The Economic Commission for Africa was set up by the_________

Analyze the question: The question asks which body established the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

Explain the concept: The ECA is one of five regional commissions of the United Nations. It was set up by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1958, with headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Its job is to promote the economic and social development of African countries and encourage regional integration.

Solution, checking each option:

• A. UNO (United Nations Organisation): Correct. ECOSOC, an organ of the UN, created the ECA in 1958.
• B. ECOWAS: Wrong. ECOWAS was founded in 1975 (Treaty of Lagos) and covers only West Africa. It could not have created a continent-wide commission set up in 1958.
• C. OAU: Wrong. The Organisation of African Unity was formed in 1963, five years after the ECA already existed.
• D. IMF: Wrong. The International Monetary Fund deals with global monetary stability and balance-of-payments support. It does not create regional commissions.

Answer: The ECA was set up by the UNO, which is option A.

Tip: Remember that the ECA is a UN regional commission. The date also helps: ECA (1958) came before OAU (1963) and ECOWAS (1975). When a question asks who "set up" an organisation, check the dates, because an organisation cannot be created by a body that did not yet exist.