Midrand, South Africa – 24 April 2025 – The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Continental Secretariat participated in an integral conference on Special Economic Zones (SEZs) held from 21 to 22 April 2025 in Djibouti City. The event focused on the significant role of SEZs in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and their importance for a more inclusive and resilient African economy. Senior policymakers, trade experts, representatives from African regional economic communities as well as other key representatives gathered to discuss the future of SEZs and their contributions to Africa’s economic transformation.
H.E. Ambassador A. Araita Ali, Vice Chairperson of the APRM Panel of Eminent Persons, represented H.E. Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the APRM Continental Secretariat, at the conference. Ambassador Araita had the honour of moderating a key panel session on “Investment Opportunities and Finance Institutions”. This panel focused on unlocking financing and investments for SEZs and advancing stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors. The session, held on 22 April, provided critical insights into how Africa can leverage its existing resources and infrastructure to accelerate industrialisation through SEZs.
The conference produced several significant outcomes aimed at strengthening the role of SEZs in Africa’s trade and development landscape. A key takeaway was the commitment to implementing the AfCFTA Ministerial Regulation on SEZs, which ensures that goods produced in SEZs are recognised as originating under the AfCFTA rules of origin. This is crucial for facilitating intra-African trade, as it removes barriers to market access and enhances the competitiveness of African products within the continent. Additionally, delegates emphasised the importance of aligning national SEZ policies with AfCFTA provisions to create a more harmonised and conducive environment for cross-border trade and investment among African nations.
Furthermore, emphasis was placed on the need to boost intra-African investment in resilient infrastructure and value chains, which are essential for long-term economic sustainability. SEZs are increasingly viewed as a driving force in diversifying African economies by supporting the development of high-value industries, boosting exports and enhancing job creation. The conference also explored the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs), highlighting how collaboration between governments and private enterprises can significantly enhance the impact of SEZs, particularly in advocating for sustainable employment opportunities and facilitating innovation in key sectors such as manufacturing, technology and logistics.
It was highlighted that SEZs, when strategically integrated into the AfCFTA framework, can play a transformative role in Africa’s industrialisation and economic diversification agendas. Especially in the context of ongoing global economic uncertainties, SEZs provide a promising avenue for building more resilient, inclusive and interconnected economies across the continent. The AfCFTA, with its focus on regional integration and market liberalisation, offers an ideal backdrop for maximising the potential of SEZs to contribute to sustainable economic growth.
The conference reaffirmed the shared vision among African leaders, policymakers and experts that effective SEZs, empowered by the AfCFTA, can not only enhance industrial output but also create an enabling environment for sustainable economic development, boost intra-African trade and reduce reliance on external markets. The APRM’s participation in this strategic regional dialogue aligns with its mandate to promote sound economic governance and the implementation of development-oriented policies across African Union Member States. As part of its mandate to track implementation of Agenda 2063, the APRM continues to support initiatives that drive Africa’s economic integration, development and prosperity.
By engaging in these high-level discussions, the APRM reaffirms its role as a key player in advancing Africa’s governance and economic transformation, ensuring that Member States remain on track to achieve the ambitious objectives of the AfCFTA and the broader vision of an integrated and prosperous Africa.
