SESRIC in collaboration with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) co-organized a Special Session on “Impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on selected Member States of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Africa” during the 25th Annual Conference on Global Economic Analysis , which took place virtually during 8-10 June 2022 under the theme of ‘Accelerating Economic Transformation, Diversification and Job Creation’.

With 27 African countries that are members of the OIC, the AfCFTA is considered as a powerful vehicle for enhancing trade flows, growth and sustainable development of their member countries. Greater economic integration as well as increased trade flows among African OIC countries could help bridging the gaps between OIC members, increase intra-OIC trade and offer new opportunities for the creation of value chains.

The Special Session co-organized by SESRIC-ITFC-UNECA provided an opportunity to examine and discuss the impacts of the AfCFTA on selected African OIC countries by featuring four technical presentations, two of which were delivered by SESRIC on the outcomes of the research projects initiated in partnership with ITFC. Research collaboration between SESRIC and ITFC aims to analyze the expected implications of the AfCFTA on African OIC countries with a view to supporting the decision making process during the implementation of the AfCFTA.

The Special Session took place at 13.00-15:15 (GMT+3) on 8 June 2022 and was chaired by Mr. Stephen Karingi from UNECA. Further information can be found at:

https://www.gtap.agecon.purdue.edu/events/Conferences/2022/index.aspx