United Nations Economic Commission for Africa - Ideas for a prosperous Africa

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  Can fashion deliver jobs and cultural confidence in Africa?

  by eskinder.tsegaye on February 11, 2026

  11 February, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintAddis Ababa, 11 February 2026 (ECA) - In a garment studio in Addis Ababa, hundreds of young women work behind rows of sewing machines, cutting fabric for local and export markets. Some enrolled after years working as domestic labourers abroad. Others came seeking work in a city where formal jobs are scarce. A number are former sex workers rebuilding their lives through training and paid work. For Sara Mohammed, the school’s founder, the studio addresses a gap she saw while traveling internationally as a fashion model. On major runways, she rarely encountered Ethiopian garments. What she did see was how branding translated into contracts, factory orders and jobs - a link she felt was missing at home. In 2004, she founded Next Fashion Design College in Addis Ababa to connect training directly to employment. Over time, the programme expanded to support returnee migrants and women seeking re-entry into the formal economy. Sara said since its launch, the college has trained more than 5,800 women, about 30 per cent on full scholarships. Graduates leave with technical skills and, in some cases, sewing equipment, enabling them to earn income soon after completing the programme. For Tebiba Seid, a returnee migrant, the training was transformative. “Five years ago, I returned from an Arab country and was given the opportunity to train as a designer at Next Fashion Design College,” she said. “It was a fresh start in my life, and I’m grateful.” Ms Mohammed did not stop at training. She also pushed to bring Ethiopian garments onto international platforms. “We showcased in New York, DC, Berlin, Paris, and Milan,” she said. “Now they know we have very good 100 per cent handwoven pure cotton in Ethiopia.” Showcasing abroad, however, has not eliminated resistance. Ms Mohammed said some international distributors have resisted labeling garments as made in Africa, citing concerns about consumer perception rather than quality. “The major case is we as Africans are not accepting ‘Made in Africa,’” she said. “People want to show the brand is from America or Europe.” The question of how African fashion is seen, and by whom, is central to the work of Shiri Achu, a Cameroonian visual artist whose work draws heavily on African textile traditions. Working from studios in Cameroon, the UK and the US, Ms Achu created what she calls a Pan-African fabric, bringing together motifs from nine African countries into a single textile. “I thought, why not merge all of this so people can understand and celebrate other people’s culture,” she said. The project has invited designers from each of the nine countries represented on the fabric to create their own interpretations, with a showcase planned at the Smithsonian in September 2026. For Ms Achu, the fabric is an exercise in unity across borders. Yet that visibility also influences demand, and demand shapes markets. Rahel Edegilign, founder of the Addis Ababa-based fashion brand Rahela, has navigated cross-border markets directly. Rather than exporting at scale, she began by placing her designs in stores in Ghana and Kenya through relationships built at fashion shows and through direct outreach. Back in Addis Ababa, she adopted a similar model. Her store now carries garments from other designers, giving them access to retail space and customers. “The same way other people did it for me in Ghana and Kenya,” she said, “I decided to do it here as well.” Advocates of the African Continental Free Trade Area argue that lowering trade barriers could help designers reach buyers beyond their home countries. Yet trade policy alone will not be enough to build regional markets. Designers still need the capacity to produce at scale, logistics that function across borders and customers willing to buy African-made brands. According to a 2023 UNESCO report, Africa exports about $15.5 billion worth of textiles, clothing and footwear annually, while importing more than $23 billion, underscoring the gap between production and market capture At policy level, the focus is on how creative industries can absorb labour at scale, with the private sector playing a central role. “Africa’s growing youth population is creative, energetic and increasingly educated,” said Zuzana Schwidrowski, Director of Gender, Poverty and Social Policy at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). “Job creation will largely depend on private-sector activity, particularly as the role of the public sector becomes more constrained.” The question now is whether visibility, policy and entrepreneurship can converge fast enough to absorb a generation entering the labour market. For Ms Mohammed and others building institutions on the ground, the answer will determine whether fashion becomes a durable employer or remains a niche industry. This article draws on interviews conducted for ECA’s Sustainable Africa Series. Issued by:Communications SectionEconomic Commission for AfricaPO Box 3001Addis AbabaEthiopiaTel: +251 11 551 5826E-mail: eca-info@un.org

