2022 Virtual International Conference: Midlands State University (MSU) Faculty of Arts, Development Studies Department, Development Cooperation Aid and Transformation Project, African Continental Free Trade Area Studies Centre in partnership with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) -Zimbabwe; Toxiconsol Pvt Ltd (t/a African Sustainability Consultants); Great Zimbabwe University; Galelio Holdings; ZIMRUSS Consultancy; University of Zimbabwe-CASS; and Zimbabwe Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Directorate, hosts the second series 2022 MSU African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) International Online Conference on Climate Change (CC)- Value Chains-Addition (VCA) driven industrialization and prospects of deepening socioeconomic integration and cooperation for transformation of marginalized rural-urban and resettled communities in Southern and Sub Saharan Africa within COVID-Omicron/SADC 2030/Agenda Africa 2063/ UNSDGs 2030 and Digital Revolution Phase to be held 26-28 October 2022. (2022 MSU AfCFTA – CC VCA Online International Conference)
2022 MSU AfCFTA CONCEPT NOTE
Synonymous with transformative initiatives and efforts being made across continents and regions of the globe since end of the 1945 World War II by progressive communities, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) constitutes one of the logical outcomes of the 1991 Treaty of Abuja, Nigeria adopted then by Member States of the Organization for African Unity (OAU). The AfCFTA further signifies deepening of the generation changing agreement on a strategic road map for the creation of a common African market and an industrialized African Economy which should project Africa as a significant player and partner in the fast advancing digital global economy. Now enmeshed in the COVID-19 pandemic hazards, notably the Omicron variant, the AfCFTA has since been a flagship program of the AU and AfCFTA negotiations launched in June 2015. Notwithstanding the AU flagship program status of the AfCFTA, several development paradoxes characterize its existence, namely the combined socioeconomic impact of Omicron variant COVID -19 virus and Climate Change on one hand and the auspicious conditions it creates on the other hand for industrialization, development of value chains and value addition enterprises in marginalized rural-urban and resettled communities across geographical regions of Southern and the Sub Saharan Africa in a digitally advancing global village. Notwithstanding the impact of COVID 19 Omicron variant on prospects of AfCFTA operations, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with an ultimate objective to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations, at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human induced) interference with the climate system, has a great potential to inform the AfCFTA industrialization programs especially the envisaged cross sector Micro-Small – Medium and in part Large scale value chains and value addition enterprises, in rural-urban and resettled marginalized communities. Resonating the UNFCCC and equally favorable for AfCFTA industrialization is the Africa Agenda 2063 aspirations on establishment of a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development; as well as an Africa which is strong, united and influential global player and partner. Notwithstanding the Omicron variant pandemic impact on AfCFTA driven socioeconomic transformation, equally growth resonating are United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 1; 9; 10; 13 and 16 advocating namely: Goal 1. Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere; Goal 9. Building resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; Goal 10. Reduction of inequality within and among countries; Goal 13. Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; and finally Goal 16. Promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provision of access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Complemented not only by generally broad National Development Frameworks/ Strategic Development Plan but by more concrete universally acceptable Integral National Socioeconomic Cultural Development Plans with territorial, budgetary and sectoral underpinnings that give in to accountability, monitoring and evaluation; the AfCFTA driven industrialization and value chains and addition have a greater chance of flourishing and transforming the livelihoods of many marginalized through poverty reduction; improving health standards; elimination of hunger. Serving as a great pointer to the success of the AfCFTA cross-sector value chains and value addition enterprises driven industrialization is the already existing potential defined in the 2020 African Development Bank Annual Report noted that the institution had maintained a triple-A rating with a stable outlook from all four major global rating agencies Bank Group approvals, by High 5 Bank Group approvals, by region FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS respectively scoring 3% Feed Africa; 11% Light Up and Power Africa; 5% Industrialize Africa; 4% Integrate Africa; 77% Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa; and 11% Multiregional; 11% Central Africa; 22% East Africa; 21% West Africa; 16% North Africa and 19% Southern Africa. Effectively the High 5 and regional financial ratings exist as a platform that gives greater momentum to the AfCFTA cross sector value chains and value addition, industrialization programs for rural –urban and resettled communities in Zimbabwe, Southern and the Sub Saharan Africa in a fast advancing digital world. In its own way a very momentous flagship project, out of 55 Member States of the AU, 44 signed the Agreement in March 2018 at the AU Extraordinary Summit in Kigali, Rwanda. Phase I of negotiations covered trade in goods, trade in services and dispute settlement. Phase II is to cover investment, competition policy and intellectual property rights. The AU Commission (AUC), specifically AUC´s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is in charge of coordinating in BIAT and AfCFTA related activities. The agreement initially requires members to remove tariffs from 90% of goods, allowing free access to commodities, goods, and services across the continent. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa estimates that the agreement will boost intra-African trade by 52 percent by 2022.
