In partnership with the Government of Rwanda, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, is holding a three-day Intergovernmental Committee of Experts (ICE) Conference on 20th-22nd November in Kigali to help reach a regional consensus on how to move forward with the implementation of the AfCFTA. 

The theme of the meeting is: “Implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area in Eastern Africa: From Vision to Action”

 Over 250 participants - senior government officials, experts and representatives from the private sector from the 14 member States served by our Office for Eastern Africa will attend. 

Africa is already the leading trading partner for the EAC member states. But East African countries need to do more to tap into the dynamism of regional markets, especially at a time when global growth is still precarious and much of the world is concerned about the consequences of trade wars and disputes. ECA simulation work suggests that East Africa exports to Africa would increase by 31 percent if tariffs are eliminated on intra-African trade, and provide a welfare boost of US$ 1.4 billion USD. Pointedly, it would provide a significant stimulus to manufacturing sectors, particularly agro-industry.

 The ICE is a body set up by the General Assembly of the United Nations and is the statutory organ of the ECA Office for Eastern Africa. It includes representatives of the fourteen member States served by the office, as well as Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) of the sub-region, development partners, research centres and other stakeholders.