FAQ
1. How many Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are recognised by the African Union as the pillars of the envisaged African Economic Community?
There are 8 RECs recognised as the pillars of the African Economic community and they are: Arab-Maghreb Union(UMA), Common Market for eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Community of the Saharan-Sahel region (CEN-SAD), East African Community (EAC), Economic Commission for Central African States (ECCAS), Economic Commission for West African States ( ECOWAS), Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
2. Why is there confusion as to the number of African Member States being 54 or 55 ?
The withdrawal by Morocco from the African Union after the admission of Western Sahara as an independent state also known as the Saharawi Republic into the Union in 1985 means that should Morocco come back into the African Union and Western Sahara remain being recognised by the African Union as an independent state, the number of states in the Union will become 55.
3. Which three Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are working to Africa’s first Grand Free Trade Area also known as the “Tripartite free Trade Area” ?
The Common Market for eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are working to become a Grand Free Trade Area comprising 26 Member States of the combined RECs whose potential is garnered by more than 527 million people and a Gross domestic product (GDP) of more than 600 Billion US Dollars. The 26 member countries of the Tripartite make up over 50% of the population of the African Union (AU) and just over 58% in terms of contribution to GDP. This makes the Tripartite vital to the envisaged single market and continental integration of the African Economic Community (AEC).
4. The Headquarters of the African Union Commission are located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Where are the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency and the Pan African parliament located?
The NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency and the Pan African Parliament are both physical located in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa BUT are not within the same premises.
5. The Headquarters of the African Union Commission are located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Where are the offices of the African Court on Human and People’s rights located?
The African Court on Human and People’s rights is located in Arusha, Tanzania which is incidentally the same location of the Headquarters of the East African Community Commission Headquarters BUT not within the same premises.
6. Which 3 institutions have been mandated as the Joint Secretariat of the African Economic Community ?
The African Union (AU), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have a long history of collaboration and in its 25th Ordinary Sessions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 24 to 26 July 1989, the OAU endorsed in its resolution AHG/Res. 179 (XXV) the establishment of the Joint Secretariat of the African Economic Community consisting of OAU, ECA and AfDB.
7. What does the acronym PIDA stand for?
PIDA stands for Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa. The programme was designed as successor to the NEPAD Medium to Long Term Strategic Framework (MLTSF), to develop a vision and strategic framework for the development of regional and continental infrastructure (Energy, Transport, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Trans-boundary Water Resources). The African Development Bank is the Executing Agency for PIDA with leadership being horned by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency. The Bank’s role as executing agency covers the responsibility for contractual, financial, technical and administrative management of the programme including responsibility for procurement procedures, in conformity with its existing regulations, budget management and disbursements.
8. What does the acronym APRM stand for?
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is a mutually agreed instrument voluntarily acceded to by the Member States of the AU as an African self-monitoring mechanism. The APRM is a bold, unique and innovative approach designed and implemented by Africans for Africa.
Launched in 2003 by the African Union (AU), the mandate of the APRM is to encourage conformity in regard to political, economic and corporate governance values, codes and standards, among African countries and the objectives in socio-economic development within the New Partnership for Africa's Development.
The objectives of the APRM are primarily to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration through experience sharing and reinforcement of successful and best practices, including identifying deficiencies and assessment of requirements for capacity building.
9. What does the acronym NEPAD stand for?
NEPAD stands for “New Partnership for Africa’s Development”. Adopted at the July 2001AU Summit of African Heads of States and Government held in Lusaka, NEPAD was ratified by the African Union (AU) in 2002 to address Africa's development problems within a new paradigm. NEPAD's main objectives are to reduce poverty, put Africa on a sustainable development path, halt the marginalization of Africa, and empower women. The Partnership provides a comprehensive, integrated development plan that addresses key social, economic and political principles for the continent.