This archive report was first published on 13 November 2019.
On November 13, 2019, the African Union (AU) held a conference in Nairobi to discuss Africa's participation in the Expo 2020 Dubai, a global trade and investment platform.
The AU's 50-year blueprint, Agenda 2063, seeks to transform the continent politically and socioeconomically, making Africa the 'powerhouse of the future.'
As part of this vision, the AU established the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), which came into force in May 2019, creating the largest economic cooperation zone after the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The inclusion of the Saharawi Republic in AfCFTA was a significant step, despite its contested statehood and territory, demonstrating the AU's commitment to prioritizing socio-economic development in Africa.
However, challenges remain, including the need for Africa to develop its own capacity and strategy for trade and investment, rather than relying on external experts.
Africa's history of betrayal and exploitation by multinational corporations and domestic elites must also be addressed, with a focus on who owns Africa's wealth from the outset.
As the AU moves forward with Agenda 2063, it must address structural and technical challenges, including the definition of roles for member states, regional economic blocs, and the private and non-profit sectors.
Ms. Agnes Kagure, the founding director of the Agnes Kagure Foundation, emphasized the need for Africa to market itself as a 'salad bowl' and not a 'buffet menu,' pursuing the entire spectrum of human development rather than being selective.
