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

Energy, fertilizers and trade under pressure: ECA calls for bold regional action in Central Africa

minilik.demissie — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 07:52:00 +0000

28 May, 2026

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Yaoundé, 28 May 2026 (ECA) – The ongoing conflict in the Middle East could fundamentally reshape global energy, logistics and industrial dynamics, with particularly severe implications for Central African economies. This was the key message emerging from the high-level webinar organized by the Subregional Office for Central Africa of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) under the theme: “The Middle East war and its implications in Central Africa.”

Bringing together government officials, experts from regional economic communities, academics, financial institutions and private sector actors, the discussions highlighted the growing complexity of a crisis now widely recognized as multidimensional spanning energy security, food systems, geopolitics, industrial development and regional stability.

Opening the discussions, the Director of ECA’s Subregional Office for Central Africa stressed the urgent need for the subregion to move beyond short-term responses and embrace a collective vision for economic sovereignty and strategic transformation.

“Central Africa possesses all the assets required to become a major energy, metallurgical, agricultural and green growth powerhouse. The subregion holds nearly 65 per cent of Africa’s energy resources and around 25 per cent of the continent’s water resources. Yet without stronger regional integration and local value addition, these resources will continue to fuel the economies of other continents.”

Participants underscored the increasing geopolitical complexity of the conflict. In his keynote presentation, Adama Ekberg Coulibaly, Chief of the Subregional Initiatives Section at the ECA Subregional Office for Central Africa, recalled that the Middle East accounts for nearly 48 per cent of proven global oil reserves and close to 40 per cent of global natural gas reserves, making the region the epicenter of global energy tensions.

At the centre of global concerns lies the Strait of Hormuz; a strategic maritime corridor through which nearly 20 million barrels of oil transit every day, representing close to 25 per cent of global seaborne oil trade, alongside a significant share of global fertilizer and gas shipments. Any prolonged disruption in this critical passage would automatically trigger major shockwaves across global energy, fertilizer and maritime transport markets.

According to experts, the impacts are already being felt across Central Africa.

Since the escalation of the conflict, international prices for hydrocarbons, gas and fertilizers have risen sharply, placing growing pressure on public finances and economic stability. Data presented during the webinar showed that some global fertilizer price indices have reached historic highs, at times exceeding USD 1,600 per tonne across certain market segments.

According to Abdelmadjid Attar, senior expert and former Algerian Minister of Hydrocarbons, the crisis above all exposes the structural vulnerability of African economies to external dependencies.

“Africa is not merely witnessing a distant conflict. It is directly experiencing the consequences of a global system in which energy, food, logistics and financial supply chains are deeply interconnected.”

He warned of compounded risks including slower economic growth, imported inflation, widening trade deficits and rising social pressures across several countries in the subregion.

Paradoxically, speakers also emphasized that the crisis could represent a historic opportunity to accelerate Central Africa’s structural transformation.

For Adama Ekberg Coulibaly, the region must now position itself as:

“an essential hub for energy, logistics and green solutions, as well as a strategic manufacturing base capable of locally transforming critical minerals and strategic products.”

He further stressed the importance of treating hydrocarbons not merely as export commodities, but as strategic instruments for regional integration, industrialization and economic resilience.

Participants called for ambitious and coordinated regional responses, including: the development of integrated regional value chains in hydrocarbons, fertilizers and agricultural products; investments in regional refineries and strategic storage infrastructure; the establishment of next-generation special economic zones focused on industrial transformation; accelerated development of transport corridors and logistics infrastructure; industrial upgrading within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); and the creation of a permanent regional platform for strategic foresight and crisis anticipation.

“We must seize this crisis as an opportunity to reposition Central African economies onto a path of transformation, innovation and sustainable growth,” concluded Jean Luc Mastaki.

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

Can Africa break the cycle of crisis and recovery?

eskinder.tsegaye — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 06:11:36 +0000

1 June, 2026

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Addis Ababa, 1 June 2026 (ECA) - Having weathered three major global shocks in just six years, African economies have had no shortage of lessons. Yet many of the vulnerabilities exposed by those crises remain unresolved.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 exposed deep dependence on imported pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. Then, in 2022, the Russia-Ukraine war disrupted grain and fertilizer markets, sending food and transport costs soaring across much of the continent.

Now, the Iran conflict is once again disrupting energy and fertilizer markets, trade routes, and supply chains, exposing Africa's continued vulnerability in an increasingly unstable global economy.