Notwithstanding the development disparities between Africa [North; South; Central; East and West] and World; More Developed and Less Developed Regions, effectively the combined impact of Climate Change and COVID 19 Omicron variant on AfCFTA threatens to widen the wealth distribution gap on one hand while on the other hand in the reverse scenario, weakening of the pandemic, the AfCFTA cross sector value chains and addition enterprises driven industrialization will narrow the socioeconomic development disparities, thus improving the disposition of the currently marginalized rural –urban and resettled communities. If in 2015 the average global GNI per capita was 15030 US$ and in 2020 marginally expanded to 16885 US$; for More Developed Regions in 2015 GNI per capita was 39020 US$ and in 2020 immensely expanded to 46188 US$ per capita; Less Developed Regions GNI per capita was 9870US$ but in 2020 increased to 10815 US$ per capita still all maintaining a huge socioeconomic elevation over Africa by an average [16885+46188+10814 / 3 (24629)]-4820 US$ = 19809 US$ GNI per capita. With all AfCFTA driven industrialization being favorable these 19809 US$ per capita should close or at least narrow. Again in 2015 Africa GNI per capita was low at 4720 US$ while in 2020 it narrowly expanded to 4820 US$ per capita; for sub Saharan Africa it respectively was 3480 US$ per capita and 3667 US$ respectively. For the North Africa Region the 2015 GNI per capita was 9740 US$ while in 2020 it was 9741 US$ having just marginally expanded; for the Southern Africa Region in 2015 the GNI ppp was 12290 US$ while in 2020 it declined to 12760 US$; for Eastern Africa region respectively was 1930 US$ and 2457 US$; while for Western Africa region it respectively was 4040 US$ and 3972 US$; and last but not least for Central Africa region the 2015 GNI ppp was 2680 US$ and in 2020 it had increased to 2866 US$ per capita, but even remaining insignificantly low. What then is the interpretation of the AfCFTA – Climate Change- Omicron- Value Chain function? Effectively in a short-medium and long term, and absence /effective management of Climate Change Programs and Omicron virus the implementation of the AfCFTA cross sector value chains-addition driven industrialization program should see the socioeconomic or income gaps within Africa closing up beyond the current Africa average (4820 US$ GNI ppp) and have a stronger tendency to move towards the global average of 16885 US$ GNI ppp and even surpass the average 19809 US$ GNI per capita. This literally means a more equitable distribution of wealth, elimination of poverty; consolidation of an African Common Market and an Industrialized Diverse African Economy with Africa rising as a significant player in the continental and global economy. The aim of the conference is to sensitize and deepen an understanding of the AfCFTA transformative role on the strength of cross sector value chains and value addition driven industrialization programs in circumstances of Omicron pandemic and climate change challenges in a fast advancing digital world. Some of the objectives involve eliminating socioeconomic development disparities within Africa and between Africa and the world; deepening integration; promoting climate compliant investment and trade; promoting diversity and inclusivity in resolving pandemic notably COVID for purposes of bringing more value into AfCFTA project as a vehicle for transformation; transformation of marginalized rural and urban resettled communities; promoting value chain and value addition driven industrialization, partnership and cooperation in development. Fundamental questions that emerge before delegates pertain to AfCFTA viability as a vehicle for transformation; AfCFTA capacity to withstand impact of COVID epidemic; peace and stability for integration and socioeconomic growth; climate change compliant economic growth; rural-urban and resettled communities industrialization; partnership, diversity and inclusivity.
