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Understanding Agenda 2063
Agenda 2063: an e-mail from the future Presentation by Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission
The Africa We Want
AGENDA 2063 is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. Simply put it is the continent’s vision and development Master Plan, dating from May 1963when the OAU was formed to 2063, its centennial anniversary. 2063 is Africa’s the D-date with destiny, measuring how far it had come to achieving the global powerhouse it should be.
It is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance. The genesis of Agenda 2063 was the realisation by African leaders that there was a need to refocus and reprioritise Africa’s agenda from the struggle against apartheid and the attainment of political independence for the continent which had been the focus of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor of the African Union; and instead to prioritise inclusive social and economic development, continental and regional integration, democratic governance and peace and security amongst other issues aimed at repositioning Africa to becoming a dominant player in the global arena.
As an affirmation of their commitment to support Africa’s new path for attaining inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development African heads of state and government signed the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the formation of the OAU /AU in May 2013. The declaration marked the re-dedication of Africa towards the attainment of the Pan African Vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena, and Agenda 2063 is the concrete manifestation of how the continent intends to achieve this vision within a 50 year period from 2013 to 2063. The Africa of the future was captured in an e-mail from the futureto Kwame, presented by the former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in 2014.
Agenda 2063 seeks to deliver on a set of Seven Aspirations each with its own set of goals which if achieved will move Africa closer to achieving its vision for the year 2063. These 7 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 are realised, and with freedom from fear, disease and want
Why Is Agenda 2063 So Important For Africa and its Peoples?
According to the AU, Agenda 2063 project is important and timely for a number of reasons:
Changing Global Context
According to the AU, Agenda 2063 is an approach of how the continent should effectively learn from the lessons of the past, build on the progress now underway, and strategically exploit all possibilities available in the short, medium and long term, so as to ensure positive Socio-economic transformation within the next 50 years.
Globalization and the information technology revolution have provided unprecedented opportunities for countries and regions with the right policies to make significant advances and lift huge sections of populations out of poverty, improve incomes and catalyse economic and social transformation.
Agenda 2063 is both important and timely for a number of reasons:
Strong and Well-Functioning Regional Institutions
Africa’s regional institutions are the building blocks have been rationalized and the eight officially AU recognized Regional Economic Communities – Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CENSAD), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS),Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) are today strong development and political institutions that citizens’ can count on and Agenda 2063 can stand on.
New Development and Investment Opportunities
Africa today is faced with a confluence of factors that present great opportunity for consolidation and rapid progress. These include:
• Unprecedented positive and sustained growth trajectory of many African countries;
• Significant reduction in violent conflict, increased peace and stability, coupled with advances in democratic governance;
• A rising middle class, coupled with the youth bulge, which can act as catalyst for further growth, particularly in the consumer sectors and services;
• Changes in international finance architecture, with the rise of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and improved flows of Foreign Direct Investment.
A More United and Stronger Africa
The ultimate aim and destination of Agenda 2063 is a United Africa. Building on the NEPAD experienceit says that a more united Africais a stronger Africa with global powers to reckon with. A united Africa is capable of rallying support around a common agenda and speaking with one voice with demonstrated strong capacity to negotiate and withstand the influence of forces that would like to see it divided.
What underlies the manifold visions and approaches is a belief in the unity, common history and purpose of the peoples of Africa and the diaspora and the notion that their destinies are interconnected. Much of this is defined by the need to oppose Eurocentrism and reclaim Africa’s rightful place in history.
The Need to Align Continental Frameworks, Improve Coherence and Synergy
At the continental level, the AU has endorsed several frameworks to advance the integration agenda, promote social and economic development, peace and security and democracy. In many cases, these remain isolated from each other and sectoral in approach. Agenda 2063 is an important opportunity to harmonize these continental frameworks, improve coherence and synergy and lay strong foundation for their full implementation.
The Need for Africa To Develop Its Own Long-Term Strategy To Regain Its Own Destiny
Several regions and countries reflecting on their long-term strategies see Africa as an important continent for their future prosperity and security. Africa must therefore develop its own long-term strategy based on African aspirations as well as its people’s ingenuity, creativity and hard work to regain its own destiny. The factors outlined above constitute a unique opportunity for Africa to capitalize upon. However, success depends upon acting in unity, transparency, willingness and capability to assess performance and correct mistakes and build on successes, placing citizens’ first, and sound governance and values. The desire to chart a new chapter in Africa’s development and the realization of the aspirations for a better future must be matched by renewed and sustained political commitment as exemplified by the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration.
This can be further strengthened through:
At AU Watch, we support the vision and dream of Agenda 2063.
At AU Watch, we support such the vision and dream of 2063. Wehope our policy chiefs have the courage, goodwill and honesty to carry through with it.
