ECA to partner with private sector in effort to spur growth in Africa, says Songwe

Abstract

The Economic Commission for Africa will soon be partnering with the private sector to ensure the sector plays a role in delivering growth and prosperity in Africa. In remarks during a meeting with the Fifth Committee, a committee of the United Nations General Assembly responsible for administrative and budgetary matters that is currently in Addis Ababa, ECA Executive Secretary Vera Songwe said the private sector has a critical role to play as the engine of economic growth in Africa. Ms. Songwe gave the committee a strategic overview of work of the ECA, on-going efforts to restructure the organization, including regional Commissions, and related issues. She highlighted topical issues on the ECA’s focus, including supporting member States to implement Agenda 2030 for sustainable development and the African Union’s 50-year development plan, Agenda 2063; post-Cotonou Agreement negotiations; migration; climate change; gender; agriculture; energy; trade and regional integration, especially following the recent signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in Kigali, Rwanda, by 44 countries. The committee later toured the ECA’s award-winning Print Shop, the iconic Africa Hall that is undergoing renovations for better utilization of this famous landmark venue.