Agenda 2063 is the African Union strategic framework for both social and economic transformation of the continent and the vehicle to achieve its vision of “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena.” In addition to its objectives and big hairy audacious goals, Agenda 2063 comes in place to revive and accelerate the implementation of past and existing continental initiatives for growth and sustainable development. “It’s both a Vision and an Action Plan. It is a call for action to all segments of African society to work together to build a prosperous and united Africa based on shared values and a common destiny.”
This ambitious strategic plan for Africa came as a result of thorough efforts from the African Union leadership together with heads of member states who, beyond acknowledging past accomplishments, have agreed on the urgency of laying down the foundations for an ambitious, well-developed, and modern Africa. Agenda 2063 constitutes a solid charter that will help turn what has been considered in the recent past nothing more than ‘wishful thinking’ into specific objectives and measurable goals with strategic initiatives to enable the realization of economic revitalization. Having identified the desired goals and benchmarks which nations hope to realize, the African Union has established The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), a vehicle tasked with bringing its vision to life.
What’s unique about Agenda 2063?
Several specificities differentiate Agenda 2063 from previous initiatives such as The Lagos Action Plan and The Program for Infrastructural Development. First, this strategic plan’s development relies on unprecedented involvement from the African Union’s member states and profound reflection of the priorities and goals of both citizen and country. To this end, the communication strategy built around Agenda 2063 focuses on to encouraging the involvement of every African to share in the progress and realization of the goals espoused in this vision.
Besides, each strategic objective and target covers is multiple dimensions: continental, regional, and national, under a shared understanding of responsibilities and accountabilities of all citizens and governments to achieve its outcome. It’s worth mentioning that this is the very first time that efforts of all African countries have been brought together under a unified framework that will undoubtedly bring more cohesion, quality, and more equitable, sustained, and prosperous development to the continent as a whole. It will also permit avoidance of duplicate efforts and thus enable better use of all available resources. As far as financing is concerned, various attempts are being made not only to avail diversified funding mechanisms, but also to encourage public-private partnerships, and venture capital investments.
Getting Started: The 7 African Aspirations for 2063
As a first step towards moving forward with its Agenda 2063, the African Union has identified seven aspirations with relevant goals that will have a higher priority in the implementation process. More details about these aspirations are going to be provided together with similar strategic perspectives underlying the vision of Agenda 2063. The latter will lead to the development of a strategy map that aligns all activities and initiatives to the vision statement and serves as both a power communication and progress monitoring framework.