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  Securing Cameroon’s blue future: from grassroots action to data-driven decision-making

  by eskinder.tsegaye on February 9, 2026

  30 January, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintYaoundé, 30 January 2026 (ECA) – To raise awareness for better protection, and to measure for better valuation: this was the core ambition of "Cameroon’s Blue Economy Week." Organized from January 24 to 30, 2026, by the Sub-Regional Office for Central Africa and the Regional Integration and Trade Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), this initiative demonstrated that environmental preservation, social protection, and economic prosperity are three inseparable dimensions of the same vision. While transforming aquatic resources into drivers of sustainable growth is vital for poverty reduction, it must not come at the expense of ecosystem balance and the lives and livelihoods of the communities who depend on them. The journey began on January 24, along the shores of Douala, Limbe, and Buea. Moving beyond the formality of conference halls, ECA chose to anchor its action in the sand, alongside 500 young volunteers. Joining the fourth annual edition of the "Cameroon Beach Clean-up" was more than a sanitation exercise; it was a powerful act of civic responsibility and intergenerational solidarity. Spanning the beaches of Douala (500 meters), Limbe (700 meters), and Buea (3 kilometers), this mobilization was led by the Association for Community Awareness (ASCOA), and conducted in partnership with other civil society organizations such as For Earth’s Sake and Earth Care Purpose. As a result, wesuccessfully removed 4.46 tons of waste. By clearing the coastlines of pollution, the volunteers underscored a fundamental truth: there can be no blue economy without a preserved environment. As Jean Luc Mastaki, Director of the ECA Sub-Regional Office, noted: "Seeing these young people pull entire bags of plastic from the riverbanks reminds us that the blue economy is not just about figures and spreadsheets. It is rooted in the commitment of citizens who protect, every day, the ecosystems upon which our collective prosperity depends." The transition to the technical phase in Yaoundé (January 27–30) translated this environmental urgency into strategic indicators. Cameroon has now joined the growing circle of African nations implementing the ECA’s Blue Economy Valuation Toolkit(BEVTK), a vital compass for guiding public policy. Preliminary data highlights the sector's critical importance: the blue economy already accounts for 5.8% of national GDP and supports 3% of all jobs in Cameroon. Even more striking is the estimated value of ecosystem services (those often-overlooked natural benefits) which stands at 22.6 trillion CFA francs. "We can only value what we can measure," emphasized Adama Ekberg Coulibaly, Head of the Sub-Regional Initiatives Section at the ECA. This assessment is far from a mere accounting exercise; it is an act of protection for the communities whose survival depends directly on the health of our waters. The success of this week rests primarily on the ownership of these tools by national stakeholders. Intensive training for government officials, private sector representatives, and civil society members has forged a robust technical core. By mastering the BEVTK, these experts are becoming the architects of an inclusive blue economy, capable of steering national strategy in alignment with Cameroon’s Vision 2035 and the NDS30. Soumaya Iraqui, Head of the Economic Diversification Policy Reforms Section at the ECA, stated: "Our ultimate satisfaction lies in the national partners' ability to deeply grasp the BEVTK logic, enrich local data, and translate results into impactful messages for policymakers, ensuring the autonomous update of this assessment in the future." Supported by Denmark (DANIDA), this initiative marks the start of a profound movement. Cameroon is no longer merely exploiting its resources; it is learning to cherish and manage them with intelligence, securing a prosperous future for generations to come. Media QueriesZacharie Roger MBARGA - Communications OfficerUnited Nations Economic Commission for Africa637, rue 3.069, Quartier du Lac, Yaoundé, CameroonTel: (+237) 222504348E-mail: zacharie.mbargayene@un.org Issued by:Communications SectionEconomic Commission for AfricaPO Box 3001Addis AbabaEthiopiaTel: +251 11 551 5826E-mail: eca-info@un.org

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  Cameroon’s 22 trillion blue potential: strategic shift towards data-driven growth

  by eskinder.tsegaye on February 9, 2026

  30 January, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintYaoundé, 30 January 2026 (ECA) – Cameroon has officially established a transformative strategic framework to harness its vast aquatic and maritime heritage. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development (MINEPAT) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Sub-Regional Office for Central Africa, with support from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), nearly 40 national experts (drawn from the fisheries, tourism, energy, environment, and statistics sectors) have completed an intensive certification in blue economy valuation. This cohort now forms the specialized technical committee tasked with steering the development of the forthcoming national blue economy Strategy. An Untapped Frontier for Economic Expansion Cameroon sits upon a sleeping blue giant. The high-level proceedings held in Yaounde from January 27–30 revealed the profound scale of this untapped resource. "Through an integrated partnership with MINEPAT, the National Institute of Statistics (INS), and our key stakeholders, an initial assessment has been finalized. Preliminary data indicate that the blue economy contributes approximately 5.8% to the national GDP and accounts for nearly 3% of total employment. Even more significant is the value of ecosystem services, estimated at 22.6 trillion FCFA," noted Soumaya Iraqui-Houssaini, Chief of the Economic Diversification Policy Reforms Section at ECA SROCA. Though provisional, these findings demonstrate that agriculture, forestry, and fisheries alone generate 68.28% of the blue sector's gross value added. To translate these insights into a nationwide economic catalyst, stakeholders have validated a suite of national indicators designed to produce harmonized, high-quality statistics. For Jean Luc Mastaki, Director of the ECA Sub-Regional Office for Central Africa, this represents a leap toward strategic sovereignty: "With this primary data and a shared methodological foundation, Cameroon is now set to establish the blue economy as a cornerstone of diversification, resilience, and decent job creation. The nation is now equipped with the empirical evidence required to inform budgetary trade-offs and direct high-impact investments toward value-added sectors." This rigorous scientific approach was lauded by national authorities. Smith Enow Arrey, Technical Advisor and Representative of the Minister of Economy, stated: "The Government highly values this data-driven approach, which allows us to explore the full spectrum of possibilities. Our objective is to transition Cameroon into an upper-middle-income country by 2035, fundamentally improving the quality of life for our citizens by leveraging our blue potential." Sustainability and Institutional Ownership The success of this initiative is rooted in total national ownership. The capacity-building efforts undertaken this week ensure that the assessment of blue potential is not a singular event, but a continuous institutional process integrated into the National Statistical System (INS). An intersectoral committee will be established to coordinate multi-sectoral interventions and lead the national strategy. Dedicated "Blue Economy" focal points within each administration will facilitate seamless data collection, while the INS will maintain quality assurance protocols before integrating data into the national dashboard. Building a Resilient Future with the United Nations Activating this blue potential is a critical pillar of Cameroon’s National Development Strategy (NDS30). As Smith Enow Arrey emphasized, the country aims to resolve the paradox of abundant natural resources and persistent poverty through a genuine "paradigm shift." This structural transformation is bolstered by the coordinated support of the United Nations System, mobilizing agencies such as the FAO, UNIDO, UNESCO, UNODC and ILO. Attending the validation workshop, UN Resident Coordinator Issa Sanogo reaffirmed this partnership: "We remain steadfast in our commitment to support the Government of Cameroon in ensuring the blue economy becomes a fully integrated pillar of sustainable development, economic diversification, and employment." Media QueriesZacharie Roger MBARGA - Communications OfficerUnited Nations Economic Commission for Africa637, rue 3.069, Quartier du Lac, Yaoundé, CameroonTel: (+237) 222504348E-mail: zacharie.mbargayene@un.org Issued by:Communications SectionEconomic Commission for AfricaPO Box 3001Addis AbabaEthiopiaTel: +251 11 551 5826E-mail: eca-info@un.org

