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Agenda for the 3rd Africa Job Creation Forum

Theme: “Advancing Job Creation and Economic Resilience through Regional Integration, Digital and Financial Inclusion along Agricultural Value Chains in the AfCFTA Market”

Date: 7–9 July 2025

Venue: Adwa Victory Conference Centre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Day 1: Monday, 7 July 2025

Time

Sessions

08:00AM – 09:00AM

Arrival and Registration

09:00AM – 09:30 AM

High-Level Opening Ceremony & Official Commemoration of Africa Integration Day – Pan African Hall

Programme Director: Mr Shimeles Lemma (MC)

Stage Show: 5 mins Video and Cercus Ethiopia–African color / cultural band

  • Welcome Remarks from H.E. Muferihat Kamil, Minister of Labor and Skills, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
  • Remarks from the Ae-Trade Group by Mr. Mulualem Syoum
  • Statement by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, AUC, Chairperson
  • Opening Statement by the Guest of Honor

09:30 AM– 11:00AM

Plenary Panel I: Catalyzing Digital and Financial Inclusion in
Agricultural Value Chains (ARBE/AeTrade Group) – Pan African Hall 

Key Note Address: H.E. Moses Vilakati, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development 

Moderator: Mr. Chiluba Mwape , Senior Advisor SPS , African Union Commission 

Panelists:

  • H.E. Dr. Sofia Kassa, State Minister, Ministry of Agriculture,Ethiopia
  • Ms. Maureen Sumbwe, Chairperson, COMESA Federation of Women in Business
  • Mr. Nicholas Mudungwe, Executive Director, African Leather and Leather Products Institute, COMESA

11:00AM – 11:30AM

Media Briefing by Co-organisers

  • AUC
  • MoLS
  • AeTrade Group (AeTrade Board Members)

Coordinated by MC and MoLS PR team, Place to be decided

Coffee Break and Networking

11:30AM – 01:00PM

Plenary Panel II : The Africa Strategic Investment Alliance  High Level Dialogue – (AeTrade Group) Pan African Hall

Keynote Address: Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, former Deputy Chairperson, AUC, ASIA Advisory Board Member

Moderator: Mr Mulualem Syoum, Chief Executive Officer, AeTrade Group

  • Welcoming Remarks: Ambassador Professor Charles Murigande, Vice Chairman, AeTrade Group Board
  • Remarks by Dr. Yihenew Zewdie, AGRA’s Representative to Ethiopia and the African Union
  • Remarks by the Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines

Video recording of H.E. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General (unveiling of the Africa Strategic Investment Alliance in New York, September 2023)

Panelists:

  • Dr. Eskinder Asfaw, Vice President of Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
  • Mr. Temesgen Busha, CEO Awash Bank , Ethiopia
  • Mr. Marc Gauthier, Treasurer Concordia University, Montreal,
    Canada, ASIA Advisory Board Member
  • Representative of the African Development Bank
  • Dr. Tsotetsi Makong, representative of the Secretary General, AfCFTA Secretariat
  • Mr. Sal Mariani, ASIA Advisory Board Member

Discussions from the floor

Concluding Remarks: & H.E. Moses Vilakati, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Rural Economy and Sustainable Development

1:00PM – 2:30PM

Lunch Break & Tour of Exhibition

2:30 – 4:00PM

Ministerial/Plenary High Level Panel III: On Africa Integration Day

Theme: “Consolidating AfCFTA implementation, Accelerating the Ratification of the Free Movement of Persons Protocol, and Establishing African Union Financial Institutions in Response to Global Dynamics” (ETTIM/AUC)Pan African Hall

Master of Ceremony: Shimeles Lemma (MC)

Plenary Panel I:

Session Title: Global Dynamics and Strengthening African Resilience

Keynote Presentation: Dr. Patrick Ndzana Olomo Economic Development Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals, AUC

