The African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has issued a strong call to action, declaring that Africa’s Agenda 2063 “Decade of Acceleration” will ultimately be judged by the delivery of tangible transformation rather than the mere quality of its blueprints.
Speaking at the Ministerial Follow-up Committee on the Implementation of Agenda 2063, Youssouf evaluated the first Biennial Progress Report of the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (2024–2033). He revealed that Africa’s continental performance currently stands at 53%. While acknowledging that progress is visible across the continent, he cautioned delegates that it is not yet occurring at the speed and scale required to meet the grand ambitions of the continental initiative.
“Let this be the decade where Africa moves decisively from aspiration to realisation,” Youssouf stated.
Progress and Perils Across the Continent
The Chairperson highlighted encouraging gains in governance reforms and citizen empowerment across member states. However, he balanced this optimism with a stern warning that development remains dangerously uneven across several flagship “moonshot” projects.
To bridge these gaps and catalyze the continent’s development, the Chairperson outlined three urgent priorities that African nations must fast-track immediately.
Three Pillars for Accelerated Growth
First, Youssouf emphasized that regional integration must be fast-tracked. This requires building on the foundation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), advancing air transport liberalisation, integrating energy markets, and driving digital transformation. He noted that these efforts must simultaneously address persistent gaps in infrastructure, connectivity, and protocol implementation.
Second, he reminded the committee that peace and security remain indispensable prerequisites for any meaningful development, investment, and trade to thrive across the continent.
Finally, the AU leader called for an urgent reform in financing for development. He urged member states to focus on stronger domestic resource mobilisation, fair and effective taxation, and enhanced public financial management. Furthermore, he demanded decisive action against illicit financial flows alongside the deployment of innovative financing instruments to fund Africa’s future.
Strengthening Accountability and Leadership
Beyond structural reforms, Youssouf called for a cultural shift in governance, demanding stronger alignment between planning, budgeting, and execution. He stressed the need for a deeper integration of Agenda 2063 into national development frameworks and the reinforcement of accountability systems to ensure strict delivery on promises.
Concluding his address, the Chairperson expressed his sincere gratitude to the President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, H.E. Alassane Ouattara, praising his continued leadership and unwavering commitment in his capacity as the AU Champion for Agenda 2063.
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