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AU 5th Symposium on SEZs and AEZO 7th Annual Meeting

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African Special Economic Zones are considered as one of the main instruments that stimulate economic reforms, promote quality FDI and accelerate industrialization across the continent. According to the African Economic Zones Outlook (Edition 2021), more than 200 SEZs are operational in Africa and 73 projects have been announced for completion in the 47 of the 54 countries. The total area dedicated to the development of SEZs exceeds 146,372 hectares of land, mobilizing more than $2.6Bn investments dedicated to agro-processing, manufacturing and services.

African policymakers seek to develop SEZs with the aim of attracting investment, creating jobs, boosting manufacturing production, exports of processed goods and much-needed industrial and economic diversification and Regional Value Chains Development. Indirect economic benefits range from upgrading of the local industrial base to being catalysts for innovation, knowledge and technological spillovers as SEZs can plant the seeds for not just the generation of significant direct employment, but also the transfer of knowledge and skills that can ignite enhanced innovation, productivity and economic growth.

Research and empirical evidence suggest that many African SEZs are still far from achieving their objectives even considering the most direct economic gains usually expected, such as increased FDI, exports and jobs (Farole, 2011). Moreover, many African SEZs have remained isolated enclaves, and failing to dynamize the surrounding industrial context. The reasons for such shortcomings frequently relate to the design and implementation of SEZ policies and programs. It is also a fact that, when dealing with SEZs investment, African countries inevitably interact with foreign investors, this has meant that African governments compete with one another to provide greater incentives to foreign investors, racing to the bottom. African SEZs are also entitled to promote knowledge transfer, peer to peer learning, and technical cooperation in the design and implementation of sustainable SEZs project. The unfolding of the fourth industrial revolution, the heightened focus on sustainable development and the new wave of global value chains will require greater adaptability and resilience in developing SEZ project.

In this context, the African Union Commission (AUC)’s Department of Trade and Industry and Africa Economic Zones Organization (AEZO) are joining efforts to organize the 5th AU Symposium on SEZs and the 7th edition of the AEZO Annual Meeting under the theme: “African Special Economic Zones: Engine for Resilience and Accelerator for Sustainable Industrial Value Chains Development”.

This year’s edition will pave the way for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Special Economic Zones scheme in Nigeria, and will gather prominent government officials, ministers, and heads of international organizations. This event will offer the opportunity to +400 participants to follow the deliberations and interact with eminent experts, academia, policy makers, financial institutions and C-level representatives from Economic Zones and Investment Promotion Agencies.


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EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

JOIN US THIS MORNING ON A JOURNEY INTO THE LIVES OF REMARKABLE HISTORICAL MUSLIM WOMEN

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We are honored to invite you to the maiden edition of the Muslim Women in History Series, on a journey into the lives and contributions of remarkable Muslim women who made history. In this first session, we’ll be exploring the inspiring legacies of Nana Khadija bint Khuwailid, Fatima al-Fihriyya, and Nana Asmau bint Usman Fodio — women whose courage, intellect, and faith continue to inspire us today.
📅 Date: 2nd November, 2024
🕒 Time: 10am – 12:30pm WA(Nigerian)  Time. 9:00 am
📍 Platform: Zoom:
To Register Click:
To Join the Event Click:
Join us for a powerful and insightful session honoring the lives of these exceptional women. We look forward to having you with us!
Hussain Yaqub
Event Coordinator

+233 55 661 3291


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Announcing Dr. Aishatu Usman Muhammad as a Speaker at the Maiden Edition of the Muslim Women in History Series

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We are honored to announce Dr. Aishatu Usman Muhammad as a distinguished speaker at the inaugural Muslim Women in History Series, where she will be presenting on the extraordinary legacy of Nana Asma’u bint Usman Fodio. Dr. Muhammad’s insights will illuminate Nana Asma’u’s contributions to Islamic scholarship, women’s education, and community empowerment—a subject close to her own professional and personal pursuits.

With over fifteen years of expertise in accounting, finance, and Islamic banking, Dr. Muhammad is a Lecturer at Gombe State University. She holds a BSc and MSc in Accounting from the University of Maiduguri and a Ph.D. in Islamic Finance from Universiti Sains Malaysia. Dr. Muhammad is also a Certified National Accountant (CNA) and Certified Islamic Finance Executive (CIFE) with diverse fellowships in human rights and gender advocacy.

Registration:

To participate in this event, please register through the following portal: Muslim Women In History Series.

We look forward to your participation in this important event!


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Announcement: Dr. Aishatu Umar Maigari as Distinguished Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker at the Maiden Edition of the Muslim Women in History Series

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We are honored to announce Dr. Aishatu Umar Maigari as the Distinguished Guest of Honour and keynote speaker at the inaugural edition of the Muslim Women in History Series.

Dr. Aishatu Umar Maigari, the Honourable Commissioner of Education for Gombe State, brings a wealth of experience and a remarkable track record in education and public service, making her an inspiring figure for this significant event.

Dr. Maigari’s distinguished career spans various high-profile roles, including her prior position as the Honourable Commissioner of Science, Technology, and Innovation for Gombe State, and her current academic role as an Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the Federal University, Kashere. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at North Eastern University, Gombe, and has risen through academia, with over 35 research publications in reputable journals.

As a Fellow of the Chemical Society of Nigeria and a member of the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, Dr. Maigari’s contributions extend beyond education into advocacy for rural youth and female empowerment. Her involvement as a Focal Person for UNICEF’s FTTSS program has supported hundreds of rural girls to pursue teaching, fostering educational opportunities for underprivileged communities.

In her role as keynote speaker, Dr. Maigari will share her insights on the impact of Muslim women in history, shedding light on their legacy and relevance in today’s society. Her presence is not only a celebration of past achievements but a powerful inspiration for future generations of women leaders.

Registration:

To participate in this event, please register through the following portal: Muslim Women In History Series.

We look forward to your participation in this important event!


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