Events

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Africa: Urgent action needed to link mining with region’s development objectives
Celebrated for the first time, Africa Mining Vision Day calls for a more sustainable, people-centred mining agenda
Cape Town, February 3, 2014– On the margins of Africa’s largest annual mining conference, “Mining Indaba”, multilateral development organizationshave called on the private sector tojoin forces with them in ensuring the revenues from mining are reinvested in people.
Issued on the newly created Africa Mining Vision Day, the call comes amidst a downward trend in commodity prices and in particular minerals, which has raised uncertainty on the momentum of the continent’s sustainability agenda. For instance, during the first four months of 2013, mining stocks fell nearly 20 percent.
Industry leaders, ministers, policy-makers, members of academia and international organizations will be urging the private sector to play a stronger role in fast-tracking the implementation of the African Union (AU)’s Africa Mining Vision, which aims to ensure the extractives sector can boost social and economic development across the continent.
“AMV Day 2014 would be the first of a long term process of dialogues and partnership building with a view to increasing mutual understanding on how to promote sustainable development in the extractive sector in Africa and the need for mutual benefits between host country and mining companies,” said the hosts and partners.
AMV Day is hosted by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC), housed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA),in close collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It is supported by Australian Aid and the World Bank.
Nearly one quarter of Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is now based on extractive resources, the highest ratio among all regions. Between 2000 and 2008 alone, the value created from natural resources in Africa rose from $39.2 billion to $240 billion.
The extractives sector is expected to play a catalytic role for development in many African countries. To that end, the resources from mining need to be reinvested in infrastructure and further growth, while opening opportunities for economic diversification and transformation.
Management of mining revenues will entail the creation of more effective public-private partnerships and closer involvement from other stakeholders, including local communities and governments.
Achieving broad-based, sustainable development means establishing the right environmental safeguards, but also fulfilling a number of economic and social priorities.
For instance, participants will underline that the need to guarantee environmental sustainability, distribute the benefits from extraction effectively, create social safety nets, invest in skills and infrastructure and intensify agriculture to create jobs and bolster food security.
In December, ECA, AUC, AfDB and UNDP launched the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) to help implement the Africa Mining Vision.
The new hub will help implement the African Mining Vision, which aims to ensure Africa’s mineral resources can support economic growth and development. It will translate that vision into practical solutions for reducing poverty and involving people in development.
Experts and researchers will be made available to help countries implement the vision, advising governments, businesses and civil society organizations on issues such as licensing, geological and mining information systems, artisanal and small-scale mining and investments in diversification.
The one-day event will look at a diversity of topics, including private sector involvement, building local skills and establishing sustainable business agendas.
For media queries, please contact:
ECA: Mercy Wambui,mwambui@uneca.org +251-921-014767
UNDP: New York - Nicolas Douillet,nicolas.douillet@undp.org +1.212.906.5937;Johannesburg - PhumzaManquindi, Phumza.manqindi@undp.org+27 12 354-8050
AUC: Esther Azaa Tankou,yamboue@africa-union.org +251 911361185
AfDB: PietroToigo,p.toigo@afdb.org+216 71 10 1299

AFRICAN MINING EXPERTS CONVERGE IN MAPUTO TO DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN MINERAL RESOURCES

Maputo, Mozambique, 13th December 2013, Experts responsible for mining and natural resources development from AU Member States converged today Friday 13th -15th December 2013, to brainstorm how African countries could design and implement effective strategies and policies of Mineral Resources through the African Mining Vision (AMV) and development of an African Mineral Development Center AMDC . Their meeting comes ahead of and in preparation for the 3rd Ordinary Session of the AU Conference of the Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development, scheduled to take place 16th -17th December in Mozambique.

The Conference held under the theme: “Leveraging the Africa Mining Vision for Africa’s Renaissance towards broader ownership”, the meeting is jointly organized by the African Union Commission (AUC), Republic of Mozambique and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

Mrs. Treasure Maphanga, Director of Trade and Industry of the AU Commission at today’s opening session of the meeting highlighted the importance of the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) which stresses the need for value addition, through industrialization and beneficiation of raw materials including by establishing backward and forward linkages in the mining industry.

