The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa ( The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA; abbreviated as UNECA or ECA; abbreviated as ECA) is a branch of the United Nations, established in 1958, under the United Nations Economic and Social Council, headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the main purpose of promoting economic cooperation and exchange among countries in Africa. The main purpose is to promote economic cooperation and exchange between countries in Africa.