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

• 
  ECA supports Niger in harnessing the demographic dividend

  by minilik.demissie on April 17, 2026

  15 April, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintDosso, Niger, 15 April 2026 (ECA) – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its Sub-Regional Office for West Africa (SRO-WA), is providing technical support to Niger in organizing a strategic workshop in Dosso. This initiative aims to strengthen national capacities for monitoring the demographic dividend and integrating Demographic Dividend-Sensitive Budgeting (DDSB) into planning and budget programming processes. From April 8 to 13, national experts will work on three major areas: Updating the Demographic Dividend Monitoring Synthetic Index (DDMI) – by collecting and updating indicators based on the most recent data, with backcasting or extrapolation through 2025; Post-2020 budget transformation – by converting conventional budgets using a demographic dividend-sensitive approach; Analyzing results achieved for operationalizing the DDSB approach – to sustainably embed this methodology into Niger’s planning and budget programming tools. This workshop is part of the implementation of the continental roadmap adopted by African Union Heads of State and Government in 2017, which establishes the capture of the demographic dividend as crucial for driving sustainable development in Africa. This technical assistance reflects the ECA’s ongoing commitment to supporting Niger on its path toward emergence by 2030 and the achievement of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goals.

• 
  ECA convenes leaders and youth entrepreneurs to unlock regional value chains ahead of the Africa Development Impact Forum