But get connected, Have your say. Discuss what Africa should look like in 2063. Share a multimedia and become a participant by logging on:www.agenda2063.au-watch.org or click on the following threads and ‘Have Your Say.’
Leadership spotlight
Hon. Bahame Tom Mukirya Nyanduga, Chairperson of AU Watch
Hon. Bahame Tom, Mukirya Nyanduga is the Chairperson of AU Watch. He is the UN Independent Expert on the Human Rights Situation in Somalia, since May 2014. He was the Chairperson for the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance of the United Republic of Tanzania- appointed in January 2015. Hon. BTM Nyanduga was also the Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He is one of the leading human rights defenders in the continent and has been for over forty years.
Professor Adeyemi Coker, Director, Agenda 2063 program
Professor Adeyemi Coker was previously a Senior Legal Advisor at the African Union leading work on the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa. In his 30 years as a (motivational) speaker, journalist, human rights activist, political commentator, international lawyer, university lecturer, fundraiser, and consultant, Feyi has taken CSOs of all sizes to new heights – and earned an international reputation for excellence in the process. Feyi serves on several company boards and advisory committees for non-profit organizations, and is actively involved in numerous development initiatives across Africa.
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UNDERSTANDING THE SEVEN ASPIRATIONS
The Voices of The African People
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.
So, What Are These Aspirations?
Agenda 2063 seeks to deliver on a set of Seven Aspirations each with its own set of goals which if achieved will move Africa closer to achieving its vision for the year 2063. According to the AU, 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.
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
ASPIRATION 1: A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development
Africa should have been able,by 2063, to eradicate poverty in one generation and build shared prosperity through social and economic transformation of the continent.
Goals:
1. A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all; ending poverty, inequalities of income and opportunity; job creation, especially addressing youth unemployment; facing up to the challenges of rapid population growth and urbanization, improvement of habitats and access to basic necessities of life – water, sanitation, electricity; providing social security and protection.
2. Well educated citizens and skills revolutions underpinned by science, technology and innovation; developing Africa’s human and social capital (through an education and skills revolution emphasizing science and technology).
3. Healthy and well-nourished citizens; expanding access to quality health care services, particularly for women and girls.
4. Transformed economies and jobs; transforming Africa’s economies through beneficiation from Africa’s natural resources, manufacturing, industrialization and value addition, as well as raising productivity and competitiveness.
5. Modern agriculture for increased proactivity and production; radically transforming African agriculture to enable the continent to feed itself and be a major player as a net food exporter.
6. Blue/Ocean Economy for accelerated economic growth; exploiting the vast potential of Africa’s blue/ocean economy.
7. Environmentally sustainable climate and resilient economies and communities; putting in place measures to sustainably manage the continent’s rich biodiversity, forests, land and waters and using mainly adaptive measures to address climate change risks.
Since 1963, the quest for African Unity has been inspired by the spirit of Pan Africanism, focusing on liberation, and political and economic independence. It is motivated by development based on self-reliance and self-determination of African people, with democratic and people-centred governance.
Goals:
1. United Africaaccelerating progress towards continental unity and integration for sustained growth, trade, exchanges of goods, services, free movement of people and capital through establishing a United Africa and fast-tracking economic integration through the of the CFTA.
2. World class infrastructure criss-crosses Africa; improving connectivity through newer and bolder initiatives to link the continent by rail, road, sea and air; and developing regional and continental power pools, as well as ICT.
3. Decolonisation. All remnants of colonialism will have ended and all African territories under occupation fully liberated. We shall take measures to expeditiously end the unlawful occupation of the Chagos Archipelago, the Comorian Island of Mayotte and affirming the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
Aspiration 2: An integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance.
Aspiration 3: An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law
An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law. By 2063, Africa shall have a universal culture of good governance, democratic values, gender equality, and respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law.
Goals:
1. Democratic values, practices, universal principles for human rights, justice and rule of law entrenchedconsolidating democratic gains and improving the quality of governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
2. Capable institutions and transformed leadership in place at all levels; building strong institutions for a development state; and facilitating the emergence of development-oriented and visionary leadership in all spheres and at all levels.
Goals:
1. 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.
2. Peace security and stability is preserved; strengthening governance, accountability and transparency as a foundation for a peaceful Africa.
3. A stable and peaceful Africa; strengthening mechanisms for securing peace and reconciliation at all levels, as well as addressing emerging threats to Africa’s peace and security.
4. A fully functional and operational APSA; putting in place strategies for the continent to finance her security needs.
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.
Aspiration 5: An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared 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.
Goals:
1. Africa cultural renaissance is pre-eminent; inculcating the spirit of Pan Africanism; tapping Africa’s rich heritage and culture to ensure that the creative arts are major contributors to Africa’s growth and transformation; and restoring and preserving Africa’s cultural heritage, including its languages.