Concerns are growing not only about the human cost of the war, but also about its economic consequences. Oil prices have surged, aviation routes have been disrupted, and uncertainty around global trade is once again putting pressure on fuel, food, and transport costs.

Disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important corridors for oil, gas, and fertilizer exports, are fueling fears of a wider global economic slowdown.

Economists warn that if oil prices remain above $100 a barrel for a prolonged period, the world could face another global recession.

The United Nations is also warning of a growing humanitarian toll.

“When the Strait of Hormuz is strangled, the world's poorest and most vulnerable cannot breathe,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned.

He added that prolonged disruption could push 32 million more people into poverty and leave 45 million facing extreme hunger, particularly among the world's most vulnerable populations.

African countries are among the most vulnerable to such disruptions, largely because of the continent's dependence on critical imports. Roughly 80 per cent of African countries are net importers of refined petroleum products, while sub-Saharan Africa imports nearly 80 per cent of its fertilizer needs.

As a result, disruptions spread quickly across economies. Rising fuel prices drive up transport costs, while fertilizer shortages threaten agricultural production in countries already grappling with inflation and food insecurity.

Governments across Africa are responding with a range of measures, including fuel subsidies, public transport initiatives, and efforts to strengthen energy security and fertilizer supply.

Airlines are also facing mounting pressure.

According to the International Air Transport Association, global jet fuel prices nearly doubled during the height of the conflict. Fuel now accounts for between 30 and 55 per cent of operating costs for some African airlines, well above the global average of 20 to 30 per cent.

Passengers are also on the receiving end of those higher costs.

"Because of fuel surcharges, which have increased between 20 and 50 per cent across airlines, we've seen ticket prices rise by anywhere from 20,000 to 100,000 birr," says Iman Durri, Deputy General Manager of Safeway Travel & Tours PLC.

As conflict disrupts air travel through parts of the Middle East, some passengers shifted to African transit hubs, particularly Addis Ababa and Nairobi.

Maureen Kahonge, Director of Communications at the African Airlines Association, says about 22 per cent of intra-African air traffic normally transits through hubs outside the continent. The disruption has “drawn greater attention to African hubs as transit points for passengers travelling between Africa and the rest of the world.”

Global shipping routes have also been severely affected.

With disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and parts of the Red Sea, some cargo vessels have been rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, adding both time and cost to global trade.

ECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete says the current crisis, despite its challenges, presents an opportunity to accelerate efforts to strengthen regional value chains and reduce dependence on external supply chains.

"Talking to member countries about the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and how to implement it becomes much easier because they have seen what is likely to happen if you don't do it," says Mr Gatete.

Africa, he argues, already has many of the resources and market opportunities needed to begin reducing its reliance on imported fuel and fertilizer.

He points to the Dangote refinery in Nigeria, Morocco's phosphate reserves, and the AfCFTA operationalization as examples of how the continent can strengthen regional value chains and build greater resilience to future shocks.

Mr Gatete also argues that crises tend to accelerate reforms that would otherwise struggle to gain momentum.

One lesson from recent years is that business as usual until the next crisis hits is not a sustainable path for Africa.

Whether it comes in the form of a pandemic, a war, or an energy shock, countries with stronger domestic financial resources, industrial capacity, efficient transport networks, and deeper regional integration are better positioned to absorb the impact.

For Africa, that places renewed focus on implementation, from the AfCFTA and regional transport links to investments in refining, manufacturing, and logistics. 

The next global shock may come from a different part of the world. Will Africa be better prepared when it does?

Watch our latest episode of the Sustainable Africa Series for more insights.

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

Chad joins Africa’s unified data governance and AI readiness movement for a trusted digital future

eskinder.tsegaye — Fri, 29 May 2026 11:45:41 +0000

21 May, 2026

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N’Djamena, Chad, 21 May 2026 (ECA) – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Telecommunications, Digital Economy and Digitalization of Administration of the Republic of Chad, and with the support of the European Union and GIZ-AU, has concluded a series of national engagements to support the development of Chad’s National Data Governance Strategy.

Held in N’Djamena from 13 to 21 May 2026, the activities brought together a broad range of stakeholders from government and other sectors, including the Office of the President and Prime Minister, the National Assembly, the Court of Auditors, sectoral ministries, and key digital governance institutions from the Office of the President of the Republic, the Office of the Prime Minister, the National Assembly, sectoral ministries, and key national institutions including telecommunications regulation, cybersecurity and electronic certification, ICT development, national statistics, and secure identity management, academia, and development organizations.

