The objective of this session is to analyse and debate the potential consequences of the Protocol of the Free Movement of Persons in Eastern Africa and its expected impact on citizens. While other aspects of the AfCFTA seem to be gaining momentum, there is some reticence regarding the free movement of persons as evidenced by the signing of the Protocol on the free movement of persons by only half of African States. This session will discuss the case for free movement, as an integral part of the AfCFTA.
Moderator: Lerato Mbele, Presenter, Africa Business Report at BBC World News
Presentation:Emelang Leteane, Social Affairs Officer, ECA
Panel discussion:
- Regis Gatarayiha, Director General of Immigration and Emigration, Rwanda (TBC)
- Linda Oucho, African Migration and Development Policy Centre, Kenya
- Cyrus Munyaburanga Nkunsi, CEO Governance for Africa, AU ECOSOCC, Rwanda
Moderator: Ambassador Peter Robleh, The Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute
Presentations:
- Energy Security Policy Framework of the East African Community- Yohannes Hailu, Economic Affairs Officer, ECA
- The East African Monetary Union – Ready or Not? – Thomas Kigabo, Chief Economist, National Bank of Rwanda.
The Ad Hoc Expert Group Meetings (AEGMs) will Facilitate brain-storming by regional experts in smaller groups. In each case, presentations will be made by regional experts, and subsequently, participants will debate, with the objective of defining some actionable policy recommendations. Each group will select a rapporteur, who will present the findings to the ICE on Day 3 of the meeting.
Parallel Session I: “Trade Facilitation and Manufacturing – How to leverage New Opportunities in Intra-African Trade”
Given the importance of regional integration for industrialization in the region, it is important to tackle Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) and analyse how trade facilitation can boost trade and manufacturing in the region. Against this background, this session seeks to examine:
a) The scale of trade facilitation in the Eastern Africa region;
b) The economic impact of trade facilitation on trade and manufacturing;
c) The challenges in implementing trade facilitation in the region.
Presentations and Panelists:
- Rodgers Mukwaya, Economic Affairs Officer, Office for Eastern Africa, ECA
- Kato Kimbugwe, Trade Facilitation Expert
- Patience Mutesi, Trade Mark East Africa
- Robert Opirah, Director General MINICOM Rwanda
- Peter Mathuki, Ag. Executive Director, East African Business Council
Parallel Session II: “Balance of Payments Constraints on Economic Growth in Eastern Africa and its relevance to the AfCFTA”
The session will present econometric results of the study into the determinants of economic growth in the Eastern Africa, from a demand-side, balance-of- payments constraint, perspective. The following questions will be discussed:
a) What are the principal economic causes and consequences of balance of payments deficits inEastern Africa?
b) What are the implications of the funding gap on the balance of payments for regional growth and development?
c) In the context of the AfCFTA, what policy measures can be implemented to address the persistent trade deficits?
Download Balance of Payment Paper(Draft)
Presentations and Panelists:
- Andrew Mold, Acting Director, Office for Eastern Africa, ECA
- Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda
- Brad McDonald, Deputy Chief, External Policy Division, IMF
- Mulu Gebreeyesus Gebreyohaness, Senior Researcher Fellow, Ethiopian Development Research Institute
- Anthony Mveyange, Research and Impact Director, TradeMark East Africa
- Enock Nyorekwa Twinoburyo, Senior Economist, SDG Center for Africa
Parallel Session III: “Towards Energy Security in Eastern Africa: Maximising the Gains from the AfCFTA”
Security of supply of electricity, oil and gas and biomass in Eastern Africa is fundamental to mitigating the socioeconomic impacts of supply disruptions and supporting structural transformation with secure energy. On the basis of the EAC Energy Security Policy Framework, this session will review the proposed approaches to mitigating energy insecurity and engage participating experts towards better awareness of the framework towards better country energy security management. The session will address three key issues:
a) What are the impacts of energy insecurity on socioeconomic development in Eastern Africa?
b) How can the EAC Energy Security Policy Framework mitigate energy insecurity in the region?
c) How can member States move towards designing and implementing national energy security strategies?
Presentations and Panelists:
- Yohannes Hailu, Economic Affairs Officer, ECA
- Robert Nyamvumba, Director of Energy, MININFRA, Rwanda
- Elsam Byempaka, Senior Energy Expert, East African Community
- Dieudonné Ishimwe, Rwanda Inspiration Backup Ltd
- Michael Ahimbisibwe, Executive Director, EACREEE
Parallel Session IV: “Promoting services trade within the AfCFTA: The Sustainable Financing of Tourism”
The main goal of this AEGM will be to explore avenues through which financing for tourism development in the Eastern Africa region could be sustained in line with the African Union Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. This will be done through the sharing of best practice across the globe, the continent and the region. In particular, the session will address the following issues:
a) The region’s share remains small in terms of global tourism investment. What measures could be undertaken to reverse this trend?
b) What models for tourism investment and financing would be relevant to facilitate fasteer tourism growth and development and what policy measures would be appropriate?
c) In view of the fact that the involvement of Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises ( SMMEs) has been minimal in tourism development, what policy measures could be undertaken to address the challenges that such enterprises face?
Presentations and Panelists:
- Geoffrey Manyara, Tourism Expert, Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa, ECA
- Ms Belize Kariza, Head of Tourism, RDB, Rwanda
- Salifou Siddo, Tourism Financing Expert, SME Trade Links
- Jonah Orumoi, CEO, Tourism Finance Corporation, Kenya
- Ms Nura-Lisa Karamagi, CEO, Hotel Association of Tanzania