By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The Central Bank of Eswatini
has participated in high-level African Union meetings in Abidjan, Côte
d’Ivoire, focused on strengthening Africa’s financial systems, accelerating
industrialisation and promoting sustainable economic development across the continent.
Deputy Governor of the
Central Bank of Eswatini, Felicia Dlamini-Kunene, represented the institution
at the African Union’s 9th Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical
Committee (STC) on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and
Integration, held alongside the 5th STC Session on Trade, Tourism, Industry and
Minerals.
The meetings were convened
under the theme, “Financing Africa’s Industrialisation for Sustainable
Development,” bringing together ministers, central bank officials, policymakers
and development partners to discuss strategies for advancing Africa’s economic
transformation.
Key discussions focused on
strengthening Africa’s financial architecture, mobilising resources for
development and reforming financial systems to expand access to affordable
long-term financing for industrial growth.
Participants also explored
measures to enhance trade, regional integration and investment flows as part of
broader efforts to support sustainable economic development across African
countries.
A major outcome of the
meetings was the adoption of the Abidjan Declaration, which is expected to
provide strategic guidance for implementing key continental initiatives,
including the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Action Plan for Accelerated
Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA).
The declaration outlines
priorities for improving economic cooperation, strengthening industrial
capacity and creating an enabling environment for investment and inclusive
growth.
