Madam Nadia FETTAH, Minister of Economy and Finance, chaired the opening ceremony of the Ministerial 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), hosted by Morocco from March 28 to April 3, 2026, at the Palace of Arts and Culture in Tangier, under the theme: “Growth through innovation: Harnessing data and cutting-edge technologies for Africa’s economic transformation.”
During this ceremony, opening addresses were delivered by the Minister in her capacity as Chair of the outgoing Bureau of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance (COM57), Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Mrs. Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly, and Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the ECA. The Minister also delivered a speech on behalf of the host country’s Government.
In her opening remarks of the Ministerial Segment, the Minister emphasized the importance that the Kingdom of Morocco attaches to strengthening relations of cooperation and partnership with Africa, in line with the enlightened vision of His Majesty the King, may God assist Him.
She also congratulated the ECA on the choice and relevance of the theme of this Conference of Ministers, recalling that technology and innovation are now considered drivers of economic transformation in several countries.
In this regard, Madam Nadia FETTAH highlighted the strategic potential of technological revolutions, stressing that they represent an opportunity to foster sustainable, inclusive and job-creating growth, while strengthening the competitiveness of African economies and their integration into the global economy.
Referring to the experience of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Minister emphasized the significant investments made in the field of digital infrastructure and the ambitious strategies launched to accelerate the Kingdom’s digital transformation, notably through the expansion of broadband access, the development of e-government, the strengthening of digital skills and youth employability, as well as support for the emergence of dynamic digital ecosystems.
Finally, the Minister underlined the importance of converging efforts, pooling resources, sharing experiences and coordinating actions among African countries, to ensure the successful transition of their economies by making innovation and technology drivers of sustainable, inclusive and job-creating growth for their populations.
It should be noted that this Ministerial Segment meeting was preceded by the meeting of the Committee of Experts from March 28 to 30, 2026, as well as side events held on March 31 and April 1, 2026.
Furthermore, the work of COM58 will be crowned by the adoption of a Ministerial Declaration, which is expected to call on African States and the ECA to continue their efforts toward adopting digital strategies that promote innovation and digital technologies.