All the citizens of Africa will be actively involved in decision making in all aspects. Africa shall be an inclusive continent where no child, woman or man will be left behind or excluded, on the basis of gender, political affiliation, religion, ethnic affiliation, locality, age or other factors.
Goals:
1. Full gender equality in all spheres of life; strengthening the role of Africa’s women through ensuring gender equality and parity in all spheres of life (political, economic and social); eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.
2. Engaged and empowered youth and children; creating opportunities for Africa’s youth for self-realisation, access to health, education and jobs; ensuring safety and security for Africa’s children, and providing for early childhood development.
Aspiration 6: An Africa, whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children.
Aspiration 7: Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global player and partner.
Africa shall be a strong, united, resilient, peaceful and influential global player and partner with a significant role in world affairs. We affirm the importance of African unity and solidarity in the face of continued external interference including, attempts to divide the continent and undue pressures and sanctions on some countries.
Goals:
1. Africa as a major partner in global affairs and peaceful co-existence; improving Africa’s place in the global governance system (UN Security Council, financial institutions, global commons such as outer space).
2. Africa takes full responsibility for financing her development; improving Africa’s partnerships and refocusing them more strategically to respond to African priorities for growth and transformation; and ensuring that the continent has the right strategies to finance its own development and reducing aid dependency.
THE KEY AGENDA 2063 FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
INTEGRATED HIGH SPEED TRAIN NETWORK
Connecting all African capitals and commercial centres through an African High-Speed Train to facilitate movement of goods, factor services and people, reduce transport costs and relieve congestion of current and future systems.
AN AFRICAN VIRTUAL AND E-UNIVERSITY
Increasing access to tertiary and continuing education in Africa by reaching large numbers of students and professionals in multiple sites simultaneously and developing relevant and high quality Open Distance and eLearning (ODeL) resources to offer the prospective student guaranteed access to the University from anywhere in the world and anytime (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
FORMULATION OF A COMMODITIES STRATEGY
Enabling African countries add value, extract higher rents from their commodities, integrate into the Global Value chains, and promote vertical and horizontal diversification anchored in value addition and local content development.
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ANNUAL AFRICAN FORUM
This is designed to bring together, once a year, the African political leadership, the private sector, academia and civil society to discuss developments and constraints as well as measures to be taken to realize the Aspirations and goals of Agenda 2063.
CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA
To significantly accelerate growth of Intra-Africa trade and use trade more effectively as an engine of growth and sustainable development, through doubling of intra-Africa trade by 2022, strengthen Africa’s common voice and policy space in global trade negotiations and establish the following financial institutions within agreed upon timeframes: African Investment Bank and Pan African Stock Exchange (2016); the African Monetary Fund (2018); and the African Central Bank (2028/34).
THE AFRICAN PASSPORT AND FREE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE
Transforming Africa’s laws, which remain generally restrictive on movement of people despite political commitments to bring down borders with the view to promoting the issuance of visas by Member States and enhance free movement of African citizens in all African countries by 2018. 04 The Key Agenda 2063 Flagship Projects
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GRAND INGA DAM PROJECT
The optimal development of the Inga Dam will generate 43,200 MW of power to support current regional power pools and their combined service to transform Africa from traditional to modern sources of energy and ensure access of all Africans to clean and affordable electricity.
THE PAN-AFRICAN E-NETWORK
This involves a wide range of stakeholders and envisages putting in place policies and strategies that will lead to transformative e-applications and services in Africa especially the intra-African broad band terrestrial infrastructure and cyber security thereby making information revolution the basis for service delivery in the bio and nanotechnology industries and ultimately transform Africa into an e-Society.
SILENCING THE GUNS BY 2020
Ending all wars, civil conflicts, gender-based violence and violent conflicts and prevent genocide. Monitor progress through the establishment and operationalization of an African Human Security Index (AHSI).
AFRICA OUTER SPACE STRATEGY
This aims to strengthen Africa’s use of outer space to bolster its development. Outer space is of critical importance to the development of Africa in all fields: agriculture, disaster management, remote sensing, climate forecast, banking and finance, as well as defence and security. Africa’s access to space technology products is no longer a matter of luxury and there is a need to speed up access to these technologies and products. New developments in satellite technologies make these very accessible to African countries.
ESTABLISHMENT OF A SINGLE AFRICAN AIR TRANSPORT MARKET
This flagship project aims at delivering a single African air transport market to facilitate air transportation in Africa.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AFRICAN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Establishment of the African Continental Financial Institutions aims at accelerating integration and socio-economic development of the continent, as they are important institutions for the mobilization of resources and management of the financial sector.