The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to unity, integration, and sustainable development as the continent marked Africa Day 2026. In a statement commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), Youssouf said the milestone continues to inspire Africa’s collective pursuit of dignity, liberation, and progress.
Theme of Africa Day 2026
He noted that this year’s theme, “Sixty-three Years of Unity, Integration and Development, Let’s Celebrate Together,” reflects the continent’s enduring commitment to the goals of Agenda 2063. The AU Commission Chairperson highlighted Africa’s growing influence on the global stage, citing its permanent membership in the G20 as a significant step towards inclusive global economic decision-making.
Institutional Reforms
According to him, the African Union (AU) is also advancing institutional reforms aimed at building a more effective and responsive organisation capable of delivering on the aspirations of its people.
Youth Empowerment in Abuja
Meanwhile, African youths have been urged to take centre stage in driving the continent’s economic transformation and innovation growth as stakeholders mark the 2026 Africa Day in Abuja. The call was made yesterday at the Africa Day Conference and Symposium organised by the Pan-African African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission, which brought together policymakers, development experts, and youth leaders to review Africa’s progress under the Agenda 2063 blueprint.
Three-Day Programme
The event formed the concluding part of a three-day programme commemorating Africa Day, observed every May 25 to mark the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. This year’s theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” focused on linking basic infrastructure needs with long-term continental development.
Speakers’ Insights
Speakers at the symposium stressed that Africa’s future depends heavily on how quickly its young population can be empowered to innovate, trade, and build sustainable systems across sectors. Chairman of the Pan-African Continental Super-Marketplace, Dr Patrick Sule Ogboma, said Africa’s development vision under Agenda 2063, particularly the aspiration for an integrated and politically united continent, must be driven by practical platforms that connect people and markets.
African Continental Free Trade Area
He explained that the African Continental Free Trade Area is designed to boost intra-African trade, encourage industrialisation and create jobs, but insisted that young people must be at the heart of its implementation. According to him, the Pan-African Continental Super-Marketplace was created as a digital platform to connect African businesses, innovators, farmers, investors and consumers across borders.
