Keynote Address by H.E. Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission

The African continent is reeling from the economic fallout resulting from the 3 C’s, namely the COVID-19 crisis, the Russia-Ukraine Conflict and the effects of Climate Change. [...] The SME strategy prioritizes the development of small medium industries (SMIs), involved in agro-processing, and textiles, and garments, that have the potential to add value to domestic industrial inputs and raw materials, and create jobs especially for women and youth. [...] One of the quick response initiatives has been the collaboration between the African Union and the African Development Bank for the roll out of an emergency food production facility. [...] In 2020 during the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly, the African Union (AU) the African Union Assembly has declared 2020 to 2030 as the African Women’s Decade (AWD) for Financial and Economic Inclusion (FEI). [...] It is in this regard that the African Union is delighted by such initiatives as MOU signed between the AfCFTA Secretariat, the AUDA NEPAD and the Equity Group on the margins of the 41st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union that took place in Lusaka, Zambia earlier this month.