A Week in the Horn 21.03.2025
The fifty-seventh session of the Economic Commission for Africa’s Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development was held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa from March 12 to 18. The ministerial segment, which took place on Monday (March 17), was preceded by a preparatory meeting—the forty-third meeting of the Committee of Experts of the Conference of Ministers.
The conference, themed “Advancing the Implementation of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area: Proposing Transformative Strategic Actions,” featured key addresses from Taye Atske-Selassie, President of Ethiopia; Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance of Zimbabwe and Chair of the Outgoing Bureau; Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of UNECA; and Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat. The conference gathered African ministers, central bank governors, senior officials, development partners, and private sector leaders to discuss economic policies and regional integration.
In his opening speech, Finance Minister Ncube emphasized the importance of accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to address global economic challenges.
Following the opening speech by the Chair of the Outgoing Bureau, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the ECA, Gatete, highlighted the critical role of the AfCFTA in reshaping Africa’s economic future. Regarding this, he proposed four strategic actions: strengthening partnerships and investment platforms, enhancing regional value chains and special economic zones, mobilizing domestic resources and curbing illicit financial flows, and improving infrastructure and digital connectivity.
President Taye provided keynote remarks, highlighting Ethiopia’s commitment to continental integration and economic development. During his address, he said, “It is within our power to turn the African Continental Free Trade Area into a reality that benefits all Africans. History will judge this moment not by the agreements we sign but by the true progress we accomplish.”
Other addresses were delivered by AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, who emphasized the significance of the AfCFTA and the collective efforts required to achieve its objectives, outlining the strategic actions necessary for its successful implementation. Following their speeches, various ministers and senior dignitaries from across the continent shared their insights and perspectives, enriching the discourse of the conference.
Participants engaged in high-level policy dialogues and roundtable discussions centered on advancing the implementation of the AfCFTA. Key topics included enhancing regional value chains, promoting cross-border investments, leveraging digital payment systems for financial inclusion, and utilizing special economic zones to bolster regional value chains within the AfCFTA framework. The conference also featured the launch of the Economic Report on Africa 2025, providing insights into the continent’s economic landscape and progress toward regional integration.