Africa comprises about one billion people and is largely rich in natural resources. The realization of its natural, human and market potentials through addressing the key development challenges calls for concerted efforts by all stakeholders: government, private sectors and civic societies. All over Africa, the role of the private sector in the promotion of rapid and sustained economic growth and development is being increasingly recognized. Indeed, for the private sector to play its role as an engine of economic growth, it has to be effectively organized at national, regional and continental levels.
Recognizing the need for a stronger leadership for the African private sector, the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) took the initiative to organize the first All African Chambers of Commerce Conference under the theme “Private Sector” A venue for African Renaissance” which took place on November 25 and 26 2008 at UNCC in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:
This first Conference attracted business leaders from more than 30 countries worldwide and Chamber Representatives from 17 African Countries, The purpose of the Conference was to lay solid foundation for the emergence of vibrant chambers of commerce at all levels in Africa and empower them so that they can contribute towards the realization of a prosperous Africa. This Conference aimed at enhancing the role of all African Chambers as representatives of the private sector in their respective nations and to set the ground for the re-birth of strong continental chamber that serves as one platform, one voice, and with a common vision.
Outcome of the Conference:
The Conference passed a resolution to organize an Extraordinary General Assembly of African Chambers of Commerce within six months, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ECCSA was entrusted with the responsibility of organizing the Extraordinary General Assembly. The Conference also set up an Interim Committee representing 15 African Chambers drawn from Northern, Eastern, Western, Southern and Central Africa regional blocks. The Interim Committee was entrusted to review the various past endeavors and the statue of the Union of African Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Professions signed in 2005 and come up with the proposal for the rebirth of a strong continental Pan African Chamber.
Interim Committee Meeting
As per the resolution of the African Chambers of Commerce Conference held on November 25 and 26/09, the Interim Committee has held its first meeting on April 4/09 in Addis Ababa and deliberated on how best it could discharge its main responsibility of facilitating the rebirth of a strong and operational Pan African Chambers of Commerce.
The meeting was attended by participants representing DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Libya, Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania. Besides members of the Interim Committee, representative of the African Union as delegated by the Au Chair Person attended the meeting as an observer.
Agenda for discussion
Agenda for the Interim Committee (IC) meeting were the following:
Review the performance of the Interim Committee Secretariat
Suggest amendment on the existing statute of the Union of All African Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Professions.
Undertake the necessary preparation for organizing the upcoming Extraordinary General Assembly
Major Resolutions of the IC meeting
The meeting reviewed and proposed amendments on the Title, Organizational Structure, and Management of the Statute signed in 2005.
The meeting decided that the Extraordinary General Assembly meeting be held from July 6-7/09, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The Meeting also decided that the Secretariat set the Draft Agenda of the Extraordinary General Assembly meeting in close consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman and table it on the 2nd IC meeting in Tripoli, Libya for finalization.
Pan African Chambers Extraordinary General Assembly
On the basis of the resolution of the conference held on November 2008, the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations hosted the Extraordinary General Assembly Meeting on July 6-7, 2009 in Addis Ababa.
The main purpose was to capacitate African Chambers of Commerce as true representatives of the private sector so that the role of Chambers could be fully realized in a way that would have an impact on the African development and poverty alleviation endeavors.
Contact Information:
Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations
Tel 251-115522078/4005
Fax: 251-11-551 76 99
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia