In Focus
In case you missed it:
- Relive the actions during the High-level Policy Dialogue at the Africa Dialogue Series 2023, focusing on each sub-theme: Boosting Trade Facilitation and Rethinking the Foundations of Africa’s Export Diversification; Growing Middle Class and Continental Import Substitution: Connecting the Dots to Unlock Made in Africa; and Digital Services Trade: Great Potential but Regulatory Frameworks Are Urgent.
- Read the statement of the United Nations Secretary-General at the High-level Policy Dialogue.
Welcome to the Africa Dialogue Series 2023
In 2023, the theme of the Africa Dialogue Series (ADS) is “Market and Scale: Unlocking Industrialization through Intra-African Trade,” which is anchored in the AU’s theme of the year and focuses on accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation, mobilizing political commitment to harness trade to boost development across Africa effectively.
The AfCFTA brings enormous opportunities
1.3 Billion
People served within a single market
US$450 Billion
Expected income increase by 2035
30 Million
People potentially lifted out of extreme poverty
Intra-Africa trade increases economies of scale, value addition, and diversification while reinforcing the continent’s resilience to external shocks by reducing dependency on other regions. The AfCFTA also has the potential to increase job opportunities for Africa’s youthful population and growing middle class. However, appropriate governance mechanisms must be in place to maximize these opportunities while multiplying initiatives to narrow the infrastructure deficit.
Throughout this Africa Dialogue Series 2023, the interlinkages between these challenges and opportunities and their impacts on the development of Africa are explored through the lenses of three sub-themes: 1. Boosting Trade Facilitation and Rethinking the Foundations of Africa’s Export Diversification; 2. Growing Middle Class and Continental Import Substitution: Connecting the Dots to Unlock Made in Africa; and 3. Digital Service Trade: Great Potential but Regulatory Frameworks Are Urgent.
Partners
The Africa Dialogue Series 2023 is organized by the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) and the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations (AUPOM) in partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
General Information
High-level Policy Dialogue
- Boosting Trade Facilitation and Rethinking the Foundations of Africa’s Export Diversification
- Growing Middle Class and Continental Import Substitution: Connecting the Dots to Unlock Made in Africa
- Digital Services Trade: Great Potential but Regulatory Frameworks Are Urgent
Sub-theme 3: Digital Services Trade: Great Potential but Regulatory Frameworks Are Urgent
- Documentary Video Screening
- Video Interviews with Experts
- International Webinar
- Youth Voices
- African Music Videos
Sub-theme 2: Growing Middle Class and Continental Import Substitution – Connecting the Dots to Unlock Made in Africa
- Documentary Video Screening
- Video Interviews with Experts
- International Webinar
- Youth Voices
- African Music Videos
Sub-theme 1: Boosting Trade Facilitation and Rethinking the Foundations of Africa’s Export Diversification
- Documentary Video Screening
- Video Interviews with Experts
- International Webinar
- Youth Voices
- African Music Videos
Opening Messages
- Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
- H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission