• About
  • Contact
  • Donate/Support
  • Subscribe
Mansa Banko Online
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Agric
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Science/Tech
  • More
    • Education
    • Human Rights
    • Sports
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Migration
    • Opinion
    • Tourism
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Agric
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Science/Tech
  • More
    • Education
    • Human Rights
    • Sports
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Migration
    • Opinion
    • Tourism
No Result
View All Result
Mansa Banko Online
No Result
View All Result
Home Business

World Export Development Forum puts focus on value addition for inclusive growth in one Africa

M.E Njie by M.E Njie
November 20, 2019
in Business
0
World Export Development Forum puts focus on value addition for inclusive growth in one Africa
0
SHARES
33
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Addis Ababa – Inclusive economic growth across Africa hinges on ensuring greater value addition in manufacturing, agriculture and services. The successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area will be critical to ensuring this. That was the message from public and private sector leaders at the opening of the 19th World Export Development Forum (WEDF) taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 20 November. The opening of WEDF 2019 coincided with the 30th anniversary of Africa Industrialization Day reaffirming the event’s focus on addressing key priorities of the African continent.

Opening the event, Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde said: ‘It is high time to expedite [of the African Continental Free Trade Area] implementation in order to unleash a complementary economic ecosystem among African nations’.

‘It is imperative we leverage the collective market size that we have as a continent,’ she said. ‘By creating a complementary economic system, we will be able to reap the full potential of our respective nations and become a major player in the international trade arena.’

Co-hosted by the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Ethiopia and the African Union Commission, the meeting brings together more than 1,000 business leaders, policymakers, and young entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond to better exploit the opportunities for growth through trade.

ITC Executive Director Arancha González said: ‘There is a need to create and add more value to Africa’s economies, to ensure growth and better sharing of increased prosperity. For this to happen more goods and services need to be made in Africa and more trade needs to happen between countries across the continent’.

‘Manufacturing is a very important part of the value addition story, but its only one part. The goal must now be to achieve greater value addition and competitiveness across the board: in industry but also in agriculture and agro-processing and services,’ she said.

Ms. González added that for Africa to climb the value-addition ladder there is a need for better trade data and intelligence; investment facilitation measures; investment in the digital economy; and new skills and expertise.

‘This multiplicity of action areas means that policy coherence is the name of the game. All parts of the mechanism must work together,’ Ms. González said.

Albert M. Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry, called for the creation of a more enabling environment to boost access to finance, competitiveness and innovation. He said: ‘The key drivers of industrialization will be the private sector. Mindful of this; we are providing a large market space through the African Continental Free Trade Area hence the theme: Positioning African Industry to Supply the AfCFTA Market’.

‘Moving forward, we now need to focus on the development of industrial statistics that cover all African countries. The data will give us evidence of what is going on at the enterprise, national and continental levels’.

Taking place at the African Union headquarters during Africa Industrialization Week, sessions at WEDF on 21-22 November will explore topics such as investing in value addition, addressing the skills mismatch, producing sustainable packaging and much more.

A key focus will be placed on the African Continental Free Trade Area and how this can fulfil its promise of unlocking Africa’s economic growth potential. According to ITC data, removing tariffs across the continent could add 13% to intra-African trade.

Read ITC Executive Director Arancha González’s speech in full.
Also opening today in Addis Ababa was the second edition of the Youth Entrepreneurship and Self-employment Forum (YES), which placed further accent on young people in trade. The YES Forum offers a platform for young entrepreneurs to share knowledge and for stakeholders to partner on innovative approaches and best practices for youth entrepreneurship.

The YES Forum is organized under the Decent Jobs for Youth Initiative, a partnership between ITC, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the African Union.

This year’s WEDF also features a Youth Media Zone, a space for youth representatives to open up a dialogue about youth inclusiveness. Supported by USAID in collaboration with the Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa (YALDA), young entrepreneurs, journalists, bloggers and vloggers will make the voice of youth heard through different activities such as interactive sessions, workshops and interviews.

In parallel to the high-level meetings, business-to-business matchmaking sessions will offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to forge new business deals in a variety of sectors.

Senior government representatives attending the World Export Development Forum, SheTrades Global and the YES Forum include: Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia; Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Small Business Development, South Africa; Fetlework Gebregziabher Abrha, Minister of Trade and Industry, Ethiopia; and Papa Amadou Sarr, Minister, General Delegate for Women and Youth Entrepreneurship, Senegal.