Investment and trade statistics show that more than 70 percent of goods and services exchanged, in circulation within the global economy originate in the value chains and value addition enterprises meaning there is greater rationale promoting AfCFTA cross sector value chains and addition enterprises driven industrialization in Southern and the Sub Saharan Africa in this digital phase.
Certainly it is in the light of the preceding debate that the 2022 MSU AfCFTA Secretariat, Faculty of Arts, Department of Development Studies, Development Cooperation, Aid and Transformation; African Continental Free Trade Area Studies Centre; in partnership with the UNDP and partners, gladly invites value adding, well-researched, constructive and informative contributions: Abstracts, Chapters from all progressive circles, namely: academia, researchers; students; government ministries and departments; local and international NGO community; local and international development players; diplomatic missions; regional and international development institutions; industry and private sector; public and interested individuals; political parties; churches, to commit to the noble conference cause. Multidisciplinary main thematic and sub thematic areas from which to compile your constructive dialogue are AfCFTA Protocols; Climate Change; Trade and Investment; Industrialization; Integration; ICT Digital technology; Nuclear and Space Technology; Health, Human factor; Agriculture, Food Security; Value Chains; Industry, Mining; Tourism; Infrastructure; Transport; Language and religion; Film and Arts; Conservancies; Natural Resources management; Peace; Education; Renewable resources; Migration; Women, Children, The Disabled; Driving factors and Alternatives.
2022 MSU African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)–Climate Change (CC) International Virtual Online Conference: Value Chains- Addition driven Industrialization and prospects of deepening socioeconomic integration and cooperation for transformation of marginalized rural-urban and resettled communities in Southern and Sub Saharan Africa within Omicron/ SADC 2030/ Agenda Africa 2063/ UNSDGs 2030 and Digital Revolution Phase to be held 26-28 October 2022. (2022 MSU AfCFTA – CC Online International Conference)
⦁ AfCFTA Adoption and Implementation Protocols
Implementation phases, meaning
Protocols formulation, guiding notions
Evaluation and assessment
Legal aspects of implementation
Institutional development local and global
Institutional complementarities local and global
Parties and Commitments.
Outstanding Issues
⦁ AfCFTA – Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Concept, Definition.
AfCFTA as a concept, process and system
What is AfCFTA, Change Vehicle, Program, Instrument
AfCFTA Definition, Transformation and Development
Mitigation strategies and success; alternatives
Adaptation strategies and success; challenges
National Determined Conditionalities (NDCs); Industrialization
AfCFTA and climate change adjusted industrialization protocols.
AfCFTA Climate Change Compliant Industrial Development Framework
Disaster, drought, floods, wildfires; desertification, hunger, starvation
AfCFTA related disaster mitigation, preparedness, response; and recovery institutions.
⦁ Industrialization and Transformation
What is AfCFTA driven industrialization
What is AfCFTA driven transformation
Rural industrialization; rural industries
Specialized Socioeconomic Regions; Economic Planning
Urban industrialization; urban industries
Resettled communities industrialization
Rural enterprises and economic sustainability
AfCFTA micro -small- medium rural and urban enterprises
AfCFTA large scale cross-sector enterprises and transformation
Partnership, partnering in industrialization and transformation
⦁ Trade and Investment
Insurance and security
Finance and intermediaries;
Loan and grant facilities
Customs and Excise Duty
Production, Distribution, Marketing and Realization
Standards and Quality Control
Small-Medium Scale Trade and Investment enterprises
Trade and Investment Priorities; Integral Planning
Rural – urban trade and investment initiatives
Banking operations for trade and investment.
