AfDB President - Regional Integration Vital to the Continent

4 March 2010
Content from a Premium Partner
African Development Bank (Abidjan)
press release

Location: London, United Kingdom

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group President, Donald Kaberuka, participated on Thursday, March 4, 2010, in London in a major international conference hosted by DFID to promote better regional economic integration in sub-Saharan Africa.

The event brought together some 170 people representing major countries, African institutions, donors, business entities, the academia, NGOs, think-tanks and others. Poor quality railways and roads, slow border crossings and port clearances contribute to Africa's transportation cost being the most expensive in the world. Higher transportation costs imply less profit for businesspeople who rely on railways and roads to get their goods to the markets.

Trade within the continent is, on average, just 10%, compared to the 65% of goods traded between European countries. Speaking during the event, Mr. Kaberuka said regional integration was vital to the continent, adding that it provided the underpinnings for private sector development and economic diversification.

Contacts

Joachim Arrey

Read the original article on African Development Bank (AfDB).

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