Representatives from international organizations and government include: Albert M. Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry, African Union; Arancha González, Executive Director, International Trade Centre; Abebe Abebayehu Chekol, Commissioner, Ethiopian Investment Commission; Ranieri Sabatucci, Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to the African Union; Hani Salem Sonbol, Chief Executive Officer, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation; Jessica E. Lapenn, Ambassador of the United States to the African Union; Eleni Kyrou, Head, Representation to Ethiopia and the African Union, European Investment Bank (EIB); Takao Seki, Director-General, Japan External Trade Organization, Addis Ababa; Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director, Executive Secretariat for the Enhanced Integrated Framework; Hoonmin Lim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Ethiopia; Frank Matsaert, Chief Executive Officer, TradeMark East Africa; Afua Asabea Asare, CEO, Ghana Exports Promotion Authority and Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission on Africa.

Representatives from the private sector include: Tewolde GebreMariam, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines; Israr Ahmed Mecca, Director, Farida Group; Benedict Okey Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board, African Export-Import Bank; Ashish J. Thakkar, Chief Executive Officer, Mara Phones; Mwayi Kampesi, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Planet Green Africa, Malawi; Navalayo Osembo Ombati, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Enda Sportswear, Kenya; Munir Duri, Chief Executive Officer, Kifiya Financial Technologies, Ethiopia; Pawel Hansdorfer, Senior Director, International Business, Asseco, Poland; Alex Ntale, Chief Executive Officer, Rwanda ICT Chamber; Mohammed N. Mijindadi, Managing Director, General Electric Gas Power System, Nigeria; Manuel Muñiz, Dean, IE School of Global and Public Affairs, Spain; Joakim Byström, Chief Executive Officer, Absolicon Solar Collector; Delphine Traoré, Chief Operations Officer, Allianz Africa; Zemedeneh Negatu, Global Chairman, Fairfax Africa Fund; and Wajdi Mirghani, Executive Manager, Mahgoub Sons Group.
The World Export Development Forum 2019 is organized in partnership with: CGTN Africa; the Enhanced Integrated Framework; Ethiopian Airlines; Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Associations, the European Union; USAID.

· The World Export Development Forum is being streamed live on

ITC’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/InternationalTradeCentre

· For further background on the World Export Development Forum, please visit www.intracen.org/WEDF

· For further background on ITC’s Youth and Trade Programme, which organizes the YES Forum, please visit:

http://www.intracen.org/youth/

· Read ITC Executive Director Arancha González’s speech in full. www.intracen.org/news/ITC-Executive-Director-opening-speech-at-the-Africa-Industrialization-Day-Ceremony-and-launch-of-the-World-Export-Development-Forum/

About ITC – The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

International Trade Centre
Jarle Hetland, Media Officer
P: + 41 22 730 0145
M: + 41 79 582 9180
E: hetland@intracen.org

Tags: Addis AbabaAfrican Union Commissioner for Trade and IndustryAlbert M. MuchangaArancha GonzálezEntrepreneurshipILOITCUNCTADUNFCDUNIDOUSAIDValue ChainWEDFYALDAYES forumYouth
Previous Post

Hakalang road, electricity plant to be commissioned in Niumi in weeks

Next Post

Gambia: EU Diplomats Want Sustainability and Continuity of Nema project

M.E Njie

M.E Njie

Mamadou Edrisa Njie is the Publisher and Managing Editor of Mansa Banko Online. Mansa Banko Online is a Gambia-based online newspaper focusing on agricultural reporting. The online medium reports on quality, reliable, factual and authoritative information. Mr. Njie is an alumna of the International Institute for Journalism (IIJ) in Germany and studied Mass Communication at the Institute of Professional Administration and Management (IPAM) in Banjul, The Gambia.