Gender, Youth, Women and Disabled in trade and investment
Rural- Urban and Resettled Communities trade and investment priorities
⦁ Integration, Cooperation and Aid
Integration, Production and distribution enterprises
Small-medium scale enterprises cooperation
Integration of rural small and medium scale enterprise
Specialized National Socioeconomic Planning;
Rural- urban enterprises cooperation programs
Integration of local, regional, continental production enterprises
Partnering for deeper integration and cooperation
Rural-urban aid and cooperation programs
Aid as catalyst for deepening industrial cooperation and integration;
Banking and Financing for Deeper Integration, Cooperation and Aid.
Rural-urban communities administration, integration, cooperation and aid.
⦁ ICT, Digital Technology
ICT and business in rural and urban areas
ICT and commercial business locally and globally
ICT education and training
Digital education, training
Digital education for business
Small- Medium Large Scale digital technology driven business
Digital business models
Local and global digital production, distribution, marketing and realization
⦁ Human Factor, Human Centeredness
Human being, productive forces and industrialization;
Supremacy of the person, human being, soul and mind
Choice, Ego and development
Mutual respect, cooperation and understanding
Pensions; Medical, Insurance and Funeral Policy
Selflessness, tolerance; human sanctity, sacredness
Wealth, prosperity, poverty, hunger and disease;
Social system, dispensation and destiny of the subject
Welfare, food, clothing, peace, association; work; dignity.
Citizen, disposition, civilization; primitivity
Creativity, innovation and inventions, artistic outputs.
⦁ Health and Epidemics
COVID – 19 and Omicron and pandemics
Health service and delivery programs
Health Service Provision Strategic Framework
Health Service Barometer: National, provincial and District
Partnership and cooperation in health services delivery
Child health, disease outbreaks
Girl Child Health services
Health, Pharmaceuticals; Conditions of Service;
Medical, Health, Pensions and Insurance Policy
Work Place Health Protocols; Brain Drain
Birth and Death Rate
HIV Aids and STIs
Rural- urban and resettled communities’ health services
Health, Research; education, training and advocacy
Health challenges and Alternatives
⦁ Value Chains and Value Addition
Specialized cross sector value chains and value addition enterprises
Rural-urban and resettled communities value chain enterprises
Rural–urban and resettled communities value addition enterprises
Small- Medium Agro Industrial value chains
Small- Medium Mining Sector Value Chains
Services delivery value addition and chains
Value addition and value chains Strategic Development Frameworks
Value chains and marketing on ward, village, district, provincial, national and regional level
Value chains and addition on continental and global level.
⦁ Agriculture, Food and Nutrient Security
Food security and nutrient security strategies
Agricultural value chains and addition programs
Inclusivity and diversity in small –medium scale rural enterprises
Promoting agro-industrial complexes; ICT; Digital
Agro Banking; Finance; Insurance; Standards and Quality Control
Agro-Industrial Parks; Agro Industrial Transformation
Agro manufacturing for local and international market;
Partnering and partnerships in Agriculture and Food Security
Forestry, Timber and Fisheries small- medium enterprise
Agro based post- colonial cities, towns and settlements.
Specialized District, Provincial, National Agriculture Development Strategies / Framework
⦁ Industry, Mining and Tourism
Sustainable Industrial Provincial Development Strategy
Economy, Industrial Enterprises
Production, distribution, marketing and consumption
Rural industry and manufacturing
Small – medium scale industrial enterprises
Mining, mining economy; employment
Tourism, economy and transfrontier parks
Industry and diversification; wildlife cultivation
Forest parks and wild forest; animal species
Partnering and partnerships in industrial, mining and tourism development;
Sustainable Tourist Rural Provincial Development Strategies
Sustainable Mining Provincial Development Strategies
⦁ Manufacturing in AfCFTA Zone
Production, Distribution, Marketing and Consumption
Small- medium scale enterprises
Defining an sustainable AfCFTA Economic Zone
Economic Zones, Manufacturing
Employment Creation, Integration and Cooperation
Economic Zones Specialized Economy
Local and International Business Partnerships
Banking and Insurance, Finance
⦁ Nuclear, Digital and Space Technology
Nuclear, Digital and Space technology: peaceful development; transformation and industrialization.
