What: The Opening Session of African Union Ministers in charge of Industry & Economic Diversification meeting ahead of the AU Extraordinary Summit. 

When: 7th November 2022. 9.30am GMT+1: 11.30am EAT.

Where: Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Center, Niamey, Niger. The Opening session will also be livestreamed LIVE on: 

• Twitter : https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1jMKgLWQkYgGL
• Facebook : https://fb.me/e/2m9aR5Vvf
• AU Website : https://au.int/en/videos/20221107/joint-meeting-au-ministers-chargeindustry-and-economic-diversification

Who: The Opening Session will be addressed by among others;

• E. Albert M. MUCHANGA, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals;
• E. Ms. Gourouza SALAMATOU, Minister of Industry and Youth Entrepreneurship, Republic of Niger; 
• Edem ADZOGENU, Co-Chair of the AfroChampions Executive Committee;
• E. Ms. Nardos Bekele-THOMAS, Chief Executive Officer, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)
• E. Mr. Gerd MÜLLER, Director General, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO);
• E. Ms. Cristina DUARTE, Under-SecretaryGeneral, Special Adviser on Africa to the United Nations SecretaryGeneral;
• Stephen Karingi, ECA Director of Regional Integration Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA);

Background information.

African Union Ministers in charge of Industry & Economic Diversification meeting ahead of the African Union Extraordinary Summit Industrialization and Economic Diversification to be convened on the 25th November 2022. The Ministers will focus on moving commitments to actions and accelerate the pace on transforming from an import-heavy continent at a higher risk of external shocks, to an export-heavy and globally competitive continent. By doing so, Africa will then make a substantial shift in reducing poverty creating decent jobs for its population particularly its women and youth, and increase the prospects for wealth creation.

The African continent has not advanced to satisfactory industrialization levels. To reverse this situation, the attainment of inclusive and sustainable industrialization and economic diversification in Africa, is a priority item on the development agenda and the Summit will be looking at how to renew commitments towards an inclusive and sustainable. 

Read- Africa’s Industrial Revolution: Industrial policy set to shift from the business asusual approach.

For more details about the African Union Extraordinary Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification, visit - https://au.int/en/summit-africa-industrializationeconomic

For further information, please contact:

Doreen Apollos | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail: ApollosD@africa-union.org l | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.