Port Louis, Mauritius – 25 February - H.E. Mr Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) on 24 February 2016, concluded a three-day official mission to Mauritius. The high level AU delegation to the Republic of Mauritius discussed among other current issues, preparations ahead of the inaugural African Economic Platform (AEP) to be held in Port Louis, Mauritius from 14 to 15 April 2016.

The AUC Deputy Chairperson was accompanied by some officials of AUC and the AU Foundation (AUF), as well as the Ambassador and Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Mauritius in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Announced by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, during the just-concluded 26th AU Summit of Heads of State and Government, the AEP will contribute to fast track African economic transformation toward the realisation of Africa’s Agenda 2063.

During his visit, Deputy Chairperson Mwencha and his delegation held series of meetings with government officials to discuss and make necessary arrangements to ensure the successful hosting of the African Economic Platform.

He met with the Acting President of Mauritius H.E Monique Ohsan Bellepeau, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, H.E. Etienne Sinatambou, the Governor of Mauritius Central Bank, Mr. Rameswurlall Basant, the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, and the Secretary General of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

They all expressed their respective support for the AEP, particularly as it will help to accelerate Africa's economic transformation particularly as it will help to achieve the vision of Agenda 2063.

The participants expected to attend this first African Economic Platform will come from the public sector, led by Heads of State and Government; the African private sector, led by captains of commerce and industry; and the African higher education sector.

This is a strategic approach by the African Union to bring together these three sectors to engage in discussions on cooperation and collaboration deemed to be critical for the continent’s growth and tangible economic transformation.

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This platform is expected to be an annual event following the outcome of a 2014 Ministerial retreat of the AU Executive Council among others.

Media Contacts:

Esther Azaa Tankou | Ag. Director of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: Yamboue@african-union.org I Tel: +251 911361185

Patience Ukama/ Head: Communications/ African Union Foundation/ media@africaunion.org / +27 11 313 5105

For further information:

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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