The Horn of Africa countries have the opportunity to tap into their huge natural resources and an abundant labour force to transform their economies through disciplined planning and investing in human capital and in critical infrastructure. Abundant land for agricultural development, the discovery of oil and gas in Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia, and gold in Eritrea and Ethiopia, amongst others can fuel the regions’ development potential. Unfortunately, this region is constantly plagued with conflict which is highly disruptive to development.

The Governance and Human Security Cluster of the Capacity Development Division (CDD) of ECA has been tasked with preparing a study on Horn of Africa, Root Causes, Impact & Human and Economic Cost of Conflict, as part of its mandate.  Following the development of the study, an Ad-hoc Expert Group Meeting will be held on 8 - 9 September 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya to review the study which attempts, through research, to answer the following questions: 

1. What are the root causes of conflict in the Horn of Africa?
2. What are the human and economic costs of the conflict?
3. What is the impact on development? 

The expert group meeting will:

1. Discuss the findings and outcomes of the research study
2. Review and validate the knowledge products generated through the research.
3. Consider the way forward 

At the end of the two days meeting it is expected that the quality of the study will be improved, with a view to strengthening the capacity of countries in the Horn of Africa countries in their post-conflict reconstruction and peace building processes so as to promote socioeconomic development.