Moderator: Dr. Brian Murerwervi, Senior Trade Advisor, AUC

  • H.E. Mohamed Mouloud Mohamed- Fadel, Minister of Economic Planning and Finance, Sahrawi Democratic Republic
  • Dr. Stephen Karingi, Director, Macroeconomics, Finance and Governance, UNECA
  • Mr. Komi Tsouwou, , UNDP Regional Service Centre in Addis Ababa
  • Dr Patrick Ndzana Olomo , Acting Director Economic
    Development, Integration and

Q&A by Participants

4:00PM – 5:30PM

Plenary Panel: Regional Integration as a Catalyst for Business and Investment in Africa – (AeTrade) Pan African Hall

Key Note Address: Ambassador Zerihun Abebe, Director General for African Countries affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Moderator: Ms Treasure Maphanga, former Director, Trade and Industry, AUC and Chief Operating Officer, AeTrade Group

Panelists:

  • Dr. Abdi Zenebe, Deputy Director General Institute of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia
  • Ms Paulina Elago, former SACU Executive Secretary, AeTrade Group Board Member,
  • Dr. Eyob Tekalign, State Minister, Ministry of Finance, Ethiopia
  • Mr. Boiki Tema, Chairman of the Agriculture Sector Business Botswana, Chairman of Access Bank Botswana
  • Mr. Charles Kahuthu, CEO, East African Chamber of
    Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
  • Eng. Ahmed Mansur, Interim President of the Pan African Manufacturing Association

4:00PM – 5:30PM

Parallel Session I: Synergies and Strategies for Action towards  deepening   Integration (ETTIM) – Hidase Hall

Key Note Presentation: Dr. Stephen Karingi, Director,
Macroeconomics, Finance and Governance, UNECA

Moderator: Dr. Kenenisa Lemi, Secretary General, Ethiopian
Chambers of Commerce & Sectoral Associations

Panelists :

  • Dr. Jean Denis Gabikini, Head of Integration and Trade Division, AUC
  • Dr. Zerubbabel Getachew, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Ambassador Salvator Matata, COMESA Representative to the AU
  • HE. Jean-Jacques Demafouth, ECCAS Representative to the AU
  • M. Billy Ahmadou, CENSAD Representative to the AU
  • Ms Valentine Abegnonhou Atonde, ECOWAS Representative to
    the AU
  • Amb. Maureen Adhiambo Achieng, IGAD Representative to the AU
  • Ms Ethel Sirengo, EAC Representative to the AU
    Amb. Amina Selman, UMA Representative to the AUC

Discussion

Concluding Remarks – AUC, UNECA, RECs Representative

5:30PM – 7:00PM

Cultural & Business Showcase (Ethiopia) – AeTrade Group Pan Africa Hall

Programme Director: Shimeles Lemma ( MC)

Fireside Chat 2: Ms. Menna Tafesse, Chief Impact Officer, Gebeya Inc. Showcases by Job Creation Champions (SMEs, Farmers, Institutions, Development Partners, Development Finance Institutions, AU Agencies)

Panel of Esteemed Judges: (to be confirmed)

  • Gebeya Impact Stories –5 companies in Ethiopia
  • Youth in Agrifood Systems Success Stories –AGRA
  • Creative economy success story – Semhal Guesh, Founder and CEO of Kabana Leather (AfCFTA)
  • Exhibitors organized by the Ministry of Labor and Skills,
    Ethiopia

7:00 PM-

Dinner hosted by the Government of Ethiopia

Day 2: Tuesday, 8 July 2025

Time

Session & Exhibition (Ethiopia)

09:00AM – 10:30 AM

Plenary Session IV: The Transformation of Labour Markets in Africa: Pan African Hall 

Key Note Presentation: H.E. Solomon Soka, State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Skills, Ethiopia;

Moderator: Nebil Kellow, Founder and Managing partner of First Consult

Case Study: Ato Birhanu Ailka, Manager, Ethiopian Labor Market Information System from MoLS

