ECA, IGAD Join Forces to Promote Sustainable Tourism in Eastern Africa

ADDIS ABABA – Member states of the East African economic bloc IGAD embarked on developing a sustainable regional tourism master plan.

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) jointly organized the first meeting on the plan in Mombasa, Kenya from 24 to 27 October 2023.

The main objective of the meeting that brought together senior officials of the IGAD states in charge of the sector was to develop a regional framework for sustainable tourism development.

Tourism is one of the five services priority sectors under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and accounts for an average of 8.7% of GDP in the Eastern Africa region.

ECA in Eastern Africa Office Director Mama Keita praised the constructive work done by tourism experts from the IGAD member states.

The Director said that the road map agreed upon will guide the preparation and validation of the Sustainable Tourism Master Plan for the region.

The plan will contribute to socio-economic development, poverty reduction, and regional integration among the IGAD member states, per the ECA.

The IGAD member states are Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.