Related Posts

Afrijula- A Digital Tool Empowering Entrepreneurs in The Gambia
Business

Afrijula- A Digital Tool Empowering Entrepreneurs in The Gambia

by Press Release
August 31, 2023
Nioro Jattaba Senior School Teacher Diversifies Income with Poultry Farm
Business

Nioro Jattaba Senior School Teacher Diversifies Income with Poultry Farm

by Freelance
July 25, 2023
FARD’s Agriculture and Environment Secretary Wins Prestigious Women Agriprenuers of the Year Awards (WAYA 2022)
Business

FARD’s Agriculture and Environment Secretary Wins Prestigious Women Agriprenuers of the Year Awards (WAYA 2022)

by Press Release
September 8, 2022
GYIN-ITC Partnership: 40 Youth Poulterers, Apiculturists Complete Digital Marketing Training
Business

GYIN-ITC Partnership: 40 Youth Poulterers, Apiculturists Complete Digital Marketing Training

by Yero S. Bah
April 13, 2022
GAIN Investment Manager Barry on  Limited Investment-Readiness in Gambia
Business

GAIN Investment Manager Barry on Limited Investment-Readiness in Gambia

by Yero S. Bah
April 9, 2022
Next Post
Gambia: EU Diplomats Want Sustainability and Continuity of Nema project

Gambia: EU Diplomats Want Sustainability and Continuity of Nema project

Latest Post

Two Women Leaders to Unveil Amazon Best-Selling Book on Modern Leadership in The Gambia

Two Women Leaders to Unveil Amazon Best-Selling Book on Modern Leadership in The Gambia

May 11, 2025
RUFORUM SEEKS TO BOOST AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES WITH CUTTING-EDGE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

RUFORUM SEEKS TO BOOST AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES WITH CUTTING-EDGE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

May 6, 2025
EU YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROJECT (YEP) – TOURISM AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES LAUNCH TO CREATE JOBS FOR WOMEN AND YOUTH

EU YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROJECT (YEP) – TOURISM AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES LAUNCH TO CREATE JOBS FOR WOMEN AND YOUTH

February 17, 2025
GYIN Gambia and Doorways to Train 30 Youth Entrepreneurs on Personal Initiative (PI)

GYIN Gambia and Doorways to Train 30 Youth Entrepreneurs on Personal Initiative (PI)

February 14, 2025
Sunu Reew Medical Mission donates medical equipment to EFSTH

Sunu Reew Medical Mission donates medical equipment to EFSTH

February 11, 2025
COMHAFAT and COMAIP Sign Memorandum of Understanding to enhance sustainable fishing in Africa

COMHAFAT and COMAIP Sign Memorandum of Understanding to enhance sustainable fishing in Africa

February 5, 2025
Sunu Reew, Silicon Valley African Film Festival collaborate to bring health and promote arts in Gambia

Sunu Reew, Silicon Valley African Film Festival collaborate to bring health and promote arts in Gambia

February 4, 2025

Browse by Tags

AfDB Africa Agriculture Banjul business Children Climate Change Covid-19 COVID19 Development ECOWAS Education EU European Union FAO Farmers Finance Food Food Security Gambia Garden Government GYIN Gambia Health Human Rights IFAD Market Migration National Assembly Nigeria People Poultry Poverty Project Rice Rural Senegal The Gambia Trade United Nations Water Women World Bank YEP Youth

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Business
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • FAO
  • Health
  • Human Rights
  • IFAD
  • Migration
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Press Release
  • Science/Tech
  • Security
  • Sports
  • Tourism
  • Youth

Browse by Tag

AfDB Africa Agriculture Banjul business Children Climate Change Covid-19 COVID19 Development ECOWAS Education EU European Union FAO Farmers Finance Food Food Security Gambia Garden Government GYIN Gambia Health Human Rights IFAD Market Migration National Assembly Nigeria People Poultry Poverty Project Rice Rural Senegal The Gambia Trade United Nations Water Women World Bank YEP Youth

Recent Posts

  • Two Women Leaders to Unveil Amazon Best-Selling Book on Modern Leadership in The Gambia
  • RUFORUM SEEKS TO BOOST AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES WITH CUTTING-EDGE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
  • EU YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROJECT (YEP) – TOURISM AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES LAUNCH TO CREATE JOBS FOR WOMEN AND YOUTH
  • About
  • Contact
  • Donate/Support
  • Subscribe

Facebook Page

Facebook Page
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

© 2020 Mansa Banko Online | Powered by Faalen Technologies.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Agric
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Science/Tech
  • More
    • Education
    • Human Rights
    • Sports
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Migration
    • Opinion
    • Tourism

© 2020 Mansa Banko Online | Powered by Faalen Technologies.

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?