BUJUMBURA, October 2nd (ABP) – The 2nd joint session of the intergovernmental committee of senior officials and experts for Central and East Africa, which took place in Bujumbura and which was attended by more than 20 countries, ended on Friday September 29, 2023 and was intended to be promising if, at least, we analyze its conclusions.
The theme that guided that session throughout its duration was: “Establishing Central and Eastern Africa as a quality source and destination for investments of choice to accelerate industrialization, economic diversification and strengthen food security”.
Based on the discussions and debates following the experts’ presentations enriched by a certain number of panels, certain recommendations were issued.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and financial partners was recommended in particular to support economic diversification and the development of the value chain; to advocate for the inclusion of women in decision-making bodies and also help them in establishing links between them at the regional level.
To States, the recommendations were, among other things, to help small farmers to build and develop their capacities, but also and above all, to encourage the consumption of national food products, in order to reduce dependence on imports, recognize the potential of youth labor and technologies to make agriculture profitable. It was also recommended to support women in agribusiness, improve agricultural productivity through the adoption of technologies and encourage farmers to develop the irrigation system.
For his part, the representative of the Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Denis Ndagijimana, Director of Programming, indicated that he remains convinced that the conclusions resulting from the various discussions will contribute constructively to the socio-economic development of the respective States. He therefore urged the participants to take ownership of those conclusions by compiling them and implementing them in the respective countries.