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  Namibia validates step-by-step guide for trading in goods under AfCFTA , paving way for inclusive continental market access

  by minilik.demissie on February 9, 2026

  6 February, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintWindhoek, Namibia, 5–6 February 2026 (ECA) - The Validation Workshop on the Step-by-Step Guide for Trading in Goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) successfully concluded in Windhoek, marking a significant step in Namibia’s efforts to translate AfCFTA commitments into practical, business-ready tools that support private sector participation in continental trade. Delivering closing remarks on behalf of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Ms Zodwa Mabuza, Chief of the Subregional Initiatives Section at the ECA Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA), expressed appreciation to the Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) and the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) for their strong collaboration and leadership throughout the process. Ms Mabuza highlighted that the next phase would focus on sharing the Guide with key national agencies to further ensure accuracy, after which the finalised Guide will be widely disseminated to promote broad access and effective utilisation. She underscored the importance of keeping the Namibia Trade Information Portal regularly updated and linked with other platforms, including the SADC Online Trade, Technology and Investment platform (STIP) and Aetrade Sokokkuu online trading platform, to enhance transparency and ease of access to trade information. She further noted that the Step-by-Step Guide should be treated as a living tool. While the current Guide focuses on trade in goods, it can be updated over time to reflect other AfCFTA Protocols, including trade in services, in line with the evolving scope of the Agreement. Closing remarks on behalf of Mr Asser Nashikaku, Director of International Trade and Investment at the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, were delivered by Ms Wilma Naukushu-Guedegbe, Policy Analyst at MIRT. She noted that stakeholder feedback clearly demonstrated that the workshop successfully met its objectives. Through focused presentations, plenary discussions, and group work, participants collectively reviewed and validated the draft Step-by-Step Guide and the AfCFTA component of the Namibia Trade Portal. Discussions confirmed the accuracy of regulatory and procedural requirements, identified gaps, clarified processes, and ensured that the Guide is practical, user-friendly, and responsive to the needs of its primary users. The workshop strengthened stakeholders’ shared understanding of the end-to-end trading process under the AfCFTA, enhanced institutional coordination, and increased familiarity with the Trade Information Portal. Importantly, it fostered a strong sense of ownership among stakeholders, which will be critical for the effective use and long-term sustainability of these instruments. Looking ahead, the next phase will focus on consolidating and refining all inputs, comments, and recommendations generated during the validation process to produce a final, Step-by-Step Guide. MIRT will continue to play a coordinating role, working closely with ECA, NCCI, and all relevant national institutions to ensure the timely finalisation, approval, and dissemination of the Guide. Once finalised, attention will shift to broad dissemination, targeted capacity-building initiatives, and promoting active utilisation of the Step-by-Step Guide and the Trade Information Portal by the private sector. In closing, the Ministry reiterated its appreciation to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa for technical support, to the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry for its partnership in mobilising the private sector, and to all stakeholders for their dedication, professionalism, and constructive engagement throughout the process.   FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES Ms. Rosalia Uushona Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) Email: ruushona@mirco.gov.na Ms. Sharon Zaaruka NCCI Marketing and SME Development Officer Email: szaaruka@ncci.org.na Mr. Bedson Nyoni Senior Information Management Assistant ECA Sub-regional Office for Southern Africa Email: nyonib@un.org   Issued by: Communications Section Economic Commission for Africa PO Box 3001 Addis Ababa Ethiopia Tel: +251 11 551 5826 E-mail: eca-info@un.org

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  Monitoring progress on the 'Yamoussoukro Decision' and the Single African Air Transport Market

  by minilik.demissie on February 7, 2026

  5 February, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintNairobi, 05 February 2026 – A three-day technical workshop aimed at strengthening Africa’s Civil Aviation Authorities concluded in Nairobi, focused on enhancing the capacity of national aviation specialists to develop and implement corrective action plans based on the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) Key Performance Indicator (KPI) audits.  The workshop was aimed at equipping audited States to finalize, execute, and monitor these plans, while facilitating knowledge-sharing and lessons learned from the implementation of the Banjul Accord Group Multilateral Air Service Agreement (BAG/MASA). Robert Lisinge, ECA Director for Technology and Infrastructure, emphasized in his opening address: “Effective monitoring of the Yamoussoukro Decision is the cornerstone of a transparent and unified aviation market. Realizing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is not just an aviation goal, but a vital catalyst for the African Continental Free Trade Area.” Mr Lisinge emphasized the need to leverage digitalization to enhance the efficiency of monitoring mechanisms. To this end, ECA is collaborating with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) to digitize the monitoring system, ensuring it is accessible online for all member States. In his address, Abderahmane Berthe, Secretary General of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), affirmed that the association would continue to play its pivotal role in the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision. Representing the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Octavio Oliveira urged African governments to support the audit process and effectively execute their corrective action plans to facilitate evidence-based decision-making and the successful realization of the Yamoussoukro Decision. African aviation Focal Persons from various Civil Aviation Authorities have committed to enhancing collaboration and effectively utilizing the harmonized frameworks and tools developed by AFCAC—the executing agency of the Yamoussoukro Decision. Furthermore, they emphasized the critical necessity for closer cooperation among member States. Issued by: Communications Section Economic Commission for Africa PO Box 3001 Addis Ababa Ethiopia Tel: +251 11 551 5826 E-mail: eca-info@un.org