Nuclear technology driven industrialization, down-stream industry and enterprises
Space Technology driven AFCFTA Industrialization; down-stream industry and enterprises
Digital Technology Driven AfCFTA Industrialization; closely related enterprises
Nuclear Technology driven transformation of rural-urban and resettled communities;
Partnered and Partnership in Nuclear, Digital and Space Technology Development
Space Missions adjusted AFCFTA specialized industrialization programs.
Nuclear, Digital and Space Technology: fast tracking socioeconomic growth
⦁ Education, Research, Advocacy, Consultancy and Training
Comparing Education 3.0; 4.0 and 5.0 Programs and AfCFTA
Pre School; Primary, Secondary and High School Digital Program for Transformation;
AfCFTA driven Education and Research Curricular;
Pensions and insurance policy; funeral policy
AfCFTA driven Advocacy, Consultancy and Training
AfCFTA education, advocacy in rural – urban and resettled communities.
Education, society, industrialization, development, diversity, digital revolution
⦁ Culture, Film, Arts and History
AfCFTA culture, economy and industrialization;
Film enterprises and transformation in AfCFTA Zone;
AfCFTA and Arts for transformation;
AfCFTA and History for economic development;
AfCFTA and transformation through culture, film, Arts and history in digital phase.
AfCFTA integration through culture, film, Arts and history;
AfCFTA cooperation through culture, film, Arts and History.
⦁ Politics, Peace and Security; Conflict
Tolerance; Unity; Justice and Peace and Industrialization
True democracy; dictatorship; Corruption
Partnered and Partnering Institutions;
Generational approach; costly stereotypes
Ideological bankruptcy; ideological progress; transformation
Anti -human and inhuman systems;
Conflict, underdevelopment; stagnation; economic expansion
Human -centered politics, peace and security.
Cooperation and integration in politics, peace and security operations.
⦁ Environmental Conservation and Natural Resources Management
AfCFTA driven afforestation; deforestation; desertification; reclamation
Forest parks, Wildlife Culture; Diversification of Wildlife
Conservancies and Trans frontier Parks
Beautification, Aesthetic Environmental Conservation and Natural Resources Management;
Beautifying the Nation, Regions and Continent; Roads, Highways, Surroundings;
Rural- Urban and Resettled Communities Wildlife and Forestry Parks;
Natural resources conservation, reservation; aesthetic culture
Natural resources management and AfCFTA driven industrialization
AfCFTA based Partnering and partnership in conservation and natural resources management.
Special Environmental and Natural Resources Conservation Zones in AfCFTA Zone;
⦁ Language and Religion
AfCFTA languages and business for transformation;
AfCFTA and religion for peace and development;
Religious Tolerance; Unity; peace and economy;
Language, understanding, cooperation
Language, religion and development.
Religion, peace, conflict and stability
Language peace, conflict, stability.
⦁ Infrastructure, Transport and Energy
Rail, road and aviation transport inter /intra member states
Social infrastructure, Economic infrastructure
Industrial infrastructure; Insurance; Hydro and Thermal Energy;
Road and rail transport: passenger and goods; services
New Generation Fast Rail passenger transport; economic growth
Rural – urban infrastructure, transport and energy development;
Cooperation in infrastructure, transport and energy development
Integration and cooperation through infrastructure, transport and energy development;
Evolving Energy Structure: Renewable versus nonrenewable sources;
Partnership in infrastructure, transport and energy development.
