Economic Policy and Sustainable Development

About

The Economic Policy and Sustainable Development Division is responsible for supporting the African Union’s work on economic policy, sustainable development, domestic resource mobilisation, debt, financial integration, development finance, and Africa’s engagement in global economic governance processes. The Division contributes to the implementation of Agenda 2063 by supporting Member States in the design and coordination of policy responses that promote inclusive growth, fiscal resilience, sustainable financing, and stronger economic governance.

The Division provides technical support to AU policy organs, Member States, Regional Economic Communities, and specialised institutions through research, policy analysis, convening, capacity support, and continental coordination. Its work covers a broad range of areas, including domestic resource mobilisation, taxation, combating illicit financial flows, public debt management, African Union Financial Institutions, digital payment systems, macroeconomic policy, development planning, and economic integration.

The Division also supports Africa’s participation in major continental and global processes, including the G20 Finance Track, international tax cooperation, debt reform discussions, and sustainable finance initiatives. Through statutory meetings, technical committees, expert groups, publications, and strategic partnerships, the Division serves as a continental platform for policy dialogue and practical cooperation on Africa’s economic development priorities.

Activities and Programmes/Key Priorities

African Union Financial Institutions

The Economic Policy and Sustainable Development Division supports the African Union’s agenda on the establishment and operationalisation of the African Union Financial Institutions. These institutions are central to the continent’s long-term ambition to strengthen financial integration, improve monetary cooperation, deepen capital markets, and build a more resilient African financial architecture.

The Division’s work in this area includes technical coordination, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and support to Member States and AU policy organs on matters relating to the African Central Bank, African Monetary Fund, African Investment Bank, and Pan-African Stock Exchange. The Division also contributes to wider discussions on financial stability, macroeconomic convergence, and the financing of Africa’s development priorities.

• African Central Bank
• African Monetary Fund
• African Investment Bank
• Pan-African Stock Exchange

Domestic Resource Mobilisation and Tax

The Division supports Member States in strengthening domestic resource mobilisation as a foundation for sustainable development financing. This includes work on tax policy, fiscal reforms, international tax cooperation, and me`asures to address illicit financial flows from the continent.

The Division also coordinates the work of the Sub-Committee on Tax and Illicit Financial Flows under the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration. Through this platform, Member States exchange experiences, review policy proposals and develop common positions on tax and illicit financial flow issues.

• STC Sub-Committee on Tax and Illicit Financial Flows
• Continental initiatives to combat illicit financial flows
• International tax cooperation
• Domestic resource mobilisation policy work
• Engagement with partners such as ATAF, UNECA, TJNA, and other relevant institutions

Sovereign Debt

The Division supports the African Union’s work on debt sustainability, responsible borrowing, debt restructuring, and reform of the global financial architecture from a sovereign debt perspective. This work is especially important at a time when many African countries face rising debt service costs, tighter financing conditions, and reduced fiscal space for development spending.

The Division contributes to the development and implementation of continental positions and initiatives, including the Lomé Declaration on Debt and the Common African Position on Debt. It also supports Africa’s engagement in global debt reform processes, including discussions around the G20 Common Framework, debt transparency, comparability of treatment, and reforms to improve the speed and fairness of debt resolution.

• Lomé Declaration on Debt
• Common African Position on Debt
• G20 Common Framework

Economic Development

The Division undertakes policy analysis and coordination on Africa’s economic development priorities, with a focus on inclusive growth, macroeconomic policy, structural transformation, sustainable financing, and implementation of Agenda 2063.

Its work supports Member States and AU organs in addressing major economic challenges, including low productivity, limited fiscal space, external shocks, debt pressures, infrastructure financing gaps, and the need to expand productive investment for structural transformation.

Digital Payment Services

The Division supports policy work on digital payment systems as part of Africa’s wider agenda for financial integration, trade facilitation, and inclusive economic development. Digital payment services are important for cross-border trade, SME growth, financial inclusion and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The Division’s work includes coordination with relevant partners and institutions on policy frameworks, feasibility studies, regulatory cooperation, and continental approaches to digital payment services.

G20 Finance Track

Following the African Union’s admission as a permanent member of the G20, the Division supports Africa’s technical engagement in the G20 Finance Track. This includes coordination, policy analysis, input into working groups, and support for the articulation of African priorities in global economic governance discussions.

The Division contributes to AU engagement on issues such as international financial architecture reform, sustainable finance, debt sustainability, financial inclusion, climate finance, tax cooperation, and development financing. It also supports the coordination of African perspectives in relevant G20 Finance Track working groups and task forces.