Organized by the African Economic Zones Organization (AEZO) in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and Kenya’s Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry, the two-day event brings together over 400 participants, including ministers, representatives of African SEZs, international organizations, and economic stakeholders.

Under the theme 'Building Resilient, Inclusive, and Sustainable Economies: The Role of African SEZs in Attracting Impactful Investments and Redefining Competitiveness,' the meeting will explore key topics such as innovation, sustainability, and the competitiveness of SEZs, as well as their role in driving resilient and inclusive growth.

Participants will also examine the impact of SEZs in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and discuss best practices to enhance SEZ development and strengthen regional value chains.

Key issues to be addressed during the two-day event include the integration of SMEs, boosting intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the potential of SEZs to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), particularly from Europe.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Annual Meeting, Mehdi Tazi Riffi, President of AEZO and CEO of the Tanger-Med Group, emphasized that the Association aims to develop high-performing SEZs that effectively combine two key elements: logistics and industrial competitiveness.

Effective SEZs are a strategic tool to achieve key objectives, including strengthening Africa’s role in international and regional trade, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), and boosting the continent’s industrial GDP, explained Mehdi Tazi Riffi.

He highlighted that AEZO was established in 2015 by the Tanger-Med Group, with the aim of uniting Africa’s SEZs and addressing their need for a shared platform for collaboration and exchange.

In this regard, Mehdi Tazi Riffi referenced Kenya, the host country of the 2024 meeting, as a model for SEZ development, with 12 operational structures already in place and more underway.

The Kenyan President William Ruto, for his part, emphasized the importance of SEZs in advancing trade, production, and industrialization, stating that they also serve as "a catalyst to unlock the immense potential of the African continent."

Kenya remains committed to collaborative initiatives with other African nations to strengthen SEZs and drive collective transformation, said William Ruto, noting that this vision aligns with the AfCFTA, which represents a market of 1.4 billion people.

The opening ceremony featured the presence of Morocco's Ambassador to Kenya, Abderrazzak Laassel, and Kenya's Prime Minister, Musalia Mudavadi.

The event was also attended by Ahmed Bennis, CEO of Tanger-Med Zones (TMZ) and Secretary General of AEZO.

Since its establishment, the Tanger-Med Group, which operates and develops over 3,000 hectares of economic zones, has been fully committed to the association's growth.

As a model of success in Africa, it has worked to promote knowledge-sharing and collaboration among African economic zones, thereby accelerating the implementation of the AfCFTA and advancing the continent’s industrial integration.

A flagship event of the AUC and AEZO, the annual meeting of SEZs brings together government representatives, international experts, and economic stakeholders each year to provide in-depth insights into the development of economic zones across Africa.

Through these meetings, AEZO, which includes 92 members representing 46 countries, provides its members with a unique opportunity to expand networks, forge strong business alliances, and engage with key international decision-makers.