Capacity Development

Our focus

ECA’s core aim is to promote the efficient utilization of policy research in member States and to support Governments, and pan-African institutions, to build and strengthen the capabilities of their policymakers.

In this regard, the Commission provides policy advisory services to national, sub regional and regional institutions, and assists them in the formulation of strategies, programmes and projects. Priority areas of focus include the promotion of industrialization, the design and implementation of macroeconomic policies, development planning and natural resource management. Emphasis is also placed on disseminating regional and international best practice in public sector management to assist African countries to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their public sector.

Additionally, ECA helps member States to develop common negotiating positions and strategies in regional and global processes, and promotes their full participation in related forums.

The General assembly has mandated ECA, like other Regional Commissions, to coordinate and convene the Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) of UN agencies working in support of the African Union and its NEPAD programme. Support to the RCM which is co-chaired and co-convened by the African Union Commission is a key vehicle through which ECA supports capacity development in the continent. Moreover, recognizing that the successful implementation of NEPAD initiatives is essential to Africa’s progress, ECA also provides direct technical support to the NEPAD priority areas, as well as to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process, the APRM Secretariat and participating countries.