They are events that bring together experts and policymakers from Africa and around the world to discuss and analyze economic issues facing the continent. These conferences often focus on topics such as economic growth, development, trade, and investment in Africa. They may also address issues such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability.
Government agencies, academic institutions, or international organizations can organize these conferences. They may be held annually, biennially, or on an ad hoc basis, and they may take place in various locations around the continent or internationally. Some examples of African economic conferences include the:
- African Economic Conference
- Africa CEO Forum
- World Economic Forum on Africa
African Economic Conference by UNDP and AFDB (AEC)
The African Economic Conference (AEC) is an annual event organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Development Bank (AFDB). The conference brings together experts, policymakers, and practitioners from Africa and around the world to discuss economic issues facing the continent.
The conference aims to promote dialogue and exchange of ideas on key economic challenges and opportunities facing Africa and to provide a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences on economic policy, research, and analysis.
The AEC typically focuses on topics such as economic growth, development, trade, and investment in Africa and it may address issues such as poverty reduction, inequality, and environmental sustainability.
The conference is held in a different African city each year, and it is typically attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, and the media.
Past African Economic Conferences
Since its inception in 2006, the AEC series has fostered dialogue and the exchange of knowledge on a variety of issues and challenges that Africa is facing.
Past themes of the African Economic Conference
- AEC 2021 – Financing Africa’s post-COVID-19 development, Cabo Verde
- AEC 2020 – Africa beyond COVID-19: Accelerating towards inclusive sustainable development, Virtual
- AEC 2019 – Jobs, entrepreneurship, and capacity development for African youth, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
- AEC 2018 – Regional and Continental Integration for Africa’s Development, Kigali, Rwanda
- AEC 2017 – Governance for structural transformation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- AEC 2016 – Feed Africa: Towards Agro-Allied Industrialization for Inclusive Growth, Abuja, Nigeria
- AEC 2015 – Addressing Poverty and Inequality in the Post-2015 Development Agenda
- 2-4 November 2015, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
- AEC 2014 – Knowledge and Innovation for Africa’s Transformation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- AEC 2013 – Regional Integration in Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
- AEC 2012 – Fostering Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Africa in an Age of Global Economic Uncertainty. Kigali, Rwanda
- AEC 2011 – Green Economy and Structural Transformation in Africa. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- AEC 2010 – Setting the Agenda for Africa’s Economic Recovery and Long-Term Growth. Tunis, Tunisia
- AEC 2009 – Fostering Development in an Era of Financial and Economic Crises
- AEC 2008 – Globalization, Institutions and Economic Development of Africa, Tunis, Tunisia
- AEC 2007 – Opportunities and Challenges of Development for Africa in the Global Arena. UN Conference Centre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- AEC 2006 – Accelerating Africa’s Development Five Years into the 21st Century.
2022 African Economic Conference
The 2022 African Economic Conference (AEC 2022), was jointly organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
Themed: “Supporting Climate-Smart Development in Africa”, and was held in Port Louis, Mauritius, between 9th and 11th December 2022.
The conference brought together a variety of stakeholders—including policymakers, climate experts, the private sector, researchers, and youth, who discussed the challenges posed by climate change, identified opportunities and strategies for adaptation and mitigation, draw lessons from successes, identified key strategies for financing mobilization and drafted an action plan to support the low-carbon and climate-resilient development of Africa.
The AEC 2022 allowed an opportunity to reflect deeply on the institutional capacities to build climate-smart development mechanisms and support
Our regional member countries build resilience and transition to low-carbon development pathways. It was also an occasion to reflect on how countries can actively rebuild better from the COVID-19 pandemic with climate-smart solutions.
The conference provided a platform for established academics and young researchers alike to present their solution-oriented research to policymakers and decision-makers on how to strengthen Africa’s response to climate change and its ripple effects.
It was one of the best experiences to interact with different thinking by different people. Each of them provides a backing to what they believe, our continent could benefit best.
Q&A sessions were the best. People could ask questions and panelists did their best in answering the questions. Embracing different views with the target to make Africa better was the driver of all conversation.
It gives hope if we all take the recommendations seriously. As much as we may be doing well in some areas, we still have a big number of issues that need addressing, if we are to succeed in climate action.
Are recommendations from African Economic Conference by UNDP and AFDB shared with governments?
The recommendations made at the African Economic Conference (AEC), which is organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Development Bank (AFDB), are typically shared with governments and other stakeholders in Africa. The conference aims to promote dialogue and exchange of ideas on key economic challenges and opportunities facing the continent and to provide a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences on economic policy, research, and analysis. As such, the recommendations made at the AEC are intended to inform policy discussions and decision-making at the national, regional, and continental levels.
The AEC typically attracts a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, and media. These stakeholders may use the recommendations from the conference to advocate for specific policy changes or to influence the direction of economic policy in their respective countries or regions. In addition, the UNDP and AFDB may use the recommendations from the AEC to inform their own work in supporting economic development and poverty reduction efforts in Africa.
Recommendations from the African Economic Conference (AEC), which is organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Development Bank (AFDB), are typically shared with governments and other stakeholders in order to inform policy and decision-making. The conference aims to provide a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas on key economic challenges and opportunities facing Africa and to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences on economic policy, research, and analysis. As such, the recommendations from the conference are intended to be used as a resource for policymakers and other stakeholders working to address economic issues on the continent.
Recommendations from the AEC may be shared through a variety of channels, such as through reports or policy briefs that are disseminated to relevant government agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. The conference may also provide opportunities for participants to engage directly with policymakers and other decision-makers, through panel discussions, roundtables, or other interactive sessions. Additionally, the conference may seek to engage with governments and other stakeholders through follow-up activities or other forms of engagement after the conference has ended.
Any successful projects from African Economic Conference by UNDP and AFDB
It is difficult to identify specific successful projects that have emerged directly from the African Economic Conference (AEC), as the conference is intended to provide a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas rather than to implement specific projects or initiatives. However, the conference may contribute to the development and implementation of successful projects and initiatives in a number of ways.
For example, the conference may provide a forum for the sharing of knowledge and experiences on economic policy, research, and analysis, which can inform the development of effective strategies and interventions for addressing economic issues on the continent. The conference may also facilitate the exchange of ideas and the identification of potential partnerships and collaborations among participants, which can lead to the development of joint projects and initiatives. Additionally, the conference may provide opportunities for participants to engage with policymakers and other decision-makers, which can help to ensure that the recommendations and insights generated at the conference are considered and taken into account in the policy-making process.
Here is part of my contribution to the African Economic Conference on Uncertainty and the Future of Sustainable Development.
Take away
It is evident that we are the worst hit by climate change despite least contributing to it. However, we need to move beyond that. We need to venture into activities that build resilience.
It is time for Africa to use what it has for its benefit. We have good bargaining power when it comes to Natural Capital, it’s time our leaders rose and use this fact to our advantage.
African youth have been vibrant, and need backing up from all stakeholders in realizing all the promising projects that will promote sustainable development.
If the leaders can be keen and take the recommendations seriously, we have an opportunity in building resilience.
