African sub-regional bodies enhances cooperation for sustainable dev’t on continent
Sub-regional economic bodies in Africa have affirmed their commitment to deepen collaborations in order to promote trade, peace and security, and other economic activities among African countries.
Under the auspices of the Inter-Regional Economic Communities (RECs), a platform of the eight RECS on the continent, the RECs stressed the importance of working together to ensure that African countries take full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as cooperate in other sectors for sustainable development.
The eight RECS made the commitment during its 6th meeting which was also used to officially handover the management of the platform from Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Other members of the platform are the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Community of Sahel and Saharan states (CEN–SAD) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
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The platform formed in July , 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya is meant to help in the coordination of activities among the RECs in critical issues such as security, institutional reforms, movement of people and goods, economic development and funding of developmental initiatives.
During the sixth meeting, the RECs discussed the implementation of the recommendations made during their last meeting held in Accra in July , 2024, resource mobilisation and how the platform will enhance cooperation with the African Union (AU).
Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, lauded the sterling achievements of West African Economic body during its tenure as Head of the platform.
“Since February 2024, we have witnessed remarkable progress in promoting regional integration, cooperation and development across our Member States. Through our collective commitment and unwavering dedication, we have strengthened the bonds that unite us and worked tirelessly to address some of the challenges facing our various regions and the African continent,” he said.
