The Africa Economic Zones Organization held on December 3rd, 2020, in conjunction with the “AfCFTA Business Forum”, its 5th Annual meeting as a virtual transmission, under the theme: “The Role of Economic Zones in supporting the implementation of the AfCFTA and Regional Integration“.
The event is organized in partnership with The African Union Commission and The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr Fouad Brini, Chairman of Tanger Med and Honorary President of the Africa Economic Zones Organization as well as Mr Albert Muchanga, Commissioner of Trade and Industry within the African Union. The ceremony was followed by speeches by the President of the African Development Bank Mr. Akinwumi Adesina, the Senior Director in charge of investments and enterprise within UNCTAD Mr. James. Zhan, the President of AFRIXIMBANK Dr. Benedict Oramah, and of the Deputy Director General within the World Trade Organization Dr Yonov Frederick Agah.
The event saw the participation of several high-level experts who came to discuss the implementation of the continental free trade agreement (AfCFTA), the contribution of economic zones as well as the challenges and opportunities to generate growth, encourage regional integration and support the development of intra-African trade.
Four models of economic zone development were also demonstrated during this meeting: Tanger Med Zones for Morocco, the Department of Trade and Industry for South Africa, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority for Nigeria and Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority for Djibouti.
During the closing ceremony, Mr Ahmed BENNIS, Secretary General of The Africa Economic Zones Organization stated : “African economic zones must offer better conditions to attract more investments, contribute to the development of value chains and support the creation of a single and united market within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement ”.
Nearly 500 delegates tuned in online for this important event representing 68 countries including 63 African economic zones, 30 partners and experts, as well as several representatives of government authorities, international institutions and public and private organizations.
The Africa Economic Zones Organization (AEZO) was founded in November 2015 by Tanger Med Group with the participation of representatives from several other African economic zones. It brings together the main African economic zones and institutions in charge of the development, management and promotion of economic zones in Africa and also offers a platform of exchange and knowledge sharing for the benefit of the economic zones ecosystem in Africa. AEZO is comprised today of 80 members representing 42 African countries.