AU WATCH

AU Policy Organs

African Union Rising to the Need for Continental IP Protection? The Establishment of the Pan-African Intellectual Property Organization,
Journal of African Law
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 March 2015

Y Mupangavanhu

Summary
Intellectual property rights protection is at the forefront of some of the major controversies regarding the impact of globalization. African countries have in recent years participated to an unprecedented degree in both international and bilateral initiatives dealing with intellectual property. Accordingly, the main aim of this article is to discuss the establishment of the Pan-African Intellectual Property Organization in line with the African Union’s vision for regional integration.

Regional integration and Africa’s development trajectory (2009)
R. Gibb; 30/4, Third World Quarterly, 701

Regional integration in Africa: Policy and administrative implications (2005), Journal of Public Administration
By Mukamanana, R and Moeti, K Challenges

Intra-African regional trade integration
James Thuo Gathii
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Introduction
This chapter examines intra-African regional trade integration agreements, as well as examples of projects funded to realize such integration. The chapter then examines the importance of linkages between the regions in agriculture, which is of major importance to African economies, before examining the importance of links in communications, information and communication technology and air transport and surface transport (roads, rail, ports and maritime). The chapter ends with a discussion of the proposed COMESA-EAC-SADC FTA and the East Africa Migration Route Programme.

Agenda 2063 and Its Implications for Africa’s Soft Power
by Oluwaseun Tella

Summary
Africa has struggled to counteract the negative images (ranging from diseases to war, terrorism, poverty, and crime) that it evokes in the eyes of the global audience. This has punctured Africa’s soft power potential and undermined its influence in the global arena, creating the need for the development of a strong and acceptable normative and strategic framework. In this regard, Agenda 2063’s strong commitment to the African Renaissance and a different and better Africa is critical. The article thus examines the potential of Agenda 2063’s Aspirations 3, 4, and 5 to enhance the continent’s soft power and boost its standing in the international system.

First Continental Report on the Implementation of Agenda 2063

Summary

The January 2013 African Union Summit adopted Agenda 2063 – “The Africa We Want” – as Africa’s blueprint and master plan for sustainable development and economic growth of the continent. It is an affirmation by African Heads of State and Government of their commitment to transform Africa into the global powerhouse. To fast-track implementation of Agenda 2063 over the 50-year period, the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan spanning from 2014 to 2023 was developed and subsequently endorsed at the June 2015 Summit of the African Union. In line with the Union’s results-based approach to development, high importance is attached to reporting on the implementation of Agenda 2063 as a prerequisite for facilitating peer learning and mutual accountability, and thus realising the continent’s developmental goals.

Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want
Publication date: 2015
Author: African Union Commission

Summary

Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years. Its builds on, and seeks to accelerate the implementation of past and existing continental initiatives for growth and sustainable development.