United Nations Economic Commission for Africa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ![]() United Nations Economic Commission for Africa |
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Org type | Primary Organ - Regional Branch |
Status | Active |
Headquarters | Africa Hall, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
Website | www.uneca.org |
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (often called UNECA or ECA) is a special group that works to help countries in Africa grow and work together. It was started in 1958 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council. This group is one of five similar commissions around the world that are part of the United Nations.
The ECA has 54 member countries. These are all the countries in Africa or nearby islands that are also part of the United Nations. The main goal of the ECA is to help these countries develop their economies and improve social life. It also helps them work together more closely and get support from other countries for Africa's growth.
On October 6, 2023, Claver Gatete from Rwanda became the new leader of UNECA. He is called the Executive Secretary.
Contents
How UNECA Helps Africa
The ECA works on many different projects to help African countries. These projects are organized into seven main areas. They focus on making life better for people across the continent.
Main Programs and Focus Areas
- African Centre for Statistics: This group collects and uses numbers and facts to understand how countries are doing.
- Macroeconomic Policy: This looks at big picture economic plans for countries and the whole region.
- Social Development Policy: This focuses on improving people's lives, like education and health.
- Innovation and Technology: This helps countries use new ideas and technology to grow.
- Regional Integration and Trade: This encourages countries to work together and trade more easily.
- Capacity Development: This helps people and organizations in Africa get the skills they need.
Where UNECA Works
The main office for UNECA is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This building is called Africa Hall and it opened in 1961. But UNECA also has smaller offices in different parts of Africa to help specific regions.
Regional Offices
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Main Headquarters)
- Yaoundé, Cameroon (For Central Africa)
- Kigali, Rwanda (For East Africa)
- Rabat, Morocco (For North Africa)
- Lusaka, Zambia (For Southern Africa)
- Niamey, Niger (For West Africa)
Countries Working with UNECA
The ECA has 54 member states. These are the countries that work together as part of the commission. They are all located in Africa or are islands close to the continent.
Algeria
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cape Verde
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Congo
DR Congo
Djibouti
Egypt
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Equatorial Guinea
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Ivory Coast
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mozambique
Morocco
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
São Tomé and Príncipe
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Leaders of UNECA
The person in charge of UNECA is called the Executive Secretary. Here is a list of the people who have held this important job since the ECA started.
Name | Country | Years |
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Claver Gatete | ![]() |
2023 - Present |
Vera Songwe | ![]() |
2017 - 2023 |
Carlos Lopes | ![]() |
2012 - 2016 |
Abdoulie Janneh | ![]() |
2005 - 2012 |
K. Y. Amoako | ![]() |
1995 - 2005 |
Layashi Yaker | ![]() |
1992 - 1995 |
Issa Diallo | ![]() |
1991 - 1992 |
Adebayo Adedeji | ![]() |
1975 - 1991 |
Robert K. A. Gardiner | ![]() |
1961 - 1975 |
Mekki Abbas | ![]() |
1959 - 1961 |
See also
In Spanish: Comisión Económica para África para niños
- United Nations System
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia