The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) has called for a strategic shift in how the continent’s premier institution handles its intellectual assets, asserting that institutional memory is the primary engine driving the implementation of Agenda 2063.
During an official tour of the Knowledge Management (KM) Unit within the Directorate of Information and Communication (ICD), the Chairperson emphasized that the Union’s ability to shape the future depends entirely on its ability to preserve the past.
“We need institutional memory,” the Chairperson stated. “An organisation without a memory cannot sustain the responsibility of having a history, and of preparing itself for coming generations.”
A Call for Resource Mobilization
Accompanied by his spokesperson, Mr. Nuur Mohamud Sheekh, the Chairperson was guided through the Union’s archives and library by Mrs. Wynne Musabayana, Head of Communication and Acting Director of Information and Communication, alongside Mr. Asmerom Girma, Head of the Knowledge Management Unit.
While congratulating the team for maintaining the archives in the best form and shape possible despite significant constraints, the Chairperson issued a direct mandate for increased investment in the Directorate. He stressed that both logistic and human resources must be scaled up to ensure the African Union’s historical and intellectual records remain secure and accessible.
Knowledge as a Strategic Accelerator
The visit underscores the strategic shift outlined in the Union’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, where knowledge is no longer viewed as a static resource but as a dynamic accelerator for continental development. Under this framework knowledge acts as the catalyst for the second ten-year implementation plan of Agenda 2063, and information serves as the vital enabler for transparent governance.
The KM Unit is tasked with the collection and dissemination of these assets, which are critical for AU staff, Member States, and African researchers who require primary data to inform policy and innovation.
Digital and Physical Access for All
By prioritizing its archives and libraries, the AUC aims to provide a single source of truth for the continent. These resources are designed to serve a diverse ecosystem, ranging from policymakers seeking continuity to content creators looking to tell authentic African stories.
The Chairperson’s visit signals a renewed institutional focus on ensuring that the African Union remains a learning organization where transparency and scholarship are at the forefront of the Africa We Want.
Explore the African Union’s digital repositories:
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Archives: https://archives.au.int
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Knowledge Base: https://akb.au.int
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Library: https://library.au.int
