Launched by the African Union (AU), the Agenda 2063 is a 50-year blueprint for Africa’s inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development. In terms of timeline, the plan is divided into five 10-Year Implementation Plans. The first plan ran from 2014 to 2023, and the current phase spans from 2024 to 2033. Thematically, it aims to achieve Seven Aspirations, each with specific goals designed to drive the continent towards its grand vision for 2063.  At the heart of this vision is the…

As Africa marks a decade since the adoption of Agenda 2063, its bold and ambitious seven aspirations have positioned the continent as a strong, united, resilient, and influential global player and partner.  Reaffirming its Pan-Africanism and African renaissance plan, aspiration seven of Agenda 2063 underscores the importance of Africa’s unity and solidarity in the face of major challenges emanating from the changing nature of globalisation, climate change, and economic and political environment. Due to these challenges, many countries lag in…

Borders that are crisscrossed more frequently by trade in goods and services are less likely to be besieged by soldiers and other armed elements, buttressing the fact that trade dividends are not just related to development, growth, and prosperity, but also include peace and mutual understanding through dialogue among civilisations. With the proliferation of regional free trade areas across the world, it is without doubt that trade makes concrete contributions to the economic growth of many countries, and trade promotion…

Africa stands at a pivotal moment. From the devastating impacts of climate change to persistent human rights violations and escalating economic disputes, the continent faces challenges that demand bold, homegrown solutions. The African Court of Justice (ACJ), envisioned as a cornerstone of African judicial sovereignty, remains dormant; a promise unfulfilled. As the African Union (AU) navigates a rapidly changing global landscape, the time to operationalise the ACJ is now. A Vision for African Justice Conceived in the AU’s Constitutive Act…

Many African thinkers and experts have long spoken about the potential economic power of the continent and what should be done to realize this potential. Our leaders of yesteryear have clearly outlined a program of action meant to achieve the stated objectives.  The internal strives within many countries that have pioneered this project impacted at the pace and tempo of the implementation of this program. The major objective of the program adopted in 1963 by the Organization of African Unity…

Humming factories, bustling ports, and shuttling merchants highlight the vibrancy of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. Over the years, this partnership has grown significantly, optimising trade structures and fostering mutual development. This deepening collaboration is evident in China’s role as Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner for 15 consecutive years.  During the first seven months of 2024, trade between China and African countries reached $167 billion, reflecting a 5.5-percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. According to the International…

The world in 2024 was far from peaceful. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has persisted for over 1,000 days. Meanwhile, a new wave of violence in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, ongoing for more than a year, spilled over into Lebanon, Iran, and even Syria.  Africa also faced new challenges to peace and security over the past year. Armed conflicts continued in various regions, particularly in the Horn of Africa, while terrorism and external interference exacerbated regional instability. These challenges made…

It’s that time of the year again when we find ourselves reflecting on the year that was and the year ahead. On the African continent, many countries are still recovering from the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and are doing so amid a fraught geopolitical environment. These tensions have, to some extent, created hurdles in the path of Africa’s recovery.  The African Development Bank has attributed the economic slowdown on the continent to astronomical inflation caused by soaring food and…

South Africa, and Africa’s, G20 in 2025 comes at a time of deepening geopolitical and geo-economic fractures, conflicts, and a cost-of-living crisis. We are told that hosting large international events brings prestige on the global stage, but it is expensive and does not necessarily lead to concrete development outcomes. There is an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. The lesson from this proverb is captured in the theme…

Access to electricity remains a major challenge in many parts of Africa. In remote villages, people still rely on candles or paraffin lamps for light after dark. Even in large cities that are connected to the grid, power cuts are common.  Fortunately, Africa has a wealth of renewable energy resources, especially solar energy. Areas such as the south Sahara, where there is plenty of sunshine, offer immense potential for green power generation, particularly well suited to photovoltaic energy.  In recent…