The IGAD region has tremendous untapped potential, including abundant agricultural and livestock
resources, considerable mineral, hydrocarbon and water resources, unique tourism assets, and a long
coastline lying along the busiest shipping lanes in the world. While there are variations between
countries, the region on the whole has lower per capita incomes, higher poverty levels, and lower access to basic social and infrastructure services than most other regions. The region’s economies are also characterized by dependence on primary production, undiversified exports, and low levels of
industrialization and technological absorption. The region lags behind most Regional Economic
Communities (RECs) in Africa and the rest of the world in all measurers of development. The challenge for the IGAD states is to address the obstacles and constraints which stand in the way to realizing their potential, and use their considerable endowments to propel the region forward, to meet the aspirations of its peoples. Good policies, enhanced human capital and seizing opportunities
in the global economy, where knowledge, innovation and technology can be accessed and utilized, and
borrowing successful experiences and best practices from others, can help the IGAD region to become economically competitive and use its considerable potential for improvements in the welfare of its people and to contribute to the wider world.
