Latest news with #UnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforAfrica
The Star
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
UNECA chief urges African brands to boost global visibility
ADDIS ABABA, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Claver Gatete has called on African countries and businesses to intensify efforts to enhance the global visibility and competitiveness of African brands. Gatete made the call on Friday during the unveiling of the "Brand Africa 100: Africa's Best Brands 2025" ranking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, which highlighted the continent's most admired brands. With Africa's rising middle class propelling the continent's consumer market, which is projected to surpass 2.2 trillion U.S. dollars by 2030, Africa's branding story is equally diverse and dynamic across the continent, Gatete said. He cited examples of African innovation and value addition: Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire in cocoa processing, Kenya in mobile banking, Nigeria's creative industries, Rwanda's green transformation initiatives, and South Africa's industrial base. Gatete underscored the continent's demographic advantage, with more than 70 percent of its population under the age of 35, calling it "far-reaching implications" for sustainable development. Despite this potential, he acknowledged that only a handful of African brands have achieved meaningful global visibility, a challenge that must be addressed through coordinated action. To address the challenge, Gatete proposed five strategic pathways to integrate authentic African brands into the continent's broader development agenda and enhance their international competitiveness. "It is imperative that we keep in mind that what defines a brand is not merely a logo or a slogan. An authentic African brand must straddle the embodiment of Africa's stories, culture, and aspirations," he said. Jointly organized by Brand Africa, UNECA, and African Business, the Africa's Best Brands 2025 ranking was determined through a comprehensive survey conducted in 31 countries.
Zawya
09-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
AIM Congress 2025 Enhances Investment Cooperation Prospects Between the UAE, Japan, and Africa
Abu Dhabi, UAE, At AIM Congress 2025, the Africa Regional Forum under the theme 'From Zones to Impact: African SEZs Reimagined' gathered key voices to discuss the evolution of SEZs into innovation-driven, inclusive, and integrated economic ecosystems Laura Paez, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), noted Africa's SEZs have grown from 20 in the 1990s to over 237 by 2020, but many face challenges in diversification and infrastructure. 'There are more than 200 SEZs currently operational across the continent, with varying levels of success. The emerging SEZ 2.0 model emphasizes technology, regional integration, and local value creation aligned with development goals,' said Paez. Jasveer Singh, Cluster Director at Arise IIP, emphasized sustainable industrialization through public-private partnerships. 'We focus on identifying industrial gaps and enabling value-added production at scale through public-private partnerships. Our zones are not just industrial parks — they are platforms for inclusive economic transformation,' said Singh. Gilbert Ewehmeh, Continental Coordinator, Accelerate Africa, called for SEZ models that include SMEs and align with the AfCFTA. 'The standalone model is giving way to interconnected industrial ecosystems that support the full value chain, from raw materials to finished goods. This is the future of SEZs in Africa,' he stated. Dr. Manuel Francisco Pedro, Chairman, Luanda-Bengo SEZ, Angola, stressed stronger governance and infrastructure. 'SEZs must be linked to AfCFTA goals to drive intra-African trade, harmonize standards, and create a coherent investment climate. Institutional support and strong governance are key,' said Dr. Pedro. Japan Talks: Cutting-Edge Innovations Take Center Stage at AIM Congress 2025 In the session 'Japan Talks: Innovations Shaping the World', Japanese leaders showcased next-generation technology and industrial innovation. Miho Sato, Deputy Manager, Yokosuka Research Park (YRP), shared Japan's progress in smart city-focused 6G development. 'We are building the infrastructure to support future urban innovation through 6G and collaborative R&D,' said Sato. Hiroshi Miura, Senior Manager, NTT DATA Group, presented the IOWN technology's role in global data transmission. 'IOWN enables high bandwidth and low latency through light-based data transfer—poised to transform sectors like finance and health,' Miura said. Takaaki Nakamura, Director, NIFCO Inc., emphasized sustainable manufacturing and NIFCO's wide product reach. 'You cannot go more than one meter in Japan without being next to a NIFCO product,' Nakamura remarked. Rashid Al Teneiji, Director of International Business Development, UAE Ministry of Economy, invited deeper UAE-Japan collaboration. 'I hope today's dialogue serves as a launchpad for deeper cooperation between Japan and the UAE,' he said.
