Category: UNCTAD

Rethinking the Foundations of Export Diversification in Africa

Soaring food and energy prices are hitting African countries especially hard as they struggle with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and the war in Ukraine. To cope with current crises and insulate itself against future shocks, Africa must diversify its economies. The continent of 1.4 billion people is among the least diversified regions in the world with regard to exports. Download the full report Download the executive summary Commodities account for more than 60% of total merchandise […]

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Handbook on special economic zones in Africa

 Towards economic diversification across the continent Special economic zones are widespread across the developing world. Policymakers seek to develop special economic zones with the aim of attracting foreign direct investment, achieving higher experts and creating jobs. Indirect economic benefits range from upgrading of the local industrial base to being catalysts for innovation, knowledge and technological spillovers. Against a backdrop of growing global interest in zone-based development strategies, an increasing number of countries are adopting new special economic zone regimes […]

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UNCTAD Secretary-Genral Kituyi wins award for promoting intra-African trade

UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi today won an award for his tremendous contribution to the conceptualization, development and launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), under which trading commenced on 1 January. The AfCFTA created the world’s largest free trade area, a $3.4 trillion market that will ease trade across borders for the continent’s 1.3 billion people. It will also promote industrialization, create jobs and improve the competitiveness of African industries on the global stage. Dr. Kituyi was recognized […]

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