Panelists:-

  • H.E. Mr. Tiny Ramos, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Sao Tome and Principe
  • Dr. Sabelo Mbokazi, Head, Labour, Employment and
    Immigration, AUC
  • Honourable General James Hoth Mai, Minister of Labour of the Republic of South Sudan.Professor Baylie Damte, Vice Chancellor, Kepler College AUC Representative
  • Prof, Eshetu Girum, Addis Ababa University
  • Prof, Eshetu Girum, Addis Ababa University
  • Dr Gashaw Haile, Vice President, Ethiopian Aviation Academy University

09:00 AM– 10:30 AM

Parallel Session V: Africa Jobs Scenarios: Reimagining Work for Africa’s

Next Generation (ETTIM/AUC/AeTrade): Adwa Hall)

Moderator: Mr. Youhanes Magok, Mineral Resources Development Expert, AUC

Panel:

  • Mr. Nahom Teklewold, National Project Coordinator, International Labour Organization,
  • Mr. Peter Wilson, Co-Founder & CEO, African Leadership Institute (online)
  • Ms. Bulelwa Nkosi, SME Expert, African Union Commission
  • Mr. Regis Tade, Innovation Expert, African Union Commission
  • Elias Tesfaye, Deputy Programmes Director, Gebeya Inc.:
  • Frehiwot Bekele, Merq-Dagu.
  • Mr. Richard Niwenshuti, Project Manager, AeTrade Group

Q&A

09:00AM – 10:30AM

Parallel Session A:  Transforming Agrifood Systems into Engines of Job Creation: Advancing the CAADP Youth Commitments and the African Agribusiness Youth Strategy (AAYS) Hidasse Hall 

Opening remarks: H.E. Moses Vilakati Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development

Keynote Address: Dr. Yihenew Zewdie, AGRA’s Representative to Ethiopia and the African Union

Moderator: Dr Clement Adjorlolo, Principal Programme Officer, Agriculture and Rural Transformation at AUDA-NEPAD 

Panelists:

  • Ms. Nana Yaa Boakyewaa Amoah | Director – Gender, Youth and Inclusiveness, AGRA
  • Dr. Firew Tegegne, Deputy CEO, Agriculture Transformation Institute (ATI)
  • Ms. Ingrid Eepezagne, African Agribusiness Incubator Network AAIN, Director for West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire
  • Anselme Vodounhessi (FARA), Coordinator Common African Agro-food Park (CAAP), FARA
  • Mr.Matthias Reusing , First Counsellor – Policy Advisor, EU Delegation to the AU and UNECA, Team Europe Initiative

10:30AM – 12:00AM

Plenary Session VI: Skills Development to Catalyze Infrastructure Investment in Africa –Pan African Hall
Key Note Address: H.E. Muferihat Kamil, Minister, Ministry of Labor and Skills, Ethiopia

Moderator: Dr. Teshale Berecha, State Minister, Ministry of Labor and Skills, Ethiopia

Panelists:

  • Mr. Boru Shana, Entrepreneurship Development Institute,
    Ministry of Labor and Skills
  • Mr. Nicholas Ouma – Senior Youth Advisor – ESTI, African Union Commission
  • Ms Sandra Nichol, CEO, Canadian Association of Architects , Montreal
  • Dange Boru Kosi, State Minister of Transport and Logistics, Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Ethiopia
  • Mr. Gianluca Azzoni, Head of Policy and Cooperation, EU Delegation to the AU, Team Europe Initiative
  • Mr. Habte Beyene, Toppan Security Ethiopia Representative

10:30AM – 12:00AM

Parallel Session D: Cross-Border Trade Facilitation (ETTIM/AeTrade) Hidase Hall

Key note speaker: H.E. Yasmin Wehaberebi, State Minister, MoTRI

Moderator: Treasure Maphanga. Chief Operating Officer, AeTrade Group

  • Mr. Azizew Chanie, Customs Commission, Ethiopian
  • Mr. Chakakula Miti, CEO, COMESA Federation of Women in Business, Malawi
  • H.E. Baboucarr O. Joof, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment of the Republic of The Gambia
  • Hagere Eilin, Director Sales, Africa, Ultra Information Solutions

