The Africa We Want

THE VOICES OF THE AFRICAN PEOPLE

1. We, the people of Africa and her Diaspora, united in diversity, young and old, men and women, girls and boys from all walks of life, deeply conscious of history, express our deep appreciation to all generations of Pan-Africanists.

In particular, to the founders of the Organisation of African Unity for having bequeathed us an Africa with exemplary successes in the fight against slavery, colonialism and apartheid. Agenda 2063, rooted in Pan Africanism and African Renaissance, provides a robust framework for addressing past injustices and the realisation of the 21st Century as the African Century.

2. We echo the Pan-African call that Africa must unite in order to realize its Renaissance. Present generations are confident that the destiny of Africa is in their hands, and that they must act now to shape the future they want. Fifty years after the first thirty-three (33) independent African states took a landmark decision to form the Organization of African Unity, we are looking ahead towards the next fifty years.

3. In this new and noble initiative, past plans and commitments have been reviewed, and we pledge to take into account lessons from them as we implement Agenda 2063. These include: mobilization of the people and their ownership of continental programmes at the core; the principle of self-reliance and Africa financing its own development; the importance of capable, inclusive and accountable states and institutions at all levels and in all spheres; the critical role of Regional Economic Communities as building blocks for continental unity; taking into account of the special challenges faced by both island and land-locked states; and holding ourselves and our governments and institutions accountable for results. Agenda 2063 will not happen spontaneously, it will require conscious and deliberate efforts to nurture a transformative leadership that will drive the agenda and defend Africa’s interests.

4. We rededicate ourselves to the enduring Pan African vision of “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena.”

AFRICAN ASPIRATIONS FOR 2063

5. Our united voices paint a picture of what we desire for ourselves, for future generations and the continent.

6. The aspirations reflect our desire for shared prosperity and well-being, for unity and integration, for a continent of free citizens and expanded horizons, where the full potential of women and youth, boys and girls are realized, and with freedom from fear, disease and want.

7. Africa is self-confident in its identity, heritage, culture and shared values and as a strong, united and influential partner on the global stage making its contribution to peace, human progress, peaceful co-existence and welfare. In short, a different and better Africa.

8. We are confident that Africa has the capability to realise her full potential in development, culture and peace and to establish flourishing, inclusive and prosperous societies. We thus, commit to act together towards achieving the following aspirations:

ASPIRATION 1: A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development

9. We are determined to eradicate poverty in one generation and build shared prosperity through social and economic transformation of the continent.

10. We aspire that by 2063, Africa shall be a prosperous continent, with the means and resources to drive its own development, with sustainable and long-term stewardship of its resources and where:

• African people have a high standard of living, and quality of life, sound health and well-being;

• Well educated and skilled citizens, underpinned by science, technology and innovation for a knowledge society is the norm and no child misses school due to poverty or any form of discrimination;

• Cities and other settlements are hubs of cultural and economic activities,

OUR ASPIRATIONS FOR THE AFRICA WE WANT

1. A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development

2. An integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance

3. An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law

4. A peaceful and secure Africa

5. An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics

6. An Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children

7. Africa as a strong, united and influential global player and partner including gender, racial and other forms of discrimination will be ended.

The political unity of Africa will be the culmination of the integration process, which includes the free movement of people and the establishment of continental institutions, leading to full economic integration. By 2030, there shall be consensus on the form of the continental government and institutions..

Africa shall be a continent where the free movement of people, capital, goods and services will result in significant increases in trade and investments amongst African countries rising to unprecedented levels, and in the strengthening of Africa’s place in global trade.

By 2063, the necessary infrastructure will be in place to support Africa’s accelerated integration and growth, technological transformation, trade and development. This will include high-speed railway networks, roads, shipping lines, sea and air transport, as well as well-developed ICT and the digital economy. A Pan-African High Speed Train Network will connect all the major cities/capitals of the continent, with adjacent highways and pipelines for gas, oil, water, as well as ICT Broadband cables and other infrastructure. This will be a catalyst for manufacturing, skills development, technology, research and development, integration and intra-African trade, investments and tourism.

