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African Union
- Julia Biesel
- Jul 4, 2023
- 2 min read
Africa is not a country
This diverse continent, with a total of 55 countries, has been subjected to stereotypes and often denied relevance. However, modern Africa and the abilities and potentials of its people play an important role in global sustainable development. Ignoring the united Africa would be a big mistake.
Background
"The Organisation of African Unity" (OAU) was founded on May 25, 1963, by 32 independent African states, with the pan-African vision of a united, free, and self-determined Africa. The goals were freedom, equality, and justice for African peoples. The focus was on the fight against apartheid and the independence of the continent. The aim was to promote understanding and cooperation among the countries of Africa.
African Union
In 2002, African heads of state and government decided to reform the OAU. In order to realize Africa's potential, it was necessary to shift the focus of the organization's work from decolonization and the fight against apartheid to enhanced cooperation and integration among African states. The consensus was the decision to establish the African Union (AU) in July 2002, consisting of 53 African countries (now the AU includes all 55 member states of the continent). The goal is to promote Africa's growth and drive economic development.
Agenda 2063 – The africa we want
The centerpiece of the African Union's work is the Agenda 2063. The goal of this agenda is to position Africa as an independent and dominant actor in global partnerships. Africa aims to become a global competitor and leader in technological infrastructure. The development of Agenda 2063 is based on the strategic restructuring of the work of African heads of state and government.
Until the adoption of Agenda 2063 in 2013, the predecessor of the AU - the OAU - focused on the fight against apartheid and the independence of the continent. With Agenda 2063, new priorities are set, and inclusive social and economic development is brought into focus. Democratic governance, peace, and security are given priority to make Africa a dominant player on the global stage. To achieve these goals, a timeframe of 50 years was chosen. The restructuring of this work is important as it offers new potentials due to structural changes (e.g., globalization or the ICT revolution) that should be uniformly utilized.
Flagship projects
The Agenda 2063 contains important flagship programs aimed at boosting Africa's economic growth and development. These flagship projects include areas such as infrastructure, education, science, technology, arts & culture, as well as initiatives to secure peace on the continent.
Integrated high-speed train network
The goal of this project is to connect all African capitals and major trade centers through an African high-speed train network, thereby improving the transportation of goods, services, and people. Additionally, the better integration with the rail network is expected to reduce transportation costs.
Common Strategy for African Raw Materials
The development of a collaborative and unified raw materials strategy is considered key for the African continent to become a dominant and independent player in global partnerships. This strategy aims to generate added value and achieve higher returns from African raw materials. Africa, as a continent, should not only be a mere supplier of raw materials to the rest of the world but also actively and effectively utilize its own resources to ensure its own economic development.
Establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (Afcfta)
This program aims to strengthen intra-African trade and Africa's position in the global market. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to significantly accelerate the growth of intra-African trade and effectively utilize trade as a driver for growth and sustainable development.
The African passport and freedom of movement for people on the African continent
In the European Union, many people already experience the benefits of unrestricted movement within the EU. The AU also aims to achieve this goal with this flagship project. It aims to enable free travel, work, and living for people on the African continent. The initiative aims to change laws that, despite political commitments to border reduction, generally restrict the freedom of movement of people. Among other things, the issuance of visas by member states should be promoted.
Grand Inga Dam Project
The project is a major contribution to Africa's transition from traditional to modern sources of energy. The Inga Dam in the Congo is expected to generate 43,200 MW of electricity to support the current regional power pools.
Establishment of a unified African air transport market (SAATM)
The SAATM aims to ensure intra-regional connectivity between the capitals of Africa and create a unified air transport market in Africa, with the purpose of promoting economic integration and growth on the continent. The SAATM envisions the complete liberalization of intra-African air transport in terms of market access and traffic rights for eligible airlines, aiming to enhance air connectivity and improve the efficiency of aviation companies.
Establishment of an annual African Economic Forum
The annual African Economic Forum is a stakeholder meeting where Africa's political leadership, private sector, academia, and civil society come together to exchange ideas on accelerating Africa's economic transformation and harnessing its vast resources. In this context, measures are adopted to fulfill the Agenda 2063.
Establishment of the African Financial Institution
The establishment of continental African financial institutions aims to accelerate the integration and socio-economic development of the continent through the establishment of organizations that will play a central role in mobilizing resources and managing the African financial sector. The financial institutions envisioned to promote economic integration are the African Investment Bank and the Pan-African Stock Exchange, the African Monetary Fund, and the African Central Bank.
The Pan-African E-Network
The establishment of the African Financial Institution aims to develop policies and strategies that lead to transformative e-services. In particular, the focus is on intra-African broadband infrastructure and cybersecurity. The technological potentials in this area are to be utilized to transform Africa into a fully electrified society.
Africa's Space Strategy
Space is of crucial importance for Africa's development in all areas: agriculture, disaster management, climate prediction, banking and finance, as well as defense and security. Access to these technologies in Africa needs to be accelerated. New advancements in satellite technology are making them accessible to African countries, and appropriate policy measures and strategies are needed to develop a regional market in Africa.
Africa's Virtual University and E-University
This project aims to utilize ICT-based programs to enhance access to education and lifelong learning in Africa, reaching a large number of students and professionals across multiple locations simultaneously. The program aims to develop relevant and high-quality resources for open learning, distance education, and e-learning, providing students with guaranteed access to the university from anywhere in the world and at any time (24/7).
Cyber Security
The decision to include cybersecurity as a flagship program in Agenda 2063 is a clear indication that Africa not only wants to incorporate the rapid changes brought by new technologies into its development plans but also ensure that these technologies are used for the benefit of African individuals, institutions, or individual states. This includes ensuring data protection and internet security.
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