12:00AM – 1:30PM

Lunch and Exhibition Tour

1:30PM – 3:00PM

Parallel SessionA: Digital Finance for Rural SMEs (AeTrade)
– Hidase Hall – (280pax)

Moderator: Semerita Sewasew, State Minister, Ministry of Finance, Ethiopia 

  • Leandre Bassole, Africa Development Bank, Director General, East Africa/ Country Manager, Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
  • Dr. Emebet Melese, President, Development Bank of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
  • Ms. Melika Bedri, CEO, Zamzam Bank
  • Sal Mariani, AeTrade Group Board Member
  • Ms. Maureen Sumbwe, Chairperson, COMESA Federation of Women in Business

1:30PM – 3:00PM

Parallel Session B: Building Digital Public Infrastructure for Jobs, Inclusion, and Regional Trade under AfCFTA (AeTrade/AfCFTA) Adwa Hall

KeyNote Address: Dr.Bayisa Bedada, State Minister/ Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Ethiopia

Moderator: Mr. Mulualem Syoum, Chief Executive Officer, AeTrade Group

Panelists:

  • Dr. Talkmore Chidede, AfCFTA Specialist on Digital Trade, Ghana
  • Mr. Richard Gariepy, Chief Technology Officer, AeTrade Group
  • Mr. Melaku Beshah , President, Business Processing Outsourcing Association (BPOA)

Q&A

3:00 PM– 6:30PM

Tea/Coffee Break and Tour of the City

7:00PM-

 Free Evening

Day 3: Wednesday, 9 July 2025

Time

Session & Exhibition

09:00AM – 10:30AM

Plenary Policy Dialogue: Aligning the CAADP Kampala Declaration and AfCFTA for Jobs (ARBE/AUDA NEPAD) Pan African Hall

Key Note Address: Dr. Girma Amente, Minister of Agriculture, Ethiopia

Moderator: Dr Clement Ardjololo

  • Dr. Mandefero Negussie, CEO, Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (EAT)

H.E. Tseliso Mokgosi, Minister of Labour and Skills, Kingdom of LesothoH.E. Ephraim Akuakua, Minister, Democratic Republic of Congo H.E. Youssouf Mohammed Adan, Minister, Somalia Two young agripreneurs from AGRA partnership

Rallel Panel : Monitoring and Reporting Frameworks for Job Creation (ARBE/AeTrade) –Hidasse Hall AUC/AeTrade Group 

Key Note Presentation: Mr. Sabelo Mbokazi, Head of Labour, Employment and Skills Development at AUC

Moderator: Ms. Josephine Etima, Senior Monitor and Evaluation Officer, African Union Commission

Presentation: David Adama, Senior Specialist; Continental & Regional Engagements| AGRA, Youth Agrifood Performance Index (YAPI)

Presentation: Mr. Birhanu Ailka, Manager, LMIS (Geoportal )

Panelists

  • Mr. Seong Kim, Chief Innovation Officer, Ae-Trade Group
  • Mr. Birhanu Ailka, Manager, LMIS (Geoportal )
  • ILO/World Bank
  • Mr. Sabelo Mbokazi, Head of Labour, Employment and Skills Development at AUC

10:30AM – 12:30AM

Awards Ceremony: Job Creation Forum Champions, Pan African Hall –(1500pax)

12:30AM – 13:00PM

Closing Session: (1500 pax)

  • Summary of Outcomes
  • Declaration of Commitments
  • Closing Remarks by Co-Conveners:

Mr. Mulualem Syoum, Chief Executive Officer of AeTrade Group

H.E. Moses Vilakati, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the closing ceremony.

Closing Remark by the Guest of Honor

13:15PM – 14:30PM

Lunch and Networking followed by B2B and B2G Meetings