AUDA-NEPAD's CEO, Nardos Bekele-Thomas convened Africa’s Finance & Planning Ministers to tackle Africa’s shifting economic landscape, rising global protectionism, and shrinking external financing. The meeting provided a platform for African countries to share perspectives on how to cushion vulnerable industries against trade disruptions, tariff increases, and financial volatility.

Some of the concerns raised by member states included: 

✅ AGOA & Market Access – Sustaining trade benefits amid uncertainty.

✅ Shrinking External Financing – Strengthening Africa’s role in global finance.

✅ Coordinated Continental Response – Addressing fiscal and employment impacts.

✅ South-South Cooperation – Fortifying partnerships via the Buenos Aires framework.

✅ Intra-African Trade – Attracting manufacturers to localize operations.

✅ Leveraging AfCFTA – Aligning policies with budgets for economic growth.

✅ Currency Hedging – Mitigating financial instability.

✅ Supply Chain Diversification – Managing trade diversion and dumping.

✅ Empowering Youth & Women – Supporting SMEs as drivers of innovation.

The CEO also outlined initiatives to strengthen Africa’s economic positioning:

- AfCFTA Implementation – Advancing intra-African trade, industrialization & integration.

- Agenda 2063 Domestication – Driving long-term economic planning.

- PIDA Acceleration – Expanding infrastructure to support AfCFTA's success.

- Catalytic Project Fund – Finance transformative ventures.

- Policy Harmonization – Build a unified trade & economic framework.

- Renewable Energy Transition – In partnership with GEIDCO.

In summary, Africa must not just anticipate global shocks—but shape them.

Source: AUDA-NEPAD