The African Association of Economic Zones organized on December 03, 2020, on the sidelines of the "AfCFTA Business Forum", its 5th Annual Convention in a digital format, under the theme: "The Contribution of Economic Zones in the implementation of the ZLECAF and Strengthening African Integration”.
The event is organized in partnership with the African Union Commission and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr Fouad Brini, President of Tanger Med and Honorary President of the African Association of Economic Zones, and Mr Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry within the Union African.

The ceremony was followed by speeches by the President of the African Development Bank Mr. Akinwumi Adesina, the Director in charge of investments and enterprises within UNCTAD Mr. James X. Zhan, the President of AFRIXIMBANK Dr. Benedict Oramah, and of the Deputy Director General within the World Trade Organization Dr Yonov Frederick Agah.

The event saw the participation of several high-level experts who came to discuss the implementation of the ZLECAF continental free trade area, the contribution of economic zones as well as the challenges and opportunities for generating growth, encouraging regional integration and support the development of intra-African trade.

Four economic zone development models were also presented during this meeting: Tanger Med Zones for Morocco, the Department of Trade and Industry for South Africa, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority for Nigeria and Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority for Djibouti. During the closing ceremony, Mr. Ahmed BENNIS, Secretary General of the African Association of Economic Zones said "African economic zones must offer better conditions to attract more investment, contribute to the development of value chains continents and support the creation of a single and united market within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement”.

Nearly 500 delegates connected virtually to this important event representing 68 countries including 63 African economic zones, 30 partners and experts, as well as several representatives of government authorities, international institutions and public and private organizations. The African Association of Economic Zones (AEZO) was founded in November 2015 by Tanger Med with the participation of representatives from several other African economic zones. It brings together the main African economic zones and institutions in charge of the development, management and promotion of economic zones in Africa. It offers a platform for exchange and sharing for the benefit of the ecosystem of economic zones in Africa. The Association currently has more than 80 members representing 42 African countries.