As part of the process, a national assessment mission conducted from 13 to 15 May reviewed Chad’s existing legal, institutional, and technical data governance landscape. This was followed by the Capacity Building Programme held from 18 to 20 May 2026, which convened 45 participants and focused on strengthening national capacities in key areas of data governance, including governance frameworks, data policy development, data protection, digital infrastructure, data sharing, and the public value of data.

As part of the broader partnership between the ECA and Google, the programme also featured the introduction of the Government AI Campus, a free learning platform aimed at equipping public officials with practical AI knowledge and skills. Participating officials further engaged in an AI Readiness Assessment exercise to help identify existing capacities, institutional gaps, and priority areas for future support and national-level AI capacity building for public servants.

To conclude the first phase of the national strategy development roadmap, a Stakeholder Engagement Workshop was held on 21 May 2026 to deliberate on the preliminary findings of the country assessment and contribute to the development of a coherent, inclusive, and sustainable data governance framework for Chad. Discussions focused on key national priorities, including strengthening governance frameworks, advancing secure and resilient digital infrastructure, and reinforcing data protection, interoperability, and institutional capacity.

The workshop was officially opened with remarks delivered by Agnès Kovacs, First Secretary of the European Union Delegation to Chad; Samir Felich, First Counsellor at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany; Sonia Essobmadje, representing ECA; and Mahamat Saleh Brahim Salah, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Telecommunications, Digital Economy and Digitalization of Administration.

Speaking on behalf of ECA, Sonia Essobmadje underscored the strategic importance of data governance in advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda.

“The stakeholder engagement workshop on data governance in Chad marks an important step forward in building a coherent, inclusive, and sustainable national data governance framework. It also reflects a collective commitment to positioning data as a strategic lever for digital transformation, public sector efficiency, and sustainable development,” stated Sonia Essobmadje.

ECA further emphasized that the series of engagements is designed to complement the strategy development roadmap, strengthening stakeholder readiness from inception through to validation and supporting the effective operationalization of Chad’s evolving data governance agenda.

This initiative marks an important milestone toward strengthening Chad’s digital sovereignty and promoting a secure, inclusive, and trusted digital ecosystem aligned with continental and global digital governance priorities.

For more information ECA Supporting Chad in Developing a National Data Governance Strategy to Advance the AU Data Policy Framework

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

ECA launches regional initiative to accelerate women’s digital entrepreneurship across four African countries

eskinder.tsegaye — Fri, 29 May 2026 04:16:42 +0000

29 May, 2026

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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 25 May 2026 (ECA) – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its Technology, Innovation, Connectivity and Infrastructure Division (TICID), has officially launched a regional project titled “Fostering Digital Entrepreneurship Among Women in Africa”, aimed at strengthening women’s participation in the digital economy across Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Namibia, and the Republic of Congo.

The initiative responds to persistent structural barriers limiting women entrepreneurs’ access to digital skills, financial services, and online markets, while also addressing gaps in enabling policy and regulatory environments. It adopts a dual-track approach that simultaneously empowers women entrepreneurs and strengthens the capacity of policymakers to design inclusive and gender-responsive digital ecosystems.

The project is expected to directly benefit over 1,000 women entrepreneurs through digital literacy and financial management training, alongside more than 200 policymakers and government officials engaged in capacity-building workshops and regional policy dialogue. Across the four participating countries, the initiative will deliver eight national workshops, one regional training programme, a dedicated online learning module, and targeted study tours designed to strengthen practical skills, policy frameworks, and regional knowledge exchange.

A key feature of the initiative is the establishment of a multi-stakeholder coordination taskforce during a virtual kick-off held on May 18th, bringing together departments from across the ECA. The task force will ensure coordinated implementation, knowledge sharing, and alignment with national priorities across all participating countries, in close collaboration with implementing UN entities and national counterparts.

The taskforce also convened a technical follow-up meeting to discuss the way forward, and emphasized the importance of context-specific implementation, taking into account the socio-economic realities of the selected countries, as well as gender and youth considerations. They further underscored the importance of prioritizing the first activity under the project, a comprehensive assessment study to be conducted in each country over the next six months.