Zawya
08-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
11th Regional Forum on Sustainable Development to focus on driving jobs and economic growth
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia -/ African Media Agency(AMA)/- The Eleventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11) is set to take place in Kampala, Uganda, from April 9 to April 11, 2025, preceded by pre-events, such as the Africa Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Forum. This multi-stakeholder forum will be jointly organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Government of Uganda, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, and various United Nations agencies. Under the theme 'Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science-and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063,' ARFSD-11 aims to address the pressing need for concerted action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union's Agenda 2063. With only five years left to meet these ambitious targets, the Forum represents a crucial opportunity to catalyze real change on the Continent. While some progress has been registered on the SDGs as reported in voluntary reviews, the organizing experts worry that Africa, like many parts of the world, is currently off track with most SDG targets and has even seen regression in certain areas. The Forum is being held at a critical time when commitments to enhance the pace of implementation across the continent need to be revitalised. African States need to take bold, ambitious and accelerated transformative measures to improve development outcomes. As part of the ARFSD, countries will participate in a Regional preparatory workshop for African voluntary national reviews and voluntary local reviews, with the aim of strengthening peer-to-peer learning and sharing best practices and success stories in addressing common challenges that are specific to Africa. Furthermore, there is the urgency to implement the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of Agenda 2063, as it directly aligns with the overarching goals of the 2030 Agenda, with ambitions known as 'moonshots' which include the attainment of at least middle-income status and the amicable resolution of conflicts in Africa by 2044. Amplifying Africa's collective voice on the SDGs and Agenda 2063 The annual Forum is coming in the wake of resolutions reached at the 2024 Summit of the Future and the need to push concrete actions for the implementation of the Summit's outcomes. Additionally, the Forum will serve as a preparatory meeting for the Second World Summit for Social Development, set to be held in Qatar in November 2025. This alignment emphasizes the importance of Africa's collective voice on global platforms. The objectives of ARFSD-11 include a comprehensive review of progress, challenges, and opportunities in implementing the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 with specific focus on five key SDGs: SDG 3 (good health and well-being) SDG 5 (gender equality) SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals) and the corresponding goals of Agenda 2063 with a special focus on its second ten-year implementation plan (STYIP) Furthermore, the Forum aims to strengthen learning and advocate for effective policy measures that promote sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions at national, regional, and global levels. It will also facilitate consensus-building and the adoption of key outcome documents, including the Kampala Declaration on sustainable development. As a multi-stakeholder forum, ARFSD-11 will adopt a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and virtual participation from ministers, high-level policymakers, experts, and practitioners across various sectors. Participants will represent ministries responsible for planning, economic development, gender and social affairs, health, environmental management, and more. Additionally, stakeholders from civil society, the private sector, media, academia, and regional organizations will contribute to the discussions, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue. According to the organizing team, Africa is at a pivotal moment, with the potential to significantly advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 from the ground up. The Forum is being organized as one that needs to shape the future of sustainable development across the region. For registration and more: About the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN's five regional commissions, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa's (ECA's) mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its Member States, foster intraregional integration and promote international cooperation for Africa's development. ECA is made up of 54 Member States and plays a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as a key component of the African institutional landscape. For more information, visit: Media Enquiries: and Issued by: Communications Section Economic Commission for Africa PO Box 3001 Addis Ababa Ethiopia E-mail: eca-info@
Zawya
25-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Africa: Experts meet to validate report on labour mobility and free movement
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), is organizing a regional workshop in Mombasa, Kenya from 26 to 27 March 2025 to review and validate a consolidated report on enhancing free movement of persons, labour mobility, and skills portability in Africa. The event forms part of a joint ECA-AUC project aimed at promoting regular migration pathways across the continent and addressing institutional and policy barriers that limit labour mobility. Focused on Ghana, Kenya, and Zambia, the report distills findings from national studies and stakeholder consultations, with practical recommendations for advancing implementation of the AU Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and aligning it with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Participants will include government officials, migration experts, civil society representatives, regional bodies, and international partners. The two-day workshop will also serve as a platform for exchanging experiences and strengthening momentum toward the ratification and operationalization of the Free Movement Protocol. This initiative is part of a wider continental effort to reshape narratives around African migration, maximize its development benefits, and unlock the full potential of intra-African mobility. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
Zawya
24-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
11th Regional Forum on Sustainable Development to focus on driving jobs and economic growth
The Eleventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11) is set to take place in Kampala, Uganda, from April 9 to April 11, 2025, preceded by pre-events, such as the Africa Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Forum. This multi-stakeholder forum will be jointly organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Government of Uganda, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, and various United Nations agencies. Under the theme 'Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science-and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063,' ARFSD-11 aims to address the pressing need for concerted action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union's Agenda 2063. With only five years left to meet these ambitious targets, the Forum represents a crucial opportunity to catalyze real change on the Continent. While some progress has been registered on the SDGs as reported in voluntary reviews, the organizing experts worry that Africa, like many parts of the world, is currently off track with most SDG targets and has even seen regression in certain areas. The Forum is being held at a critical time when commitments to enhance the pace of implementation across the continent need to be revitalised. African States need to take bold, ambitious and accelerated transformative measures to improve development outcomes. As part of the ARFSD, countries will participate in a Regional preparatory workshop for African voluntary national reviews and voluntary local reviews, with the aim of strengthening peer-to-peer learning and sharing best practices and success stories in addressing common challenges that are specific to Africa. Furthermore, there is the urgency to implement the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of Agenda 2063, as it directly aligns with the overarching goals of the 2030 Agenda, with ambitions known as 'moonshots' which include the attainment of at least middle-income status and the amicable resolution of conflicts in Africa by 2044. Amplifying Africa's collective voice on the SDGs and Agenda 2063 The annual Forum also comes against the outcomes of the 2024 Summit of the Future and the need to push concrete actions for the implementation of the Summit's outcomes. Additionally, the Forum will serve as a preparatory meeting for the Second World Summit for Social Development, set to be held in Qatar in November 2025. This alignment emphasizes the importance of Africa's collective voice on global platforms. The objectives of ARFSD-11 include a comprehensive review of progress, challenges, and opportunities in implementing the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 with specific focus on five key SDGs: - SDG 3 (good health and well-being). - SDG 5 (gender equality). - SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth). - SDG 14 (life below water) and - SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals) and the corresponding goals of Agenda 2063 with a special focus on its second ten-year implementation plan (STYIP). Furthermore, the Forum aims to strengthen learning and advocate for effective policy measures that promote sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions at national, regional, and global levels. It will also facilitate consensus-building and the adoption of key outcome documents, including the Kampala Declaration on sustainable development. As a multi-stakeholder forum, ARFSD-11 will adopt a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and virtual participation from ministers, high-level policymakers, experts, and practitioners across various sectors. Participants will represent ministries responsible for planning, economic development, gender and social affairs, health, environmental management, and more. Additionally, stakeholders from civil society, the private sector, media academia, and regional organizations will contribute to the discussions, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue. According to the organizing team, Africa is at a pivotal moment, with the potential to significantly advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 from the ground up. The Forum is being organized as one that needs to shape the future of sustainable development across the region. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
