Economy, Foreign, From the Editor-in-Chief
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.
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.
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.
To host the Forum, the Government of Senegal, is teaming up with the Development Centre of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development; and the African Union, along with partners Casa Africa, le Cercle des Economistes, the French Development Agency, AFD, and the Sahel and West Africa Club, SWAC.
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.
Honourable speakers include:
· Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal
· Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar
· Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé, Prime Minister of Togo
· Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
· Angel Gurría, Secretary-General, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
· Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the 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, Honarary President , Cercle des Economistes
– Feb. 20, 2021 @ 14:58 GMT
Tags: Media Advisory 20th International Economic Forum on Africa
