The Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) is set to host the third annual Africa Economic Symposium (AES) on July 14 and 15, 2025, in Rabat.
Under the theme “Bold Choices in the Face of Global Change,” the symposium aims to be a pivotal moment for re-evaluating priorities, exchanging experiences, and forging future pathways to address contemporary challenges facing the African continent.
The event will convene a distinguished gathering of renowned economists, policymakers, and academics from diverse backgrounds. Participants will critically examine economic policies on the African continent amidst a backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions, persistent inflation, and increasing fiscal pressures.
The conference agenda is structured around two primary themes. The first will delve into macroeconomic policy challenges, including discussions on monetary stability, fiscal sustainability, and public policy preferences. The second theme will explore key drivers of economic transformation across Africa, with particular attention given to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the development of regional economic corridors, the emergence of central bank digital currencies, and innovative sources of development financing.
A roster of prominent keynote speakers has been announced, featuring figures such as Andrew Dabalen, Chief Economist for the Africa Region at the World Bank Group; Nardos Bekele-Thomas, Managing Director of AUDA-NEPAD; and Melaku Desta, Coordinator of the African Trade Policy Centre at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Other notable speakers include Arkebe Oqubay Metiku, Professor at SOAS in London and former Advisor to the Ethiopian Prime Minister, and Faizel Ismail, Director of the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance.
Organized by the PCNS, also known for forums like the Atlantic Dialogues and APSACO, the AES has cemented its reputation as a premier platform for economic discourse in Africa. Previous editions have attracted nearly 200 participants from 40 countries, underscoring its growing influence and importance in shaping the continent’s economic future.
MK/Sf/te/fss/abj/APA