The Special African Union (UA) Summit on Africa’s Industrialization and Economic Diversification and the work of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ZLECAF) opened on Friday in Niamey, Niger, with the participation of Morocco. where The Kingdom is represented by the Minister of Industry and Trade. Riyad Mezzur.
The 17th Extraordinary Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification will be held under the theme of ‘Industrialization in Africa: A New Commitment to Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization and Economic Diversification.
The aim is to highlight Africa’s determination and a renewed commitment to industrialization as one of the strategic pillars for achieving the continent’s economic growth and development goals set out in Agendas 2063 and 2030.
The Summit concludes with statements by Heads of State and Government. In particular, new high-level political commitments and determinations are expected to accelerate the industrialization process in Africa, in tandem with the development of ZLECAF regulations.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (ZLECAF) was officially launched at the 12th Special Summit of Heads of State held in Niamey in July 2019.
Three years later, the progress in facilitating the process of economic integration and ownership among ZLECAF member countries is remarkable. The treaty has so far registered 54 signatures and 44 ratifications.
The African Union Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification will be held as part of the annual celebration of African Industrialization Week.
As a reminder, every November 20th is celebrated as Africa Industrialization Day. The day was adopted in July 1989 by the Conference of Heads of State of the Organization of African Unity in Addis Ababa, (Ethiopia)
Africa Industrialization Day provides an opportunity for key stakeholders to reflect on Africa’s industrialization and how the continent can transform its current” status quo”.
Since 2018, Africa Industrialization Day has been celebrated with a week-long event that represents a break from the tradition of a single day and will serve as a tool to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063 and accelerate action towards 2063. provides more time to reflect on structural changes in Goals 2030 for Sustainable Development (Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs).