The symposium is organized for the successful harmonization of frameworks for the development and operationalization of next-generation special economic zones (SEZs) in Africa. It aims to co-create an inter-agency working group and a robust regional cooperation platform to accelerate the operationalization of industrialization strategies and the implementation of high-potential value chain and SEZ approaches

The three days allowed the launch of work to develop a joint program aimed at supporting the states of the sub-region in the development and implementation of SEZs, which would contribute to inclusive and sustainable industrialization and other sustainable development goals. wider economic and social dimensions

Pour Jean Luc Mastaki, directeur du Bureau sous-régional pour l' Afrique centrale de la CEA, “l' Afrique centre dispose abundant natural resources that need to be further processed locally, thus allowing the subregion to accelerate its industrialization and diversification process. And the development of new generation SEZs is one of the means to achieve this objective.” For the ECA, SEZs are a necessity to fill the industrial gap after decades of destructuring economic models, due to structural adjustment plans and internal reforms in Central African states