Abidjan, 13 June 2016 (ECA) - The Cabinet Director to the Ivorian Minister of Planning and Development, Mr. Yao Koffi, recently launched three key Economic Commission for Africa publications, including his nation’s Country Profile, lauding the organization for what he said were its sterling efforts in helping Africa realize sustainable economic development.
Speaking at a meeting organized to launch and disseminate Côte d'Ivoire’s Country Profile, Mr. Yao said the ECA had been indispensable in that way it has been churning out key publications that are meant to help Africa realize its full economic potential.
“I want to thank the ECA for its numerous areas of assistance in his country and also appreciated the fact that Côte d'Ivoire was given pride of place to host this launch," said Mr. Koffi, adding his country was grateful to the ECA and its leadership producing the Country Profile which he said it will use for planning purposes.
"ECA has fully and rationally grasped the real problems in Côte d'Ivoire, and my country will put in all efforts to solve the thorny issue of poverty," he added.
Also launched and presented to stakeholders were the ECA’s flagship report, the Economic Report on Africa 2016 titled; "Towards a Green Industrialization in Africa" and the ECA’s fourth report on Governance in Africa; "Measuring Corruption in Africa: The International Dimension Matters”.
The ECA was represented at the launch by Sub-Regional Office Director for West Africa, Mr. Dimitri Sanga.
Mr. Koffi said the Economic Report and the Governance in Africa report were all “relevant tools that the ECA is placing at the disposal of African countries in order to ensure their economic transformation and improve governance."
Speaking on behalf of Executive Secretary, Mr. Carlos Lopes, Mr. Sanga said three main points stood out from Côte d'Ivoire's Country Profile, that is a highly favourable macro-economic framework, a slight decline in poverty levels alongside health challenges and youth unemployment and an active process of economic diversification and industrial agro-processing.
“The choice of the theme for this year’s Economic Report on Africa; "Towards a Green Industrialization in Africa", confirms the priority given to structural transformation in Africa by the ECA working together with member States. Africa needs to industrialize and the report has many recommendations to help governments as they seek to transform their economies through green inclusive growth,” he said.
Participants also discussed the Report on Governance in Africa whose theme "Measuring Corruption in Africa: the International Dimension Matters" attracted much attention.
“The report deals with the involvement and responsibility of the private sector, non-State actors and foreign stakeholders in the area of corruption", said Mr. Sanga, adding the ECA places illegal financial outflows from the continent at more than $50 billion per year.
Much debate ensued the unveiling of the reports with participants agreeing that Africa needs to do more to address its socio-economic problems through industrialization, improved governance systems and putting more money in time in addressing poverty.
The launch was attended by senior government officials, representatives from the private sector, civil society, the African Development Bank, the National Institute for Statistics, the Higher National Institute for Statistics and Applied Economics (ENSEA), the media, United Nations agencies, universities, the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, experts and students.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economique Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: ecainfo@uneca.org