New Report on Assessing Regional Integration in Africa Features intra-African Trade at the ADB Annual Meetings

Abstract

“Africa’s ultimate development depends on the success of its regional integration efforts”, according to United Nations under Secretary General and ECA Executive Secretary Mr. Abdoulie Janneh. The report, titled “Enhancing intra-African trade” was launched during the annual meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) as a side event organized under the umbrella of the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CodA). The launch took the form of a high level policy discussion led by the Chair of the Board of CodA and former President of Botswana, Mr. Festus Mogae. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mr. Jean Ping; and the President of the African Development Bank (ADfB) Mr. Donald Kaberuka; attended the launching ceremony. In his statement, Mr. Mogae commended the high quality and the comprehensive nature of ARIA IV. He urged African countries to tap into the wealth of knowledge and information contained in the report to design policies that would increase trade among themselves.