International relations

Agenda 2063 – Building the Africa we want

The African Union’s Agenda 2063 is the continent’s masterplan for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse. In the actions they take, government leaders should draw on Agenda 2063’s goals of prosperity, unity, peace and growth for all of Africa.

In 2013, African heads of state gathered to celebrate the 50year anniversary of the African Union – founded as the Organisation of African Unity in 1963.

To mark the occasion, the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration was signed, outlining a new collective dedication towards achieving an “integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena”.

Along with the declaration came Agenda 2063, which outlines the goals and priorities that will lead the continent to this vision in the 50 years between 2013 and 2063.

The seven aspirations of Agenda 2063

Agenda 2063 outlines seven aspirations for the continent, further broken down into 20 goals, each with the priorities that need to be focused on to achieve these goals. The seven aspirations are:

1: A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development.

2: An integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa's Renaissance.

3: An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law.

4: A peaceful and secure Africa.

5: An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics.

6: An Africa, whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children.

7: Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global player and partner.

Email from the future

Former AU Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma was an instrumental figure in capturing the aspirations of Agenda 2063. In 2014, she presented a hypothetical 'Email from the future', in which she places herself in the year 2063.

Her inspirational email touched on how Africa had changed from a fragmented continent to one of unity.

“At the beginning of the 21st century, we used to get irritated with foreigners when they treated Africa as one country: as if we were not a continent of over a billion people and 55 sovereign states! But, the advancing global trend towards regional blocks reminded us that integration and unity is the only way for Africa to leverage its competitive advantage.”

Dlamini Zuma further spoke of how economic development had mushroomed, and how Africa had become the third largest economy in the world.

“Economic integration, coupled with infrastructure development, saw intra-Africa trade mushrooming, from less than 12 percent in 2013 to approaching 50 percent by 2045.This integration was further consolidated with the growth of commodity exchanges and continental commercial giants.

“Pan African companies now not only dominate our domestic market of over two billion people, but they have overtaken multi-nationals from the rest of the world in their own markets.”

The email also placed the other aspirations of Agenda 2063 vividly into reality. It spoke of how the ocean and green economy, skills development, robust security structures and social transformation had led to prosperity for Africa and its citizens. Dlamini Zuma's email helped government leaders to envision the high quality of life that would result if the blueprint laid out by Agenda 2063 is successfully implemented.

Implementation of flagship projects to achieve Agenda 2063

A total of 14 flagship projects have been earmarked to accelerate the path towards achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063. The projects cover areas such as accelerating economic growth and development; encouraging the celebration of history and culture; and harnessing infrastructure, education, science, technology, arts, culture and security initiatives.

The Agenda is in its first implementation phase, covering the years between 2013 and 2023. In February this year, the AU released its first report on the implementation of the priorities outlined in Agenda 2063.

The report was compiled from 31 AU Members States, covering 56 percent of the continent and six regional economic communities.

Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki,

Chief Executive Officer of the AU Development Agency, highlighted that some outstanding progress has been made in implementing Agenda 2063.

“The implementation of Agenda 2063 has gathered momentum at all levels.The continent has made some remarkable progress to

wards attaining the goals defined in Agenda 2063's First Ten-Year Implementation Plan.”

Foremost among these achievements is the progress in establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to remove the barriers to trade between African countries.

“The overall performance of African Member States on advancing the AfCFTA stands at 92 percent of the target set for 2019. To date, 54 countries have signed and 29 have ratified the AfCFTA,” the report states.

The report also identified that good progress has been made with regard to achieving a peaceful and secure Africa, with most member states reporting that functional national peace mechanisms are in place.

In line with the aspiration to achieve a people-driven Africa, a relatively strong performance has been achieved, particularly with regard to the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights of the Youth, which achieved a 77 percent score against the 2019 target.

The report recognises that a number of other areas require improvements. In particular, low scores were recorded in terms of overall quality of life for citizens, good governance, democracy, and respect for human rights.

“The continent will have to address key challenges such as data gaps; and adequate capacity, both human and financial, among others, that are slowing its path to sustainable and inclusive economic as well as social and cultural development.”

“This will require concerted and coordinated efforts at sub-national, national, regional and continental level to comprehensively address the identified challenges and harness the available opportunities.”

The AU has called on all member states and leaders in government to work harder towards achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

“The continent will have to address key challenges such as data gaps; and adequate capacity, both human and financial, among

others.”