⦁ Renewable Energy and Transformation
AfCFTA renewable energy driven industrialization;
Solar; Wind; Hydro Power AfCFTA driven industrialization;
Hydrogen fuel cell energy, rural development;
Renewable energy and rural transformation
Small medium scale enterprises in rural – urban areas
⦁ Migration, Gender, Youth, Women, Disabled and Children
AfCFTA and migration reversal,
Women and children within the AfCFTA realization
Gender and AfCFTA deepening industrialization;
Youth and deepening economic growth within AfCFTA;
AfCFTA and positive migration from world regions;
Children and migration, refugees flow and development;
AfCFTA driven cross sector industrialization and the disabled
AfCFTA and positive intra Africa migration, labour force.
⦁ AfCFTA Driving Principles and Factors
Socioeconomic factors and AfCFTA
Political, peace and security factors
Scientific and technological principles
Digital technology and infrastructure;
Renewable energy; stability
Diversity and inclusivity; comprehensive partnerships
Targeted rural-urban cross sector industrial partnership
⦁ AfCFTA Challenges and Alternatives
Diplomatic deficit
Peace and security; rural economic activation
Demagoguery culture
Population age group balance: economic active and economic inactive ages (<15 and 65+yrs)
Alienation risks in international affairs
Movement in step with global village
Constructive diplomatic engagement
Common human values
Wisdom and limitless transformation
PARTICIPATION: PAPER CONTRIBUTION
Your session login code –key will be communicated in the Final AfCFTA Conference Program. Conference attendance is Free. You may Donate, Promote; Fund Session/s; Chair and Co- Chair Session; Fund Book Publication; or Co – Host with Conference Organizers.
Paper structure strictly: Please adhere to the following format when developing your paper: Abstract (250 words)…5-6 keywords; Introduction; Methodology; Literature Review; Outcome; Discussion; Conclusion and recommendations; References. Paper to have a maximum of 5600 words. Font: 1.5 …12” New Roman Times.
Please: Remember Conference Code in all Communication: MSU 2022 AfCFTA – Abstract or Paper: Your Name.
⦁ Conference dates: 26-28 October 2022
⦁ Abstract Submission deadline: 28 April 2022
⦁ Abstract Acceptance Advise deadline: 20 May 2022
⦁ Complete Conference Paper Submission deadline: 29 August 2022
⦁ AfCFTA – Conference Program Receipt Date: 27 September 2022.
The anticipated MSU 2022 AfCFTA Conference outputs are a Conference Proceedings Summary, Special Conference DVD and a 2022 Special Edited Book entitled “ AfCFTA: Value Chains and Addition; and Climate Change Compliant driven Industrialization for Rural- Urban and Resettled Communities Transformation in Southern and Sub Saharan Africa in a digital revolution”.
Conference Secretariat:
Midlands State University. Faculty of Art, Department of Development Studies. [MSU-FA-DDS]. Development Cooperation, Aid and Transformation Project, African Continental Free Trade Area Studies Centre.
Webpage Link: [To be Given]
Kindly send your abstracts and mail to:
chikoworeg@staff.msu.ac.zw [Dr G Chikowore: 263773378014: Conference Coordinator].
chibandat@staff.msu.ac.zw [Dr T Chibanda: 0775399416: Conference Administrator].
sillahr@staff.msu.ac.zw [Dr Sillah R: 263772855365: Conference Secretary].
munemod@staff.msu.co.zw [Dr Munemo D: 263773269411: Moderator]
Session Chairs:
Prof Viriri; Dr Mashingaidze; Mr Tafadzwa Dhlakama; Dr Mudeka; Prof Manyawu; Mr C Munhande; Ms Nandi Nkomo; Prof Nyau; Dr M Sibanda; Prof Mukamuri; Prof Matunhu; Mr Hahlani; Dr Nxiza; Dr Nyathi; Dr T Muzorewa; Mr Sisimayi; Dr T Mukhuhlani; Mrs Chihamba, Mr Mandirahwe.
Remember to make a meaningful difference. Be part of the 2022 MSU Second Series Memorable and Great Virtual Conference in the History of a Transforming Africa and African led World Remould in Diversity, Peace and Inclusivity.
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