Agenda 2063 was adopted by the 24th Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa in January 2015 under Assembly/AU/Dec.565(XXIV). The Agenda embodies the aspirations of the African people, framed in a collective ambition thus: “The Africa We Want in 2063”. The Agenda is operationalised through a series of five Ten-Year Implementation Plans, with the first plan straddling 2014 to 2023. The Second Ten -Year Implementation Plan, also known as the decade of acceleration, was launched in February 2024 and will continue till 2033. The AU described the launch of the second-decade implementation plan and its priorities as a historic milestone for the African Union, its members, and all African citizens. “The Second 10-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 is a bold and ambitious roadmap for Africa’s transformation. It is a manifestation of the collective will and determination of the African people to shape their destiny,” it said.
The Non-Aligned Movement, being the largest collective organisation of the Global South, has expressed its full support for the effective implementation of Agenda 2063 to promote peace, stability and socio-economic development in Africa. The final document issued during the 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement held at Kampala, Uganda on 19-20 January,2024, welcomed the launch of the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan STYIP of Agenda 2063.
According to the AU, the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan embodies an outline of Africa’s ambitions in the second decade that will guide development efforts of African citizens, Member States, AU Organs and Structures, and development partners; a Theory of Change that defines how results will be achieved and provides guidance on the Moonshot interventions and catalytic priorities, targets and indicative strategies that strongly embed resilience; and a description of the governance and management arrangements for executing Agenda 2063 Second Ten-Year Plan.
The Second Ten-Year Action Plan lists 7 aspirations and a set of related goals. Aspiration 1 is a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development. Its related goals are a high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all citizens, transformed economies, modern agriculture for increased productivity and production, blue/ocean economy for accelerated economic growth, and environmentally sustainable and climate resilient economies and communities. Aspiration 2 is “an integrated continent politically united, based on the ideas of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance”. The related goals are the establishment of a United Africa (Federal or Confederate), the establishment of continental financial and monetary institutions and the establishment of a world class infrastructure across Africa.
Aspiration 3 is “An Africa of good governance, respect for human rights, justice and rule of law”. The related goals are ensuring that democratic values, practices, universal principles of human rights, justice and the rule of law entrenched and capable institutions and transformative leadership in place. Aspiration 4 is “a peaceful and secure Africa”. The related goals are the preservation of peace, security and stability in Africa and a fully functional Africa Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). Aspiration 5 is building an Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics and its related goal is to ensure that the African cultural renaissance is pre-eminent. Aspiration 6 is making an Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children. Its related goals are to ensure that well-educated citizens and skills revolution are underpinned by science, technology and innovation, citizens are well-nourished and healthy, full gender equality is established in all spheres of life and youth, and children are engaged and empowered. Aspiration 7 envisages Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global player and partner. The related goals are to make Africa a major partner in global affairs and peaceful co-existence and ensure that Africa takes full responsibility for financing her development.
The plan also identifies flagship projects that will have a high impact, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, the African Passport, the Grand Inga Dam, the Single African Air Transport Market, the African Virtual University, the Pan-African E-Network, and the African Outer Space Strategy. These projects will enhance regional integration, economic diversification, innovation, and competitiveness, as well as social inclusion and cohesion. The launch of the plan is a call to action for all stakeholders to join hands and work together to make Agenda 2063 a reality.
