Malabo, 13 February 2023 (ECA) - the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Sub-Regional Office for Central Africa (SRO-CA), in collaboration with the ECA African Trade Policy Center (ATPC), is currently providing support to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea in the development of a national strategy for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in cooperation with the African Union Commission and with the financial support of the European Union (EU). In this context, an ECA SRO-CA delegation comprised of Ms. Caitlyn Carrico, Economic Affairs Officer, and Mr. Thiago Silveira Gasser, Associate Economic Affairs Officer, will carry out a mission in Malabo from 13 to 17 February 2023 to officially launch consultations on the national AfCFTA strategy for Equatorial Guinea as well as to raise awareness on the AfCFTA and the process of AfCFTA strategy development and implementation.
The delegation will hold bilateral consultations with Ministries and government institutions to promote the potential of the AfCFTA for the economy of Equatorial Guinea as well as to gain critical inputs on strategy development. Planned meetings include a high-level meeting with the Ministry of Trade and promotion of small and medium enterprises as well as technical meetings with teams from the Ministries of Trade and promotion of small and medium enterprises, Planning, Industry, Regional integration, Hydrocarbons, Agriculture, livestock and forestry, the National Statistics Office, and Customs. The Team will also meet with civil society actors including the Chamber of Commerce and Universities. A national consultant has been recruited and will accompany the delegation during these meetings.
These comprehensive consultations across the public and private sector will inform the development of the strategy, as well as sensitize political decision-makers and the general public on the challenges and opportunities presented by the AfCFTA for Equatorial Guinea. The delegation will also take this opportunity to present the structure of the national strategy and will collect inputs and identify sectors considered to be priorities for the national development, aiming to obtain a strategy that best meets the needs and aspirations of the population of Equatorial Guinea.
A mission for the validation of the national AfCFTA strategy for Equatorial Guinea is being planned for the end of March 2023.
Contact Media
Lot Tcheeko, Knowledge Management Officer
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
637, rue 3.069, Quartier du Lac, Yaounde, Cameroon
Tel: +237 222504321