  by minilik.demissie on April 16, 2026

  14 April, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintLusaka, 14 April 2025 — The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA), in collaboration with the ECA African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) and the Office of the Executive Secretary, convened a high-level virtual webinar on the theme "Unlocking Regional Value Chains: Empowering Youth-Led Enterprises in Africa to Thrive Under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)." The webinar — the fourth in the ECA's Stock-Taking Webinar Series — forms part of the engagement ahead of the inaugural African Development Impact Forum (ADIF), scheduled for 11 and 12 June 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ADIF is ECA's flagship solutions platform, focused on the theme "Best Practices and Innovative Solutions for Job Creation in Africa." With nearly 70% of Africa's population under the age of 30, and the continent faced with the task to generate approximately 15 million jobs annually to absorb its rapidly growing workforce, youth unemployment has emerged as one of the most pressing development challenges of our time. In Southern Africa, the situation is particularly acute. Youth unemployment exceeds 60% in South Africa and ranges between 35–40% in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini. Compounding the challenge, 70–80% of African businesses fail within their first five years — not due to a lack of ideas, but due to inadequate financing, weak market linkages, and systemic barriers to regional and global trade. Opening the Forum, Ms. Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane, Director of IDEP, reaffirmed ECA's commitment to moving beyond rhetoric. "ADIF is not another conference. It is an action-oriented platform — built to systematically translate research and evidence into measurable outcomes," she said. "We are not arriving in June with open questions. We are arriving with practical recommendations, co-created solutions, and a clear plan for implementation." Ms. Ben Soltane emphasized that ADIF operates through a deliberate three-stage process: identifying high-potential solutions before the Forum, refining them with stakeholders, and launching an Implementation Clock to sustain post-Forum momentum and track progress. Ms. Eunice G. Kamwendo, Director of ECA SRO-SA, called for a fundamental shift in how Africa approaches youth economic inclusion — from treating young people as job seekers to empowering them as job creators, and from fragmented markets to integrated regional value chains. "If we are serious about unlocking regional value chains for youth, then we must act decisively — each of us playing a role in creating solutions to unleash this potential," Ms. Kamwendo stated, calling on governments, financial institutions, the private sector, and development partners to act in a concrete and coordinated manner. "Africa's future will not be built for youth — it must be built with them and by them," she added. The webinar spotlighted compelling examples of African youth already transforming constraints into opportunity. Ms. Kamwendo also shared the story of Gugulethu Siso, a young Zimbabwean entrepreneur who built Thumeza — a logistics platform — after struggling to send basic goods to her grandmother in a rural village. What began as a logistics solution has evolved into a platform that enables small transporters to access working capital and receive faster payments. Thumeza now operates across Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, and Uganda, and is actively positioning to leverage opportunities from the AfCFTA. Ms. Tasha Chitika, Founder of Wingy General Dealers (Zambia), shared her first-hand experience as a cross-border trader, highlighting practical enablers that allowed her youth-led enterprise importing salt from Botswana and Namibia to integrate into regional value chains — including transport pooling with fellow SMEs, use of the SADC Certificate of Origin for tax-free benefits, and mobile money payments for security and efficiency. She flagged lack of access to information and foreign exchange facilities at the border as constraints to doing business. Mr. Saul Levin, Executive Director, Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), examined the landscape facing youth-led enterprises seeking to access regional value chains. He analysed structural impediments to integrating youth-led SMEs into value chains at national, regional, and continental levels. Mr. Khulekani Mathe of the SADC Business Council highlighted limited work experience and skills and education gaps as key factors affecting youth employment and enterprise development. He stressed the importance of fostering linkages between youth-led SMEs and Multinationals as a means to address such gaps. Ms. Katrina Amupolo, Manager at the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), outlined how government institutions can play a catalytic role — connecting entrepreneurs to regional networks, unlocking youth finance through credit guarantee mechanisms and supporting innovation through initiatives such as the “Scale Up Namibia” programme. Mr. Misheck Gondo, Regional Coordinator of the Southern African Youth Forum (SAYoF), while delivering the Vote of Thanks, underscored the critical importance of cross-institutional partnerships in translating dialogue into impact. The webinar was moderated by Ms. Bineswaree Bolaky, Economic Affairs Officer, ECA SROSA. She highlighted that ECA was developing AfCFTA Step-by-Step Guides for the private sector to bridge information and implementation gaps.  In her concluding remarks, Ms. Zodwa Mabuza, Regional Advisor at ECA SRO-SA, briefed participants on the way forward and highlighted the concrete outcomes anticipated at ADIF in June 2026. The webinar series will continue over a six-month period, crowdsourcing insights across sectors and regions to build a shared, inclusive knowledge base — ensuring that when stakeholders convene in Addis Ababa, they arrive equipped with evidence-based, actionable solutions aligned with Africa's Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. About ADIF The African Development Impact Forum (ADIF) is ECA's flagship solutions platform, designed as an action-oriented, multi-stage initiative that bridges research, policy, and implementation. Its inaugural edition — focused on job creation — will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in June 2026. ADIF is complementary to existing ECA platforms, including the Annual Conference of Ministers, the Africa Business Forum, and the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development. Issued by: The Sub-Regional Office for Southern AfricaUN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)P.O. Box 30647, Lusaka, Zambia. Media Contacts: Ms. Lavender DegreCommunication OfficerTel: +260 211 228502/5 Ext. 21307DL: +260 211 376607Email: lavender.degre@un.org

• 
  Africa urged to strengthen debt governance through data and technology as ECA launches new report

  by minilik.demissie on April 9, 2026

  1 April, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintTangier, Morocco, 1 April 2026 – African countries must strengthen debt governance systems through better use of data, technology, and institutional reform to safeguard fiscal sustainability and support development, participants heard at a high-level side event held during the Conference of Ministers (CoM 2026). The event, titled “Leveraging Data and Technology to Strengthen Domestic Resource Mobilization and Debt Governance in Africa,” brought together policymakers, development partners, and experts to explore how digital tools can enhance transparency, accountability, and fiscal resilience. ECA Launches Economic Governance Report (EGR3) The session marked the official launch of the third edition of the Economic Governance Report (EGR3) by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Delivering opening remarks on behalf of Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist Hanan Morsi, Stephen Karingi emphasized: “Africa’s debt challenge is not primarily about how much is borrowed, but how debt is governed.” He highlighted that tightening global financial conditions, rising interest rates, and geopolitical pressures are increasing fiscal strain across the continent, making stronger governance systems essential. Debt Sustainability is a Governance Issue Presenting the report, Gamal Ibrahim stressed that debt sustainability must go beyond traditional metrics: “Debt sustainability is fundamentally about institutions, transparency, and how effectively debt supports development.” The report finds that: Over 40% of African countries spend more on debt servicing than on health Debt data systems remain fragmented and incomplete Weak coordination and oversight continue to undermine fiscal discipline EGR3 proposes a “growth-enhancing governance” approach, focusing on: Stronger institutional coordination Integrated and transparent data systems Alignment of borrowing with national development priorities Participants underscored that data systems are central to effective fiscal governance. Integrated digital platforms can improve risk monitoring, strengthen decision-making, and enhance coordination across tax, debt, and budget systems. However, speakers cautioned that technology must be supported by: Strong legal frameworks Institutional capacity Skilled human resources Without these, digital tools cannot deliver meaningful impact. Discussions also highlighted the importance of international tax cooperation and digitalized tax systems in strengthening domestic resource mobilization. Improved data sharing and inclusive global tax frameworks can help African countries: Expand their tax base Reduce illicit financial flows Enhance fiscal space for development Call for Coordinated Action Participants called for: Integrated debt data frameworks Stronger legal and regulatory systems Investment in technical capacity Greater African coordination in global financial governance The session concluded with a shared message: Africa’s fiscal future depends not only on access to financing, but on how effectively it is governed. 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

• 
  African leaders champion sovereign data embassies to strengthen economic security and continental integration

  by minilik.demissie on April 8, 2026

  3 April, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintTangier, 03 April 2026 (ECA) - High-level policymakers, global and continental tech leaders at the 58th Session of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Conference of Ministers, have signaled a decisive shift in the continent’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) trajectory. Moving from being passive consumers of technology to the primary architects of DPI and sovereign data solutions, leaders at the roundtable titled "Empowering Africa’s Future: Advancing Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Centres and Sovereignty," agreed that digital independence is now a prerequisite for economic security and national resilience. While reaffirming DPI as the foundational “rail” of Africa’s digital transformation, panellists stressed that the continent must now move beyond infrastructure toward the “train”, the intelligence. As Africa transitions into an intelligence-driven era, the focus must shift toward fostering local talent for data processing, computing, and AI model training to ensure AI solutions address regional needs. Highlighting the urgency of this transition, Américo Muchanga, Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation of the Republic of Mozambique, remarked that DPI has become as vital to modern life as electricity. He emphasized that nations must now possess the strategic clarity to classify their data, deciding which assets remain on-premises or within sovereign clouds to ensure that African data remains under African control. This sentiment was echoed by Pius Stephen Chaya, Deputy Minister, President’s Office for Planning and Investment, Tanzania, who highlighted that for such infrastructure to drive impact, a holistic and collaborative public-private partnership approach is required, anchored in robust cybersecurity and personal data protection laws to safeguard national sovereignty. This shift toward self-reliance was stressed to be matched by a new era of “Mega Execution”, moving beyond policy conceptualization to tangible rollout. In Botswana, the government is utilizing its Universal Access and Service Fund, a 1% levy on mobile service providers to connect the last mile of schools and villages. Ndaba Gaolathe, Vice President and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Botswana, noted that while the continent has historically excelled at policy planning, it has often faltered in implementation. He asserted we must now strictly prioritize execution by dismantling every legislative bottleneck to ensure that technology projects deliver tangible benefits to citizens. A central theme of the discussion was that AI needs a home. Mr. Adil el Youssefi, CEO of Africa Data Centres, Cassava Technologies emphasized the urgent need for “AI factories” to host and process African data locally, noting that the continent must increase its data center capacity tenfold to close the current gap, where Africa generates less than 1% of global data despite representing nearly 20% of the world’s population.  AI factories, supported by reliable and affordable energy, are essential to building Africa’s intelligence infrastructure. To de-risk such large-scale investments and ensure sustainable returns, a call was made for governments to act as anchor clients to stimulate demand, while accelerating the digitization of public services to generate high-quality, fit-for-purpose data. The importance of developing national sovereign clouds and advancing regional integration through innovative models such as “data embassies.” was also stressed. These models enable countries to pool demand and resources, while ensuring that the economic value of Africa’s data is retained within the continent. Ambassador Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology for the Republic of Kenya, stated that the era of mimicry in African tech policy is over. He emphasized that “Africa must prioritize local data processing and auditable systems that reflect local languages and the continent’s realities”. This way the continent can move beyond foreign data exploitation and models that are deeply rooted in African socioeconomic contexts. He underscored that the world has entered an “age of intelligence”, requiring the development of digital public intelligence supported by local-language AI models. From an inclusion perspective, the discussion addressed the persistent usage gap, noting that nearly one billion Africans remain offline despite living within reach of a mobile signal. Representing the industry perspective, Mrs. Angela Wamola of GSMA called for the urgent removal of duties on mobile devices and entry-level smartphones to ensure inclusive access to the digital economy. The need to measure the economic impact of digital transformation was emphasized by the Executive Secretary of the ECA, Mr. Claver Gatete, who noted that if the impact of technology on GDP cannot be measured, it cannot be monetized. To secure this sovereign digital transition towards economic security, the dialogue identified a critical need to strengthen national statistical systems, asserting that well-funded statistics offices are vital for measuring the real impact of technology on GDP, informing evidence-based policy, and ensuring national accountability. The session concluded with a call to translate the African Union AI Strategy into actionable local frameworks that mandate dedicated funding for data governance. This investment is essential to mitigate the true cost of digital dependence and ensure that data and AI are utilized not merely as technologies but as the primary drivers of sovereign continental productivity. 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

• 
  “The legacy of IDEP is making a difference in Africa,” says Sierra Leone’s Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs

  by minilik.demissie on April 8, 2026

  27 March, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintDakar, Senegal, 27 March 2026 - The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) hosted Amara Kallon, Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs of Sierra Leone, who paid a courtesy visit aimed at reaffirming IDEP’s growing influence in shaping effective public administration across the continent. During the visit, Minister Kallon paid tribute to IDEP’s transformational impact on African governance systems, noting that generations of Sierra Leonean leaders were trained at IDEP, including former ministers, senior civil servants, and technical experts. “This institution has produced the people who are today leading Sierra Leone,” he said. “The legacy of IDEP is making a difference in Africa.” The Minister highlighted how his own professional journey was influenced by IDEP’s training and how this experience guided his leadership of Sierra Leone’s ambitious public service reform agenda. He recalled that the Ministry he now leads has been transformed over the past five years into one of Sierra Leone’s top governance institutions. A central highlight of the collaboration is the creation of the Sierra Leone Public Service Academy, an initiative inspired by Minister Kallon’s experience and now backed by comprehensive IDEP support. The official proclamation of the Academy by the President of Sierra Leone is scheduled for 23 July 2026, will mark a major milestone in public sector modernization. IDEP’s team welcomed the Minister’s strong vote of confidence and reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to the full operationalization of the Academy, including institutional strengthening and comprehensive capacity‑building efforts. The Sierra Leone Ambassador to Senegal also expressed gratitude and pledged the government’s continued support, noting that many of Sierra Leone’s senior officials are IDEP alumni. Looking forward, the Minister called for the strengthening of the IDEP Alumni Network, encouraging the creation of regular forums, visiting lectureships, and alumni‑led support initiatives. “We, the alumni, are scattered across Africa in positions of influence,” he said. “We must come together to support IDEP’s mission and inspire the next generation.” The session concluded with a renewed commitment from both sides to deepen collaboration and continue advancing public service excellence on the continent. IDEP reaffirmed that Sierra Leone’s reform efforts stand as a flagship example of the Institute’s mission to strengthen African institutions and enhance public administration systems across the region. 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

• 
  African financial institutions call for coordinated financing solutions to unlock Africa’s digital transformation

  by minilik.demissie on April 8, 2026

  2 April, 2026Share this:facebooktwitteremailprintTangier, Morocco, 2 April 2026 — African multilateral financial institutions, policymakers, development partners, and private sector leaders have called for more coordinated, innovative, and better-structured financing approaches to support Africa’s digital and technological transformation. This was a key message from a high-level session held on April 1 on the sidelines of the 58th Session of the Economic Commission for Africa Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, under the theme “Financing for Innovation: The Role of African Multilateral Financial Institutions in Accelerating Africa’s Technological and Economic Transformation.” The session brought together senior representatives from governments, African multilateral financial institutions, and development partners to examine how to mobilize long-term, affordable capital for digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and innovation-led sectors—critical drivers of productivity, job creation, and structural transformation. Despite the rapid expansion of Africa’s digital economy, participants underscored that access to affordable, long-term financing remains a binding constraint. High costs of capital, limited risk-sharing mechanisms, currency risks, and insufficient early-stage financing continue to inhibit investment in digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystems. These challenges are further compounded by gaps in project preparation and the limited availability of bankable investment opportunities. Opening the session, Hanan Morsy, Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme) and Chief Economist at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, emphasized: “Africa’s innovation challenge is not a shortage of ideas, but a shortage of long-term, affordable, and well-structured financing. Addressing this will be critical to unlocking productivity, job creation, and structural transformation across the continent.” Participants highlighted the need to address the disconnect between capital availability and actual investment in innovation-driven sectors. Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President-Global Trade Bank at African Export-Import Bank, noted: “One of Africa’s key challenges is not a lack of capital, but a shortage of bankable projects and stronger institutional collaboration to scale investment.” Strengthening project preparation, improving pipeline development, and deepening coordination across institutions were identified as key priorities to unlock large-scale financing. Participants also emphasized the need to adapt financing approaches through blended and risk-sharing structures, combining guarantees, advisory, and capital mobilization to better align with the risk-return profiles of technology and innovation-driven sectors. Adeniran Aderogba, President and CEO of Regional Maritime Development Bank, stated: “In the technology space, risk is harder to structure. We need more creative financing models and dedicated funds to support early-stage innovation.” The discussion highlighted the need for expanded use of tailored financial instruments including blended finance, co-financing mechanisms, and dedicated innovation to support the full lifecycle of innovation from early-stage development to scale. The session also underscored that financing innovation must go hand in hand with investments in enabling infrastructure and systems. Robert Lisinge, Director of Technology, Innovation, Connectivity and Infrastructure at ECA, noted: “Technology and innovation go beyond digital. We are talking about a broader ecosystem—including infrastructure, energy, and emerging technologies—all of which require significant investment.” Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening regulatory frameworks, digital infrastructure, and innovation ecosystems to enable scalable and sustainable investment. The session concluded with a strong call to move beyond traditional financing approaches toward more coordinated and practical solutions that can: Reduce financing costs for digital and innovation sectors Expand risk-sharing and co-financing mechanisms Strengthen project preparation and pipeline development Mobilize long-term capital at scale Enhance collaboration among African institutions and partners Organized by the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions and partners, the session forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Africa’s financial architecture and position African multilateral financial institutions at the center of financing the continent’s digital and economic transformation. About the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI) or the Africa Club The Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), also known as the Africa Club, is an alliance of African-owned and controlled multilateral financial institutions established to advance the interests of their member states in global finance and to promote coordinated African solutions to development financing challenges. Launched on 17 February 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the margins of the African Union Summit, AAMFI works to strengthen collaboration, cooperation, and coordination among its members in support of Africa’s sustainable development and integration objectives. AAMFI brings together leading African financial institutions, including the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group), African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re), African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company), East African Development Bank (EADB), African Solidarity Fund (ASF), and the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), as well as new members including the Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB) and the West African Development Bank (BOAD). Collectively, AAMFI members command a balance sheet exceeding US$70 billion, providing critical financing for trade, infrastructure, and development across the continent. Media Contact: Ms. Senait AfeworkCommunication and Programme ManagerEmail: safework@aamfi.org