Agenda 2063 is the African Union’s (AU) strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over a 50-year horizon, spanning from 2013 to 2063. It is rooted in the Pan-African vision of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena. Launched during the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the then Organization of African Unity, now AU, Agenda 2063 embodies Africa’s collective aspirations for the future, anchored in inclusive growth, sustainable development, unity, and self-determination. It encompasses seven key aspirations, ranging from a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development to an Africa with a strong cultural identity and common heritage.
The plan is structured around five ten-year implementation phases, with the first one concluding in 2023 and the second beginning in 2024. The transition to this second implementation phase has reignited the AU’s call for stronger regional integration, economic resilience, and effective alignment of national development strategies with continental priorities.
As the continent enters this second ten-year phase of implementing Agenda 2063, the AU is calling on its member states to prioritize development projects that promote regional and continental integration.
Speaking to local media, Botho Kebabonye, Director of Strategic Planning and Delivery at the African Union Commission, underscored the importance of aligning national development agendas with continental and global frameworks to achieve inclusive and sustainable development across Africa.
Kebabonye stressed that Africa’s development strategies are becoming increasingly synchronized with global frameworks, especially the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing Agenda 2063 as the central blueprint for the continent’s long-term transformation.
The director highlighted that one of the primary goals in this new phase is to ensure equitable income distribution across the continent. This objective reflects a broader vision to create a peaceful, united, and prosperous Africa that leaves no country or community behind. Reflecting on the achievements and lessons from the first implementation decade, Kebabonye emphasized the urgent need to fully harness Africa’s vast natural and human resources to maintain momentum in economic growth and social development. The success of this phase, she noted, will depend largely on how well member states can align their national efforts with the goals and priorities set out in Agenda 2063.
One of the core pillars of the AU’s integration strategy is the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a flagship project that aims to boost intra-African trade and build a single continental market for goods and services. According to Kebabonye, this initiative is not just about trade; it is about fostering deeper economic unity and setting the foundation for a more peaceful and self-reliant continent. “For us to achieve the peaceful Africa we envision, we must resolve conflicts amicably and peacefully. Integration is a key and flagship initiatives like the AfCFTA are crucial to that process,” she said. The AfCFTA, if successfully implemented, is expected to create one of the world’s largest free trade areas, potentially lifting millions out of poverty and significantly increasing Africa’s share in global trade.
Kebabonye also pointed to the importance of delivering effectively on national development plans. The AU has observed encouraging progress among member states in terms of coordination, alignment with SDGs, and the domestication of Agenda 2063 into national policy frameworks. However, she was quick to caution that the successful realization of these aspirations requires more than policy alignment; it also demands strong political commitment, institutional capacity, and widespread public awareness. In this regard, mobilizing domestic resources remains a top priority, as relying solely on external funding could jeopardize the sustainability of the projects.
Awareness and ownership of Agenda 2063 among African stakeholders—including governments, civil society, private sector actors, and citizens—are crucial to ensure that development initiatives reflect local needs and realities. Kebabonye called on all member states to enhance their efforts to align national strategies with continental priorities to ensure cohesive, efficient, and impactful implementation. She also highlighted the significant improvements being made in connectivity across the continent, noting that stronger infrastructure and logistics networks are vital for facilitating trade, investment, and people-to-people exchange.
One of the notable areas of progress is in regional connectivity, where countries like Ethiopia are playing a key role. Tirumar Abate, Ethiopia’s State Minister of Planning and Development stated that the country is actively undertaking strategic infrastructure and economic projects that align with the AU’s integration goals. These efforts include enhancing transport links, energy cooperation, and telecommunications infrastructure with neighboring countries and regional economic blocs. According to Abate, Ethiopia is committed to aligning its national development priorities with the broader objectives of Agenda 2063 to support and benefit from continental transformation.
Despite these encouraging signs, the path to realizing Agenda 2063 is not without serious challenges. One of the most pressing obstacles is climate change, which threatens to derail development progress in multiple sectors. Kebabonye warned that while climate change is a global issue, its effects are particularly devastating for Africa due to limited adaptive capacity, dependence on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, and fragile infrastructure. She stressed the need for resilient systems that can withstand environmental shocks and protect livelihoods, especially for vulnerable communities. This includes investing in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, water resource management, and disaster preparedness.
The director called on AU member states to accelerate the implementation of agreed-upon priorities, strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems, and address existing gaps through targeted interventions. She urged leaders to ensure that development efforts are practical, inclusive, and results-oriented, moving beyond high-level declarations to concrete action on the ground. Strengthening institutions, increasing transparency, and fostering regional cooperation will be critical to overcoming implementation bottlenecks and sustaining progress.
The launch of the second ten-year plan of Agenda 2063, covering the period from 2024 to 2033, has been framed by the AU as the “Decade of Acceleration.” It aims to fast-track the implementation of flagship projects, deepen regional integration, and create resilient economies capable of withstanding both internal and external shocks. The AU has set out clear targets in areas such as industrialization, youth employment, digital transformation, and health systems strengthening, recognizing that the success of Agenda 2063 will ultimately depend on how well the continent can respond to the evolving needs of its people.
As Africa navigates the complexities of global interdependence, demographic transitions, and technological change, Agenda 2063 serves as both a compass and a contract—anchoring collective aspirations in shared responsibilities. Its success will require strong partnerships at all levels, from local communities to continental institutions, and from traditional allies to emerging global players. With the second decade now underway, the African Union is calling on all stakeholders to seize the moment, accelerate implementation, and translate vision into reality.
The journey toward a prosperous and integrated Africa is far from over, but with renewed political will, coordinated action, and a shared sense of purpose, the goals of Agenda 2063 remain within reach. The next ten years will be critical not just for delivering development outcomes but for shaping the legacy of a continent on the rise.
BY DANIEL ALEMAYEHU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 10 JULY 2025
