The African Union ‘Agenda 2063’ is a vision to build a prosperous Africa in 50 years. The vision for the agenda was birth during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the creation of the OAU / AU in May 2013. The African Heads of State and Government signed the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration. The Solemn Declaration depicted the desire of accomplishing the Pan-African vision of “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena”. It is a transforming plan for Africa to become a peaceful integrated and prosperous continent by the first half of the 21st Century.[i] Agenda 2063 shows how Africa intends to achieve this vision from the year 2013 to 2063. It does not only consist of hope for the future of Africa, but it also pinpoints programs that can improve the economic development of Africa. In the realization of these goals, Africa launched a first ten-year implementation phase. This implementation plan aims to bring about transformation in the political, economic, and social and technological spheres of the continent. It also aims to further the interest of Pan-African drive for freedom, progress and self-determination.[ii]
Furthermore, these goals have been supported and accelerated by other programs coordinated by the union in order to improve the growth and sustainable development, like the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the Minimum Integration Programme, PIDA, Lagos Plan of Action, CAADP, The Abuja Treaty, etcetera.[iii] These goals are a shift in focus from struggling with external continental adversaries like apartheid and colonial system to an intracontinental development. These SDGs are twenty in number. They include:[iv]
- A high standard of living and general wellbeing for all citizens.
- Well educated citizens and skill revolution underpinned by science, technology and innovation.
- Healthy and well-nourished citizens.
- Transformed economies.
- Modern agriculture for increased productivity and production.
- Blue/ocean economy for accelerated economic growth.
- Environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient economies and communities.
- A united Africa (Federal or Confederal).
- A continental and functional financial and monetary institution established.
- World-class infrastructure crisscrossing Africa.
- Democratic values, practices, universal principles of human rights, justice and the rule of the law entrenched.
- Capable instructions and transformation leadership in place.
- Peace, security and stability are preserved.
- A stable and peaceful Africa.
- A fully functional and operational African Peace and Security Architecture(APSA).
- The pre-eminence of African cultural renaissance.
- Full gender equality in all spheres of life.
- Engaged and empowered youth and children.
- Africa as a major partner in global affairs.
- Full responsibility for financing her development goals.
The entire continent has begun to take steps in the realisation of these goals. A renowned stride is the signing of the African Free Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA) by 54 countries out of 55.[v] This free trade area led to an increase in the patronisation of African economies by Africans by slashing out 90% of tariffs in intra-African trade and thus boosting intra-continental trade by 52.3% by 2022.[vi] As at 29th April 2019, upon the receipt of the 22nd instrument of ratification, the course was set for the implementation phase. There has also been a take-off of the African Economic Platform in Mauritius which was set up majorly to tackle issues affecting Africa’s economies with the aim of pinpointing transformational opportunities for its member states.[vii]
Furthermore, the establishment of the great Museum of… Click this link to continue reading in our October 2020 Africa Edition
[i]Mo Ibrahim Foundation, ‘ Agenda 2063 & 2030: Is Africa On Track?’ p1
[ii]African Union, 2020, Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, Available at [<https://au.int/agenda2063/overview>] Accessed 24 September 2020
[iii]Tralac, 2020, African Agenda 2063, Available at: [<https://www.tralac.org/resources/our-resources/14352-african-union-agenda-2063.html>] Accessed 24 September 2020
[iv]Mo Ibrahim Foundation
[v]Tralac, ‘African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Legal Texts and Policy Documents’ [online] Available at [<https://www.tralac.org/resources/by-region/cfta.html >] Accessed 18 September, 2020.
[vi]Infomineo ‘The Africa Continental Free Trade Area: Benefits, Costs, and Implications’ [online] Available at [<https://infomineo.com/africa-continental-free-trade-area/>]Accessed 18 September, 2020.
[vii]African Union, ‘Progress Report on the Implementation of Agenda 2063 First Ten-Year Implementation Plan’ (2017) pp 4,11-27
