#Africa101 is an ongoing series of explainer articles for topics that are essential for understanding the current landscape and trends on the continent.
What is Agenda 2063?
Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of Africa over the next 50 years. Adopted by the African Union (AU) in 2013, it is the continent's blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse. The Agenda envisions a continent that is united, peaceful, prosperous, and integrated. We’ve previously covered African integration and its potential benefits and challenges.
Agenda 2063 is based on seven aspirations, namely:
A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development
An integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa's Renaissance
An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law
A peaceful and secure Africa
A Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics
Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global player and partner
An Africa where development is people-driven, relying on the potential of Africa's women, youth and all its people groups
How will these aspirations be achieved?
The Agenda focuses on the following key areas for delivering on these ideals:
Infrastructure development: Building a network of highways, railways, airports and seaports to improve connectivity and access to basic services across the continent.
Industrialization: Accelerating the industrialization of Africa through the development of key sectors such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
Education and skills development: Improving access to quality education and skills development to enable Africa's workforce to compete in the global economy.
Health: Improving access to quality healthcare services, including primary health care and the development of pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries.
Climate change: Building resilience to the impacts of climate change and promoting sustainable development.
Regional integration: Enhancing regional integration through the development of common markets and the free movement of goods, services, and people.
Governance: Strengthening governance and democratic institutions, including the rule of law, human rights and good governance.
Why is this particular blueprint important?
Provides a vision
Agenda 2063 provides a clear vision of what Africa wants to achieve over the next 50 years and beyond, importantly laying out a roadmap for how to get there. This helps to focus efforts and resources on achieving shared goals.
Guides development
Serving as a guide for the development of Africa, the Agenda highlights key priorities and areas where action is needed to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth and development.
Encourages cooperation
Integration is a major theme of the Agenda, and it can only be achieved through cooperation and coordination among African countries. This can help to increase trade and investment, and with stronger economic and political ties, potentially aid in addressing regional and continental challenges more effectively.
Supports national development plans
Agenda 2063 supports national development plans and provides a framework for aligning them with the broader continental vision. Because some countries are more developed that others, this helps to ensure that the development efforts of African countries are complementary and mutually reinforcing.
Prioritizes youth and women
Africa’s population is set to grow significantly in the coming decades, and the Agenda recognizes the important role that young people and women already – and will continue to – play in the development of the continent, prioritizing their empowerment and inclusion.
Fosters economic transformation
Sustainable and inclusive economic growth will be key to ensuring that benefits are shared as widely as possible across the continent. Agenda 2063 includes efforts to diversify economies, create jobs, and reduce poverty.
Final note
With a long-term vision for Africa’s development, Agenda 2063 is a call for collective action by all sectors of society, including governments, the private sector, civil society, and the international community, to work together to build a better Africa. It has served as an important benchmark for guiding Africa's development and for ensuring that the continent’s future is bright, prosperous and inclusive for all.
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