The Director recalled the decision to establish the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) which will initially be established as a five year project of the AUC while a sustainable institutional framework for its future is being developed. She encouraged Member States to take advantage of the services offered by the AMDC and to play a leadership role in the governance of the Centre. ( Please find the full speech of the Director on www.au.int)

Over two days, the experts are expected to discuss on the Implementation of AMV at the national and regional levels, the case of countries and RECs Mining Vision, managing the AMV Transformation Agenda. The Experts meeting will also consider the African Mineral Development Centre (AMDC). In particular, it will focus on structure, mandates, ownership, governance, financing, roles of the stakeholders and the final form of the AMDC. Additionally, the meeting will consider the AMDC Business Plan, the draft Ministerial declarations, draft agenda and work program of the Ministers’ Meeting.

The meeting was attended by the African Experts responsible for mineral resources development, AUC and RECs’ officials, Development Partners, representatives of UN agencies, African private sector, African Chambers of mines and industry, NGOs and CSOs, AfDB.

At the end of their deliberations, the Experts will adopt a report on the main recommendations of their meeting along with a draft declaration, and submit it for adoption to the 3rd Conference of Ministers to open on Monday 16th December 2013.

For Further Information consult the AU website: www.au.int

Media Contact:
Ms. Afrah M. Thabit
Directorate of Information and Communication
E-mail: Thabitma@africa-union.org
afraht@hotmail.com
Website :www.au.int

Workshop on Internal Markets, Arusha, Tanzania, 21-22 November 2013

DRAFT CONCEPT NOTE

REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON SME’S DEVELOPMENT IN-AFRICA

Theme: “SMEs Promotion for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Africa”

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

18 - 20 November 2013

Regional Workshop on SME’S development in-Africa

Theme: “SMEs Promotion for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Africa”

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

18 - 20 November 2013

1. The Commission of the African Union envisages the holding of a Regional Workshop on SMEs Development in Africa, from 18 - 20 November 2013 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo The workshop which will focus on industrial SMEs, is being organised within the framework of the Summit Decisions on AIDA and BIAT/CFTA and seeks to promote within the Member States of the African Union the establishment and growth of SMEs for industrial development, job creation and economic development .

Background

2. One of the daunting challenges faced by Africa today is how to manage its transition into a knowledge-based economy. Success in this task will ensure a competitive and dynamic African economy with more and better jobs and a higher level of social cohesion among its Members States. In a globally changing landscape characterized by continuous structural changes and enhanced competitive pressures, the role of SMEs has become even more important as providers of employment opportunities and key players in the wellbeing of local, national and regional communities.

3. In Africa, the SME sector is one of the most important industrial sectors capable of meeting the challenges of eradicating poverty. Generally, the SME sector accounts for nearly 90 percent of African economies. It is the largest source of employment, providing a livelihood for over three quarters of the working population, especially women. The sector is the backbone of almost every economy on the continent. However, the relative share of the sector in total output and exports is generally much lower as compared to other parts of the world.

4. For decades, the capacity and productivity of SMEs in most African countries has remained very low. This is due mainly to the inadequate public support to the sector. In order to promote and enhance the development of industrial SMEs in Africa, there should be an institutional framework whereby entrepreneurial capabilities could be upgraded. The institutional framework could facilitate an effective and efficient coordination of the value chain, starting from analyzing the market, standardizing the conditions, designing, training, and financing of the sector.

5. It must be acknowledged that the national and local environment in which SMEs operate are very different and so is the nature of SMEs themselves, including crafts, micro enterprises, family owned or social economy enterprises. Therefore, policies addressing the needs of SMEs need to fully recognize this diversity and fully respect the principle of subsidiarity. Since the sector does not require sophisticated technology and high level of training to develop, the right policy framework could promote their growth and development. African dynamic entrepreneurs are well placed to reap the opportunities from globalization and from the acceleration of technological change. The capacity of Africa to build on the growth and innovation potential of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) will be decisive for the future of African economic growth.

