What: The 20^th International Economic Forum on Africa. What are the key priorities for implementing the AfCFTA and accelerating Africa’s productive transformation? How can African governments strengthen their borrowing capacity and improve their debt management? How can bilateral and multilateral co-operation facilitate the process? The 2021 edition of the Forum will gather all key actors to share their views and solutions for action.

When: 22 February 2021.

Where: A virtual event. To participate, register here –Registration

Who: The Government of Senegal, in collaboration with the African Union and the Development Centre of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, along with partners Casa Africa, le Cercle des Economistes ,the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Sahel and West Africa Club. The Forum will be addressed by;

• Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal
• Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar
• Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
• Angel Gurría, Secretary-General, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
• Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson, African Union Commission
• Ibrahim A. Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer, African Union Development Agency (AUDA/NEPAD)
• Arkebe Oqubay, Senior Minister and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia
• Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General, AfCFTA Secretariat
• Jean Hervé Lorenzi, President, Cercle des Economistes
• Rémy Rioux, Director-General, Agence Française de Développement

Background.

The global economic recession triggered by COVID-19 is hitting African countries hard. In 2020, 41 African economies experienced a decline in their gross domestic product (GDP). Although situations vary across the continent, this crisis has made clear that post-COVID strategies need to tackle two major obstacles to Africa’s long-term sustainable growth: dependence on external markets, and the incapacity of the formal economic sectors to create enough quality jobs.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), now open for business, provides a platform to accelerate productive transformation, create regional value chains and spur continental integration. Its effective implementation, however, depends on African economies’ capacity to create fiscal space and boost private investment in quality infrastructure and sustainable projects.

The Forum hosts Europe’s largest annual conversation on Africa’s ongoing, formidable transformation. It invites African and OECD policy makers, investors, academics, civil society and international organisations to share their views, and discuss how better policies can improve development outcomes for Africans and the world.

The debates will build on the findings of the recently launched Africa’s Development Dynamics 2021, a report by the African Union Commission, produced in collaboration with the OECD Development Centre.

Follow the event on social media: #AfricaForum

For further information on the Forum please contact:

Djeinaba Kane, Department of Economic Affairs | African Union Commission | E-mail: KaneD@africa-union.org

For Media inquiries please contact:

Doreen Apollos, Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission | E-mail: ApollosD@africa-union,org | www.au.int|Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou| Head of Information Division | African Union Commission | Tel: +251 (0) 911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org