The Executive Secretary of SADC H.E. Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax held consultations with the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr Akinwumi Adesina on 26 September 2015 in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA. The objective of the meeting was to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation on issues of regional integration.
The meeting placed emphasis on the importance of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and regional integration as an economic driver. It was noted that the AfDB is focusing on five key areas to drive economic growth in Africa i.e. Light up and power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialize Africa; Integrate Africa and improve quality of life for Africans. It was agreed that concrete actions for implementation would be discussed during a meeting of the President of the AfDB and Heads of RECs, to be convened by the AfDB in the near future.
The AfDB is one of the key Partners of the SADC Region, providing support at the national level through bilateral cooperation with individual SADC Member States as well as support at the regional level through support for regional programmes through cooperation with the SADC Secretariat.
Inserted Photo, from left to right:
East African Community (EAC), Secretary General, Dr Richards Sezibera, SADC Executive Secretary, Dr. Stergomena L. Tax, African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina and Economic Community of West African States Commission (ECOWAS) President Mr. Kadre Ouedraogo