6. SMEs have to manage growth and change in an environment where the pace, pattern, and organization of production have evolved fundamentally. Trade liberalization at the global and regional levels has created opportunities as well as challenges for the development of the SME sector. In the recent past, many African countries have implemented business reforms aimed mainly at reducing red-tape for the establishment of SMEs. In addition, the business environment for SMEs has improved considerably in many African countries according to the latest Africa – Doing Business Report 2009 of the World Bank.

7. Despite this encouraging progress, the continent still needs to take further significant measures to release the full potential of SMEs. In general, African SMEs still have lower productivity and grow more slowly than those in other parts of the world. In fact, the recent financial and economic crisis has reinforced the urgent need for Africa, considering the important role of SMEs in the economic growth of their economies, to continue to carry out economic reforms and create public support for the establishment and growth of industrial SMEs.

8. The Department of Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission therefore, endeavors to support the creation of an enabling environment for the development of SMEs as part of a strategy for the implementation of the Plan of Action for the accelerated industrial development of Africa.

Objective of the Workshop

9. The main objective of this workshop is to provide to policy makers of Member States of the Central and Western African regions of the African Union, a platform for exchange of information and best practices on SMEs’ policy issues and on industrial SMEs. Invited participants are expected to brainstorm on some of the key issues relating to the creation of an enabling environment for the development and growth of Industrial SMEs in Africa and to notably:

• Promote polices for the development and growth of SMEs in Africa
• Articulate a policy framework that aims at providing an enabling environment for the promotion of industrial SMEs based on African best practices.
• Develop a promotion strategy for Industrial SME’s in Africa;
• Exchange experiences and best practices Fostering a Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach in Africa;
• Assess the role of Government and the role of the private sector in promoting the industrial SMEs;
• Define measurable indicators to enable Africa to monitor achievement of SMEs in the share of industrial products in both national and continental GDP;
• Promote research and innovation as an essential means for SME’s growth and competitiveness;

Expected Outcome of the Meeting

10. The workshop is expected to provide broad rrecommendations on a policy framework, which aims at providing an enabling environment that promotes industrial SME’s based on African best practices.

Participants

11. The workshop will comprise of the following participants:

 One high level official from each of the Member States of the Central and Western region of the African Union;
 One representative of each of the following RECs having as area of responsibility, industrial SMEs: ECCAS, ECOWAS
 One representative of the Chair of the ESA Tripartite arrangement, notably the EAC
 One expert from the UNIDO
 One expert from the UNECA
 One expert from the UNCTAD
 One expert from AfDB
 One expert from the World Bank
 Representatives of Private Sector Organisations
 Commission staff.

Information

12. The following staff can be contacted for further information relating to this workshop:

• Mr. Francois Jean Noel, Head of Division, Department of Trade & Industry, P.O. Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tel + (251) 115182966, Email: : FrancoisJN@africa-union.org.

• Ms. Meaza Tezera, Communications Assistant (Partners Relationship), Department of Trade & Industry, P.O. Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tel + (251) 115182955, Email: Meazat@africa-union.org

Directorate of Trade and Industry
Commission of the African Union
Addis Ababa
October 2013

MEDIA ADVISORY
Conference of African Ministers of Trade (CAMT)
INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: 8th Ordinary Session of AU Conference of Ministers of Trade

When: The conference will be in two phases:
Experts meeting 21-23 Oct 2013
Ministerial meeting 24-25 Oct 2013

Where: African Union Commission, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Who: Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP).

Objective: The meeting is expected to discuss the implications of Bilateral Trade Agreements by Member States and RECs with external partners on the establishment of Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) and the implementation of regional integration in Africa; strengthening South-South trade cooperation; and the African Union agenda 2063, among other issues.

Participants: African Union Ministers of Trade, African experts on trade, African Private Sector, Academia, UN Agencies and NGOs and other relevant development partners.

Attached the draft work programme

Journalists are invited to cover the opening ceremony of the experts’ meeting on Monday 21st October at 08:30 and the opening ceremony of the ministerial meeting on 24 October at 09:00. The full programmes of the meeting are attached.

Media contact:
Wynne Musabayana
MusabayanaW@africa-union.org