Implemented over a four-year period, the project is expected to achieve its intended results by 2029 as part of ECA’s broader efforts to promote inclusive digital transformation in Africa’s digital economy. By supporting women entrepreneurs and strengthening enabling policy environments, the initiative aims to contribute to more inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development across the continent.

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

ECA reinforces Africa's urban agenda at World Urban Forum 13 in Baku

eskinder.tsegaye — Thu, 28 May 2026 13:19:58 +0000

22 May, 2026

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ECA champions the Nairobi Declaration and Africa's Urban Position through high level engagement, ministerial leadership, and a landmark side event at WUF13

Baku, Azerbaijan, 22 May 2026 – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) demonstrated strong institutional leadership at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 18 to 22 May 2026, under the theme 'Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.' ECA's active engagement at the Forum reinforced its role as a key technical and policy partner in advancing sustainable urbanization across the African continent.

Representing ECA at the Africa Ministerial Meeting

On 18 May 2026, ECA represented the Executive Secretary at the high level African Ministerial Meeting on 'Implementing the Nairobi Declaration: From Political Commitment to Continental Action.' The session was co convened by UN Habitat, the African Union Commission (AUC), and ECA, and brought together ministers responsible for housing, urban development, and finance from across AU Member States.

On behalf of ECA Executive Secretary Mr. Claver Gatete, opening remarks were delivered alongside UN Habitat Executive Director Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach and the AU Commission representative. ECA reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting Member States in implementing the Nairobi Declaration, Africa's most substantive collective urban policy signal in a decade, which sets out six strategic clusters for action: political commitment and policy reform; land and infrastructure; intergovernmental fiscal reform; national urban policies; urban climate action; and inclusive communities.

Speaking on behalf of Executive Secretary Claver Gatete, ECA stated: “The Nairobi Declaration represents Africa's most significant collective urban policy signal in a decade, providing a framework across six strategic areas: political commitment and policy reform, land and infrastructure, intergovernmental fiscal reform, national urban policies, urban climate action, and inclusive communities.”

The Ministerial Meeting concluded with the adoption of a Ministerial Implementation Action Plan, designating WUF13 and the July 2026 UN General Assembly High Level Review of the New Urban Agenda as critical platforms for advancing Africa's coordinated urban voice on the global stage.

ECA Side Event: United for Change

On 22 May 2026, ECA organized a high profile side event entitled 'United for Change: Translating Africa's Urban Position into Transformative Actions.' The 90 minute event, held jointly with the AUC and UN Habitat, convened senior panelists from across Africa's urban stakeholders: the African Union Commission, UN Habitat, the Government of Kenya, the Mayor of Harare, and the City Manager of Nakuru.

The side event examined four interconnected drivers of urban transformation: local governance and implementation systems; municipal finance and investment readiness; digital transformation and smart urban development; and housing and urban resilience. Discussions centered on actionable pathways to close the implementation gap between continental ambitions and city level delivery, consistent with the African Urban Position adopted at the Second Africa Urban Forum (AUF2) in Nairobi.

ECA's Commitment to Africa's Urban Future

ECA's participation at WUF13 underscores the Commission's strategic role as a key technical partner in realizing the African Urban Position. ECA stands ready to support Member States in mobilizing domestic resources, advancing data driven urban planning, strengthening local government capacity, and providing the analytical and policy guidance necessary to unlock the full potential of sustainable urbanization on the continent.

As Africa continues to urbanize at an accelerating pace, the deliberations and commitments made at WUF13 represent a critical milestone in shaping a prosperous, inclusive, and climate resilient urban future for Africa's cities, economies, and people.

Speaking on Africa's urban transformation agenda, ECA emphasized: 'Africa's urbanization presents both a challenge and a historic opportunity — for our people, our economies, and our shared future.'

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

[Blog] Africa’s youth boom could transform economies if opportunity keeps pace

eskinder.tsegaye — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:58:56 +0000

28 May, 2026

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By Jalal Abdel-Latif, Senior Social Policy Advisor, Socio-Economic Development Division, ECA

In February this year, when I sat with young people in Dire Dawa, a fast-growing city in eastern Ethiopia, I was struck not by a lack of ideas, but by a lack of access.

The room was full of energy. Young people - employed, self-employed and unemployed - spoke about innovation, ambition and the desire to build something of their own. A decent job that could support their families. A productive business that could create jobs for others. A future shaped by their own effort.

But time and again, the conversation turned to the same barriers, especially limited access to finance. “To start a business, you need money,” one young entrepreneur, Mr. Buzayew Abebe, told us. “To secure even basic equipment, you need a guarantor. And if you don’t know someone, it becomes very difficult.”