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  ECA sub-regional office for southern Africa transitions to clean energy with ground-breaking hybrid solar system

  by eskinder.tsegaye on February 6, 2026

  5 February, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintLusaka, Zambia – 5 February 2026 (ECA) – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) today held a Contract Close-Out Session marking the successful completion of a pioneering hybrid photovoltaic (PV) solar system at its Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA) in Lusaka, Zambia. The project represents a significant milestone in the ECA's commitment to sustainable operations and climate resilience. The new hybrid solar system has enabled the office to achieve substantial reductions in generator run-time—from 83.3% to just 8%—resulting in dramatic decreases in fuel consumption, operating costs, and carbon emissions. This makes SRO-SA the first ECA sub-regional office to implement such a comprehensive renewable energy solution. The project was a pragmatic response to severe power supply disruptions experienced from May 2024 as a result of a climate induced emergency. Depleted water reserves at the Kariba hydroelectric dam, caused by severe droughts in 2023/2024, forced the Zambian Electric Power Corporation (ZESCO) to implement nationwide power rationing. The situation left SRO-SA running its backup generator up to 87% of working hours, ultimately leading to generator failure and threatening business continuity. "We are not just talking about energy transition—we are living it," said Ms. Eunice Kamwendo, Director of SRO-SA. "This project helps ECA and the UN practice what we preach, allowing us to work in an environment powered by clean, sustainable and diversified energy system. The benefits of harvesting solar energy are clear: near-zero emissions, significant carbon and cost reductions." The project successfully combined urgent operational requirements with sustainability and climate-resilience objectives through collaboration across multiple ECA entities, including the Facilities Management Section (FMS), Contracts Management Unit (CMU), Procurement Unit, and Administration, Finance and Budget units. Mr. Ergin Obadem, Chief of FMS, highlighted the excellent inter-unit collaboration that enabled project completion within 10 months, noting that the achievement demonstrated ECA's capacity to deliver sustainable solutions under exigent circumstances. The contract close-out session emphasized knowledge capture and institutional learning. Mr. Slavisa Vidakovic, Chief of Supply Chain Management, outlined how the session aimed to identify contractual, procurement, technical, environmental, and project management best practices for application across future ECA initiatives. Ms. Mai-Ellen Russ, Officer in Charge of Administration, emphasized that "the close-out phase represents a critical moment for accountability, shared responsibility, and joint collaboration that ensures best practices inform future initiatives." The lessons-learned exercise captured insights related to emergency response, change management, logistics, and integration of concurrent contracts. These validated contributions from key stakeholders have been memorialized in the ECA repository to strengthen institutional memory, promote continuous improvement, and ensure value-for-money in future infrastructure projects. The hybrid solar system provides: Dramatic reduction in generator dependency: from 83.3% to 8% runtime Near-zero emission energy alternative Significant carbon footprint reduction Enhanced operational resilience and business continuity Reduced fuel consumption and operating costs This pioneering project demonstrates ECA's commitment to mainstreaming environmental sustainability and climate-change adaptation into operational solutions, setting a precedent for other UN facilities across the region. Issued by:The Sub-Regional Office for Southern AfricaUN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)P.O. Box 30647, Lusaka, Zambia. Media Contacts:Ms. Lavender Degre,Communication Officer,Tel: +260 211 228502/5 Ext. 21307DL: +260 211 376607Email: lavender.degre@un.org