The Kingdom of Morocco is hosting, from March 28 to April 3, 2026, at the Palace of Arts and Culture in Tangier, the proceedings of the 58th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, under the theme “Growth through innovation: Leveraging data and cutting-edge technologies for Africa’s economic transformation.”
This edition, named “COM58,” is of particular significance, as it is being organized for the second time in Tangier, in commemoration of the historic session of 1960. The last two editions held in Morocco took place in 2014 and 2019 in Marrakech, thus marking a founding moment of Morocco’s anchoring within the African economic dynamic. Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the ECA on January 22, 2026, concerning the arrangements for organizing COM58, the Ministry of Economy and Finance established specialized committees in charge of the scientific, organizational, logistical and protocol aspects to ensure the success of this major conference.
Mr. Mohammed Tarik BCHIR, Acting Director of the Treasury and External Finance, represented the Minister of Economy and Finance at the opening ceremony of the experts’ segment of the 58th session of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (COM58) of the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
In his opening remarks at the experts’ segment, the Acting Director of the Treasury and External Finance emphasized the importance that the Kingdom of Morocco attaches to strengthening cooperation and partnership relations with Africa, in accordance with the enlightened vision of His Majesty the King, may God assist him.
He, then, congratulated the ECA for the choice and relevance of the theme of this conference, recalling that technology and innovation are now considered drivers of economic transformation in several countries..
In this context, he pointed out that these technological revolutions offer an unprecedented opportunity for our continent, which could turn them into a lever for sustainable, inclusive, and job-creating growth for our African economies.
On the sidelines of the proceedings of this opening session, Mr. Mohammed ARROUCHI, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Morocco to the African Union and the ECA, Mr. Ahmed Amin BENJELLOUN TOUIMI, Director General of Barid Al-Maghrib, Mr. Mohammed Tarik BCHIR, Acting Director of the Treasury and External Finance, and Mrs. Hanane MORSY and Mrs. Mama KEITA, the two Deputy Executive Secretaries of the ECA, took part in the ceremony for the presentation of the COM58 event stamp issued by Poste Maroc. This is a tribute to the long-standing relationship between Morocco and the ECA.
It should be noted that COM58 is structured into two segments: An Experts segment from March 28 to 30, 2026, and a Ministers segment from April 2 to 3, 2026, as well as side events from March 31 to April 1, 2026.