His experience is not unique. Across Ethiopia, and around Africa, young people are ready to work, innovate and contribute.

Africa’s greatest asset

Young people are the continent’s greatest asset. But too often, they are navigating systems that make it difficult to turn potential into progress.

This is not because policies do not exist. Many African countries have national youth policies designed to support employment and entrepreneurship. These policies reflect strong commitment.

But the real test is not what is written on paper, but what happens on the ground. Are young people able to move from education into decent work? Can they access finance to start or grow a business? Too often, the answer we heard is: not yet.

The challenge is not only about jobs, but about the quality of jobs available. Across much of Africa, economies are not yet creating enough opportunities in higher-productivity sectors - the kinds of jobs that offer stable incomes, growth and security. As a result, many young people are working, but in the informal economy.

This can mean selling goods on the street, doing casual construction work or providing services without contracts or protection. These jobs demand resilience and effort, but they are often low-paying, unstable and vulnerable to shocks.

This reality is even more pronounced for young women. And while Africa has one of the highest rates of women entrepreneurs globally, many operate small, survival-driven businesses that struggle to grow, often due to gaps in access to education, finance and networks.

This is the paradox at the heart of Africa’s labour markets. Young people are working but not always moving up the income ladder.

A shift in thinking

The scale of the challenge is growing. Africa has the youngest population in the world. By 2035, more young people will enter the workforce each year in Africa than in the rest of the world combined.

If handled well, this could be a powerful engine for growth and shared prosperity. But this will not happen on its own. It requires deliberate and accelerated action to ensure economies create not just more jobs, but better ones, and that young people can access them. This, in turn, requires a shift in how we think about youth employment and entrepreneurship.

For years, many programmes have focused heavily on building skills. This is important. But skills alone are not enough if there are no jobs to match them, or no pathways into entrepreneurship.

At the same time, many youth initiatives fall short not because of a lack of effort, but because they are not designed to work as a system. Too often, they focus on one piece of the puzzle, such as training, without linking it to finance, markets or employers. Coordination across institutions is often weak, and support does not always reach young people when and where they need it.

According to our ongoing analysis, what works is more integrated. Successful approaches combine multiple elements: building relevant skills, supporting job creation, enabling entrepreneurship, connecting young people to employers, and creating an environment where businesses can grow. In simple terms, they support the full journey, from learning to earning.

From insight to action

This is the thinking behind a new initiative being piloted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

It works in a simple sequence. First, we look at the data. Through our collaboration with Oxford Economics, we identify where and why things are falling short.

Second, we bring those findings together with real experiences. In Dire Dawa, we engaged city officials, businesses, educators and young people to understand what is working and what can work better. In Addis Ababa, we brought together experts from across the region to compare experiences and lessons.

What we heard was strikingly consistent. The challenge is no longer policy design; it is delivery. The issue is not a lack of solutions, but a lack of connection between them.

Young people described training that leads nowhere, finance they cannot reach, and systems that feel fragmented and difficult to navigate. They were clear that they want practical support, easier access to markets, and a real chance to stand on their own feet. They no longer want to be passive recipients of policy, but active partners in delivering it.

The final step is turning these insights into action. Our goal is not to create new policies, but to help member states ensure existing ones deliver fully, by improving coordination, strengthening institutions and aligning support with economic realities.

In practical terms, this means changing the experience of a young person from completing a training course with no follow-up, to having a clear pathway where skills lead to a source of income.

An unmissable opportunity

This work is urgent. Buzayew’s story is not just about a young entrepreneur in Dire Dawa, navigating barriers to grow a business. It reflects a much wider reality, one shared by tens of millions of young people across the continent, from Accra to Algiers to Antananarivo.

The question is whether we are prepared to meet that reality with equally ambitious solutions.

What is clear is that young people are not waiting. They are already building, innovating and contributing. What they need now is not more promises but an environment that works with them – and for them.

If we get this right, Africa’s youth will not just be a demographic trend. They will drive the continent’s transformation.

That is an opportunity – and the responsibility - we cannot afford to miss.

ECA pilots initiative to fast-track action on decent jobs and productive entrepreneurship for African youth

eskinder.tsegaye — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:45:44 +0000

28 May, 2026

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Addis Ababa, 28 May 2026 –The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is piloting a new initiative to accelerate the implementation of national youth policies to create more decent jobs and productive entrepreneurship opportunities for the continent’s growing youth population.

