Addis Ababa, January 24, 2025 – The International Conference on the Flotation of the Ethiopian Birr and Its Economic Implications, held at Skylight Hotel from January 23–24, 2025, concluded today with a powerful and inspiring session dedicated to Africa’s economic governance and the advancement of the Abuja Treaty’s six stages of integration.
The final session featured an engaging panel discussion on “Africa Economic Governance and the Implementation of the Six Stages of the Abuja Treaty.” Distinguished panelists included:
- Dr. Seife Tadelle Kidane, Director of CGIATS,
- Ambassador Williams Wallace, Head of Afrocacy Association,
- Dr. Constantinos Berhutesfa, development expert and governance specialist,
- Dr. Thomas Bwire, Representative from COMESA
The panel provided a comprehensive analysis of regional economic integration, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing policies and fostering collaboration among African nations to achieve sustainable development and economic resilience.
The discussion was followed by an interactive session with participants, who raised pertinent questions about the practical implementation of the treaty and its potential to transform Africa’s economic landscape.
The conference concluded with H.E. Teferi Tiyaru, Deputy Director of the Policy Studies Institute (PSI), delivering the closing remarks. He applauded the conference’s achievements, highlighting its role in fostering dialogue and generating actionable insights for Ethiopia’s economic reform and Africa’s broader governance agenda.
The Ethiopian Economics Association (EEA) also reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to organizing such platforms and pioneering research excellence. The association emphasized its dedication to producing evidence-based analyses to inform policy-making in Ethiopia and beyond, cementing its role as a leader in economic research and dialogue in Africa.
In a significant announcement, the session marked the inception of the African Economic Governance Forum, which will serve as a collaborative platform for policymakers, academics, and international organizations to address economic governance challenges and opportunities across the continent.
This groundbreaking conference has not only set the stage for Ethiopia’s currency floatation reforms but also laid the foundation for regional cooperation in economic governance, reinforcing Africa’s collective pursuit of prosperity.