The world-class infrastructure, accompanied by trade facilitation, will see intra-African trade growing from less than 12% in 2013 to approaching 50% by 2045. Africa’s share of global trade shall rise from 2% to 12%. This will in turn spur the growth of Pan-African companies of global reach in all sectors.

ASPIRATION 3: An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law

Africa shall have a universal culture of good governance, democratic values, gender equality, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law.

We aspire that by 2063, Africa will:

• Be a continent where democratic values, culture, practices, universal principles of human rights, gender equality, justice and the rule of law are entrenched; and

• Have capable institutions and transformative leadership in place at all levels.

The continent’s population will enjoy affordable and timely access to independent courts and judiciary that deliver justice without fear or favour.

Corruption and impunity will be a thing of the past.

Africa will be a continent where the institutions are at the service of its people. Citizens will actively participate in the social, economic and political development and management. Competent, professional, rules and merit-based public institutions will serve the continent and deliver effective and efficient services. Institutions at all levels of government will be developmental, democratic, and accountable.

There will be transformative leadership in all fields (political, economic, religious, cultural, academic, youth and women) and at continental, regional, national and local levels.

ASPIRATION 4. A peaceful and secure Africa

Mechanisms for peaceful prevention and resolution of conflicts will be functional at all levels. As a first step, dialogue-centred conflict prevention and resolution will be actively promoted in such a way that by 2020 all guns will be silent. A culture of peace and tolerance shall be nurtured in Africa’s children and youth through peace education.

Africa will be a peaceful and secure continent, with harmony among communities starting at grassroots level. The management of our diversity will be a source of wealth, harmony and social and economic transformation rather than a source of conflict.

We aspire that by 2063, Africa shall have:

• An entrenched and flourishing culture of human rights, democracy, gender equality, inclusion and peace;

• Prosperity, security and safety for all citizens; and

• Mechanisms to promote and defend the continent’s collective security and interests.

We recognize that a prosperous, integrated and united Africa, based on good governance, democracy, social inclusion and respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law are the necessary pre-conditions for a peaceful and conflict-free continent.

The continent will witness improved human security with sharp reductions in violent crimes. There shall be safe and peaceful spaces for individuals, families and communities.

Africa shall be free from armed conflict, terrorism, extremism, intolerance and gender-based violence, which are major threats to human security, peace and development. The continent will be drugs-free, with no human trafficking, where organized crime and other forms of criminal networks, such as the arms trade and piracy, are ended. Africa shall have ended the illicit trade in and proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

Africa shall promote human and moral values based on inclusion and the rejection of all forms of terrorism, religious extremism and other forms of intolerance, irrespective of their motivations.

By 2063, Africa will have the capacity to secure peace and protect its citizens and their interests, through common defence, foreign and security policies.

ASPIRATION 5: An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics

Pan-Africanism and the common history, destiny, identity, heritage, respect for religious diversity and consciousness of African people’s and her diaspora’s will be entrenched.

We aspire that by 2063:

• Pan Africanism will be fully entrenched;

• The African Renaissance has reached its peak; and

• Our diversity in culture, heritage, languages and religion shall be a cause of strength, including the tangible and intangible heritage of Africa’s island states.

Pan-African ideals will be fully embedded in all school curricula and Pan-African cultural assets (heritage, folklore, languages, film, music, theatre, literature, festivals, religions and spirituality.) will be enhanced. The African creative arts and industries will be celebrated throughout the continent, as well as, in the diaspora and contribute significantly to self-awareness, well-being and prosperity, and to world culture and heritage. African languages will be the basis for administration and integration. African values of family, community, hard work, merit, mutual respect and social cohesion will be firmly entrenched.

Africa’s stolen culture, heritage and artefacts will be fully repatriated and

safeguarded.

© African Union Commission

ISBN: 978-92-95104-23-5