Africa Development Institute begins AEC

TUNIS: The African Development Institute (EADI) kicked off the African Economic Conference on October 29 in Kigali, Rwanda, with a curtain-raiser event, namely a workshop to enhance networking and policy dialogue among African think tanks. The workshop, titled “Flow of Funds and Africa’s Economic Transformation”, aims to enhance networking and policy dialogue among African think tanks and top government officials who are involved in policy design and implementation. Officially opened by Rwanda Finance and Economic Planning Minister John Rwangombwa, the workshop brought together key research organizations from the continent and globally to interact with policy-makers. The focus is on the use of the flow of funds framework for policy design and analysis in order for Africa to transition to economic transformation. Expressing worries about Africa attracting less than nine per cent Foreign Direct Investment, and the continued uncertainties in the global economy, Hon. Rwangombwa observed that this can be an opportunity for our continent. “Policy-makers working closely with researchers and think tanks of the continent can turn these challenges into opportunities,” he said. He also stressed that “Africa present itself as the most profitable and secure destination of investors’ funds that are scared of the problems in the Western markets. Speaking on the occasion, the Bank’s Regional Director, Gabriel Negatu, stressed the importance of the Bank’s Partnership with think tanks.