Under the initiative, ‘Strengthening Youth Policy Implementation and Employment Pathways in Africa’, ECA hosted a local workshop in Dire Dawa and a regional Expert Group Meeting in Addis Ababa to help turn youth policies into real livelihood opportunities on the ground.

Africa is home to the world’s largest youth population, with more than 400 million young people aged 15 to 35. While many African countries have made progress in developing national youth policies, the focus is now on ensuring they fully deliver in practice, from equipping young people with the right skills and education to helping them find jobs or start businesses.

The Dire Dawa workshop, held from 11 to 13 February 2026 at the request of the City Administration, focused on local delivery of Ethiopia’s National Youth Policy. It brought together local government institutions, youth networks, civil society and private sector representatives to review progress and co-create practical, city-specific solutions.

Through focus group discussions, young people - including entrepreneurs, unemployed youth and recent graduates - shared how they move from skills to jobs or entrepreneurship, and how this journey can be better supported.

Speaking after the workshop, young people in Dire Dawa highlighted the need for greater support. “After skills training, young people need tools, equipment and access to markets. Without these, it becomes difficult to turn skills into income,” said Mr. Buzayew Abebe, a young entrepreneur based in Dire Dawa. “Young people are ready to work and contribute to development. What we need is opportunity that allows us to stand on our own feet.”

‘Everyone’s responsibility’

Building on insights from Dire Dawa, ECA hosted a regional Expert Group Meeting in Addis Ababa from 22 to 24 March 2026. The meeting brought together representatives from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member countries, the Government of Djibouti, Dire Dawa City Administration, academia and youth-led businesses to identify practical ways to accelerate youth policy implementation across Africa.

Mr. Sam Ogwal, IGAD’s Special Youth Envoy, said: “This meeting provided more insightful discussion on how best we can ensure that youth policies are implemented. One thing that came out clearly is the need for governments to take a holistic approach. It is not only for the Ministry of Youth or young people, but for everyone to take responsibility to help achieve the goals of youth policies… By working together, we can achieve them.”

He pointed to key takeaways from the meeting, including bringing national youth councils on board, making education more relevant to youth and easing regulations for youth-led start-ups, which he said can expand opportunities for young people.

In this regard, Mr. Ogwal described ECA’s initiative as a positive step in identifying areas for improvement and providing tools to support advocacy for youth development in the region.

A diagnostic tool

The discussions will contribute to an upcoming ECA solution-oriented study, co-produced with Oxford Economics. It is designed as a practical diagnostic tool to help African countries strengthen how existing youth policies can deliver greater results.

Ms. Zuzana Schwidrowski, Director of ECA’s Socio-Economic Development Division, said: “Africa’s youth are its greatest asset, but this potential will not realise itself. It must be intentionally nurtured, supported and connected to decent opportunities.”

She added: “That is why ECA is piloting this initiative to accelerate the delivery of youth policies and to better support young people in building sustainable livelihoods. Through stronger coordination, improved data and more effective implementation, we can ensure Africa’s youth become not only a promise for the future, but a positive force for transformation today.”

Local authorities also welcomed the initiative and highlighted the importance of translating policy into action. “The youth in Dire Dawa face challenges in accessing opportunities. We need clear policies that recognize their role as core members of society,” said Mr. Jemal Ibrahim God, Planning Manager at the Dire Dawa City Administration. “National policies provide the framework, but targeted implementation at the local level is critical to success.”

Findings from both the workshop and the Expert Group Meeting will also inform a regional peer-learning exercise under IGAD.

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

ECA Chief urges scaling up financing for water investments to drive growth, resilience and shared prosperity

eskinder.tsegaye — Thu, 28 May 2026 04:17:58 +0000

27 May, 2026

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Brazzaville, Congo, 27 May 2026 - Africa must urgently close the financing gap for water and sanitation investments if the continent is to accelerate progress on sustainable development, climate resilience and economic transformation, Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, said at the African Development Bank Group 2026 Annual Meetings.

Speaking at a high-level side event on Financing Africa’s Water Investments, Mr. Gatete commended the African Development Bank Group, the African Union Commission, the African Ministers’ Council on Water and partners for convening what he described as a timely and strategic discussion on Africa’s water future.

He said the event came at a critical moment for the implementation of the Africa Water Vision 2063, which seeks to achieve a water-secure and resilient Africa with safe sanitation for all.

