOA can have a transformative impact of the continent.

The Chair of the AGOA Consultative Group, Ambassador Girma Birru, of Ethiopia, expressed his appreciation to the AUC and ATPC/UNECA for organizing the Mid Term Review meeting. He informed the gathering that after securing the extension of the third country fabric provision, the Working Group of AGOA Ambassadors Group, composed of each region in Africa, is actively working to extend AGOA beyond 2015.

The meeting discussed a range of key issues related to the U.S-Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation as well as the future of AGOA beyond 2015.Two strategic papers related to these two issues were presented by AUC and UNECA.

Part of the meeting was broad stakeholders’ consultations between the African Representatives and the U.S. and on these outstanding issues. In this regard, two important sessions were devoted to consultations with representatives from the U.S. Administration and the Congress, which highlighted a number of substantive issues that need to be addressed during the process of reauthorization of AGOA. In particular, issues of country eligibility, product coverage, supply side constraints, the under-utilization of AGOA and others.

Various presentations were also made to the meeting by representatives from the U.S private sector, think tanks and the Diaspora regarding the future of AGOA beyond 2015 from their own perspectives.

It is worth mentioning that the meeting was updated on the preparations leading to the AGOA 2013 Forum to be held in Addis Ababa in August 2013, under the theme: "Sustainable transformation through Trade and Technology."

AFRICA SHOULD PROMOTE A PRO-ACTIVE AND VIBRANT PAN AFRICAN SECTOR THAT CAN PLAY THE LEAD ROLE IN ENERGISING AFRICAN ECONOMIES- AUC DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON

Addis Abba 22 May 2013 – Fifty years of post-colonial history have seen significant transformations in the role of the private sector in Africa. From a predominantly country based trade oriented sector, the African private sector has transformed into a modern industrial and commercial base, increasingly engaged in a complex and competitive global economic environment. Today, the role of the private sector as the engine for growth and economic development in Africa and the rest of the world is generally accepted.

This was said by the African Union Commission’s Deputy Chairperson Mr Erastus Mwencha in Addis Ababa today at the opening of a business forum, focusing on the role of the private sector in securing Africa’s renaissance. The workshop was held at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The AUC Commissioner of Trade and Industry Mrs Acyl also attended.

In encouraging public private partnerships (PPPs), Mr Mwencha observed that attitudes are changing and that policy discussions are increasingly addressing the role and importance of private sector and civil society actors in development matters. Africa’s private sector accounted for more than 80 percent of total production, two thirds of total investment and three quarters of total credit to the economy over the 1996- 2008 period. It was also responsible for 90 percent of formal and informal employment.

As such “our common strategic goal with respect to the private sector should be to promote a pro-active and vibrant Pan African sector that can play the lead role in energising African economies to achieve poverty eradication through creative and productive processes that accelerate economic growth, sustainable development and deeper integration of Africa into the global economy”, said the Deputy Chairperson.

The Deputy Chairperson reminded the business forum that, in order to achieve development and integration by 2063, the AU Commission has crafted a strategic plan that encompasses 8 priority areas i.e. human capacity development; agriculture and food security; inclusive economic development; peace and stability; gender and equity; resource mobilisation; communication and participation; and institutional capacity building. He observed that all these areas require the private sector participation.

Based on the potential for growth on the African continent, and within the scope of a 50 year continental development framework (Agenda 2063) currently being championed by the AU Commission, the African Union therefore sees a continent integrated economically and politically in the next 50 years. It is also planning for an Africa whose share of world trade will stand at 15 percent and whose intra African trade will be standing at 50percent compared to today’s 11 percent.

The one day business forum was also addressed by representatives from the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI); United Africa Group; UN global Compact; Republic of Ghana; United Nations Development Programme and Algeria. It was hosted by PACCI, and co-sponsored by the African Union, UN Global Compact and UNDP.

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VISITE DES SENATEURS FRANÇAIS JEAN-MARIE BOCKEL, ROBERT HUE, ET ANGO ELA KALLIOPI AU DEPARTEMENT COMMERCE ET INDUSTRIE

AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION ORGANIZES A DEBATE ON THE PANAFRICANISM AND THE AFRICAN INTEGRATION

Addis Ababa, 10th May 2013- A group of African scholars, experts, researchers and students discussed Pan Africanism and African Integration in a debate dubbed "Friday of the Commission", which held its first session in 2013, on Friday 10th May 2013, at the African Union's Plenary Hall Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Organized by the Economic Affairs Department in cooperation with Communications and Information Directorate, the discussion was held under the theme "PANAFRICANISM AT THE SERVICE OF AFRICAN INTEGRATION: A MYTH OR REALITY?” It was inspired by the continental celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU, and aimed to answer a number of questions on Pan-Africanism and African integration, i.e. whether Pan-Africansim as a philosophy or school of thought has been understood and implemented by African leaders, and if Pan-Africanism can still serve as a source of inspiration for decision makers of the continent today.

Chairing the conference-debate, Dr. René N'guettia Kouassi, Director of Economic Affairs of the AUC noted that this edition of Friday of the Commission is being held at a time when Africa is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of formation of the Organization of the African Unity.

Professor Francoise Ndengwe, Chairman of African Advisory Board, highlighted in his presentation entitled “Are we serious about pan-africanism today? An economic policy viewpoint”, the main achievements with regards African integration economically starting from Abuja treaty in 1991. He expressed the importance of establishing and developing international institutions such as the African Central Bank, African Monetary Fund, and African Investment Fund which give Africa a voice on the global platform. He further emphasised on the need for trust between the African countries as a basis for regional integration.

Professor Daryl Monroe Poe, a specialist of Pan-Africanism explained in his presentation on Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s take on Pan-Africanism and his vision for a continental union. He further explained the immediate challenges Africa faces. He called for the creation of a Pan-African personality, nationalism, and economics among Africans.

Friday of the Commission is a trimestrial event, which serves as a forum of debates on issues related to the socio-economic, political and cultural development of the African continent.

Participants at the debate include: staff of the AU Commission, African and non-African diplomats, members of the Permanent Representatives Committee, staff of international institutions in Addis Ababa, academics and university students.