Every two years, The African Union Commission (AUC), Department for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals (ETTIM) organizes the Congress of African Economists (CAE). The CAE of the AUC is a platform for African economists to share research analysis on topics pertinent to Africa’s economic development. The 6th edition was hosted in Lusaka, Zambia from the 6-8 December 2023 on the theme “Financing African development beyond crises”.
The opening ceremony included the Keynote Address by the Minister of Education of Zambia, Honourable Douglas Syakalima, with opening statements from H. E. Amb. Albert Muchanga, AUC Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, Mr Thomas Huyghebaert Head of Policy and Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to the African Union, Prof. Barthelemy Biao, President of the Scientific Committee of the African Integration and Development Review as well as Dr. Jacob M. Mwanza, Chancellor, University of Zambia.
During the opening remarks Amb. Albert Muchanga and Mr Thomas Huyghebaert both acknowledging the contribution and importance of the joint Multi Donor Action (MDA) on Tackling Tax Related Illicit Financial Flows in Africa, co-funded by the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development,and Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland , implemented by GIZ through the Good Financial Governance in Africa Programme. Through the CAE, the AUC promotes research in strategic issues pertinent to Africa’s transformation to improve national policy formulation and implementation. It aims to enhance economic skills and capabilities of Africa’s workforce through links between research and the supply of skilled graduates.
The main objective of the 6th CAE was to foster a holistic understanding and strategic approach towards Africa’s economic transformation by addressing critical issues such as illicit financial flows, debt management, and sustainable development towards the achievement of Agenda 2063. On the last day of the congress the Lusaka Declaration was developed which highlighted topical economic issues that the AUC should raise on other platforms