“The challenge is not a lack of solutions; it is about how we prioritize, finance and implement them at scale,” Mr. Gatete said, noting that the discussions had highlighted practical experiences, concrete pathways and the urgent need to translate ambition into action.

Mr. Gatete placed Africa’s water challenge within the broader global context, noting that 2.2 billion people worldwide still lack safely managed drinking water, while 3.4 billion lack safely managed sanitation. In Africa, more than 400 million people lack access to basic drinking water and over 700 million remain without safely managed sanitation.

He warned that water-related investments continue to receive less than 3% of global climate finance, despite water being the primary channel through which climate impacts are felt through droughts, floods and variability.

“This imbalance has created a growing disconnect between the scale of the risk and the scale of investment,” he said.

According to Mr. Gatete, Africa requires more than US$50 billion annually to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation, yet current investment stands at only US$12 to US$15 billion per year.

He stressed that the implications of this financing gap extend beyond the water sector, affecting agriculture, energy, industry, urban development, public health and climate resilience.

“Underinvestment in water is not only a social concern but a structural economic constraint,” he said.

Mr. Gatete called for a fundamental reframing of water in Africa’s economies. He said water should not be seen only as a utility to be delivered, but as “the bloodstream of our economies,” sustaining food systems, energy generation, industrial development, ecosystem integrity, public health and regional integration.

He added that water is also central to unlocking the potential of Africa’s blue economy and must be treated as an investable asset capable of driving growth, jobs and resilience.

Outlining four priorities for action, Mr. Gatete urged countries to place water at the centre of economic policy and decision-making by integrating it into national development plans, fiscal strategies and investment frameworks.

He also called for stronger project preparation systems to build a robust pipeline of bankable and investment-ready water projects, including innovative solutions such as wastewater reuse, nature-based systems and climate-resilient sanitation infrastructure.

Third, he emphasized the need to expand blended finance and risk-sharing instruments, including through platforms such as the African Water Facility, to crowd in private capital and diversify financing sources. He further noted that expanding fiscal space through stronger debt management and financing reforms would be essential.

Fourth, Mr. Gatete called for stronger governance, credible data systems and accountability frameworks to ensure that investments deliver measurable, inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

“The next phase must focus on turning the discussions into tangible results, including financed projects, stronger partnerships and improved access to water and sanitation for millions across Africa,” he urged.

Mr. Gatete reaffirmed ECA’s readiness to work with the African Development Bank, the African Union Commission, AMCOW, Regional Economic Communities and partners to support implementation of the Africa Water Vision 2063.

“Together, we can deliver for Africa,” he said.

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

Ethiopia launches National E-Mobility Strategy 2025–2030

eskinder.tsegaye — Tue, 26 May 2026 08:07:29 +0000

25 May, 2026

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Addis Ababa, 25 May 2026 — The Ministry of Transport and Logistics of Ethiopia, in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), and the World Resources Institute (WRI), today officially launched the Ethiopia E-Mobility Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025–2030, a comprehensive national roadmap to accelerate the country's transition to clean, efficient, and sustainable mobility.

The launch workshop, held at ECA’s Headquarters in Addis Ababa, brought together ministers, government institutions, development partners, city administrations, financial institutions, academia private sector actors, and civil society organizations to introduce the strategy's priorities and mobilize support for its implementation.

The Ethiopia E-Mobility Strategy 2025–2030 outlines priority actions across six intervention areas: policy and regulatory reform, fleet transition, EV market development, charging infrastructure deployment, public transport electrification, and local capacity building. It reflects Ethiopia's commitment to reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, which cost the country approximately $4 billion in 2023, while leveraging its renewable energy advantage, with over 90% of national electricity generated from clean sources.

EV adoption in Ethiopia has grown rapidly, from 7,000 vehicles in 2023 to a projected 115,000 by end of 2026, signaling strong market momentum that the strategy is designed to accelerate and sustain.

Mr. Alemu Sime, Minister of Transport and Logistics, welcomed participants and underscored the strategic importance of the moment. He highlighted Ethiopia's progress in promoting electric mobility, noting the country's significant renewable energy advantage and its ambition to become one of Africa's leading nations in the transition to clean transport. The Minister outlined the strategy's key priorities, from policy and regulatory reform to charging infrastructure, public transport electrification, investment promotion, and local manufacturing, emphasizing that the transition to e-mobility is a shared national endeavor requiring coordinated action across government, the private sector, financial institutions, and civil society. He also acknowledged the continental significance of the launch, welcoming the African Union's recent endorsement of the Continental Framework on Electric Vehicles, and extended appreciation to ECA, ITDP, and WRI for their technical and advisory contributions to the development of the strategy.

Mr. Melaku Alebel, Minister of Industry, emphasized the industrial dimension of the transition, noting that shifting to electric transport structurally reduces the cost of doing business and positions Ethiopian industry to meet increasingly stringent global carbon standards. He highlighted five concrete industry-led initiatives: scaling local assembly and production, building a battery ecosystem, establishing a dedicated EV technology and industrial park, implementing mandatory standards, and fast-tracking exploration of Ethiopia's critical mineral reserves, including lithium and sodium ion, to secure long-term economic sovereignty.

Robert Lisinge, Director of the Technology, Innovation, Connectivity and Infrastructure Development Division at ECA, welcomed participants on behalf of Executive Secretary Claver Gatete and highlighted the growing role of electric vehicles across Africa. He outlined ECA's contributions to the continental e-mobility agenda, including a comprehensive 26-country review of EV development, the development of a model national roadmap, and ongoing studies on electricity requirements and EV trade across the continent. He also noted that the 2026 edition of the Economic Report on Africa explores the contribution of frontier technologies, including electric vehicles to economic transformation on the continent.

The launch takes place at a pivotal moment for e-mobility across Africa. On 30 April 2026, the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Transport and Energy officially endorsed a new Continental Framework on Electric Vehicles in Africa, developed jointly by the African Union Commission, ECA, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Ethiopia's national strategy now serves as an early model for translating that continental framework into national action.

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

Welcome remarks by Claver Gatete at the meeting of the Africa High-level Working Group on the Global Financial Architecture

eskinder.tsegaye — Tue, 26 May 2026 04:55:45 +0000

25 May, 2026

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Welcome Remarks

By ES Claver Gatete

Meeting of the Africa High-level Working Group

on the Global Financial Architecture

25 May 2026

Welcome Remarks (5 min)

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

Please allow me to welcome all of you to this meeting of the Africa High-level Working Group on the Global Financial Architecture. It is a privilege to convene with you today as we continue our critical deliberations on the structural shifts shaping our economies. It is great to see so many of you here in person in Brazzaville, and I would also like to greet everyone who is joining us virtually.

Excellencies,

When we gathered last month in Washington DC during IMF - World Bank Spring Meetings, we confronted the global developments facing Africa, their implications for our economies, and the key reforms that we should take forward with the IMF, the World Bank, and regional development finance institutions.

We agreed that Africa is operating in a new normal of lower growth and higher uncertainty. Financing conditions have tightened, and the cost of capital has reset upward. Concessional space is shrinking.

In that context, we emphasized the need for urgent crisis response, but also for long-term structural reform.

Today’s discussion on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, or CBAM, comes at a pivotal moment. While CBAM is presented as a climate policy instrument, we must analyze it through a broader structural lens. For Africa, this is not merely an environmental directive; it is fundamentally a trade, industrialization, and development issue. If the current design and pace of implementation are not carefully calibrated, CBAM risks stoking trade tensions, fueling economic fragmentation, and exacerbating global inequality, all while delivering limited climate benefits.

As CBAM transitions toward full implementation, African exporters will confront substantial new carbon levies and stringent compliance obligations. The sectors currently covered (including cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, electricity, and hydrogen) are not marginal sectors. They are central to Africa’s industrialization, infrastructure development, energy transition, and regional value chains.

The challenge is not only the carbon price itself. It is also the ability to measure, report, and verify embedded emissions, access clean technologies, build credible regulatory systems, and mobilize the finance needed to adapt. Without adequate support and transition time, CBAM could become less an incentive for low-carbon development, and more a new barrier to market access. This is why Africa’s response must be evidence-based, coordinated, and anchored in fairness, partnership, and shared but differentiated responsibilities.

Excellencies,

In today’s meeting, DES Hanan Morsy and Mr. Melaku Desta, from our Regional Integration and Trade Division, will present ECA analytical work on the “Impact of EU CBAM on Africa”.

Finally, I once again welcome all of you to the meeting, and look forward to a frank, practical, and insightful discussion on how Africa can respond to CBAM in a way that protects our economies, supports our industrialization, and advances a just transition.

Thank you.