President William Ruto has called on African leaders to take decisive steps toward implementing Agenda 2063, emphasizing that Africa’s development hinges on strategic choices, commitment, and collective action.
Speaking at the 42nd Session of the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee, President Ruto urged nations to fully embrace the continental blueprint for economic transformation.
“The success of Agenda 2063 depends not on chance or hope, but on choice, resolve, and relentless implementation,” he stated. He challenged African governments to mobilize resources, enhance governance, and build strong partnerships to deliver tangible benefits for citizens.
What is Agenda 2063?
Agenda 2063 is Africa’s long-term strategic framework for socio-economic transformation. Launched by the African Union in 2013, it envisions a prosperous, integrated, and self-reliant continent by the year 2063. It focuses on key areas such as infrastructure, industrialization, agriculture, peace, governance, and youth empowerment.
To achieve this vision, African nations must move from policy discussions to concrete action, ensuring that commitments translate into real progress.
Strengthening AUDA-NEPAD for Effective Implementation
President Ruto emphasized the need for stronger national AUDA-NEPAD offices to ensure the seamless execution, monitoring, and reporting of Agenda 2063 initiatives. “I call upon the AUDA-NEPAD continental secretariat to enhance the capacity of national offices, ensuring that vision translates into impact and ambition materializes into achievement.”
He also stressed the importance of good governance in managing the African Union Development Fund, highlighting that transparency, efficiency, and accountability are critical to success. “Good intentions alone will not deliver results; only sound governance, strategic oversight, and collective responsibility will.”
Tackling Africa’s Infrastructure Financing Gap
One of the biggest obstacles to Africa’s economic growth is a lack of funding for major infrastructure projects. President Ruto pointed out that the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) and the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative (PICI) face a severe financing deficit, which slows regional integration, deters investment, and restricts trade. “This deficit is the barrier that slows our integration, deters investment, and stifles trade,” he warned.
To address this, he called for bold and innovative financing models, including increased domestic resource mobilization and strategic public-private partnerships. As an example of progress, President Ruto announced the completion of the first three berths of the Lamu Port, a key regional infrastructure project. “I invite you all to utilize this new gateway for your shipping needs and be part of this transformative journey.”
Investing in Agriculture, Climate Action, and Renewable Energy
Recognizing agriculture as the backbone of Africa’s economy, President Ruto urged nations that adopted the Kampala Declaration on Agriculture to move beyond commitments and take action. He emphasized the need for investment in climate-smart farming to enhance food security, sustainable energy solutions to power industries and rural communities, and innovative financing models to support small-scale farmers and agribusinesses.
He also called for greater prioritization of green, climate-resilient growth, urging leaders to embrace sustainable energy, climate adaptation, and ambitious mitigation measures. “AUDA-NEPAD’s role in supporting climate adaptation is indispensable, and we must forge strategic partnerships to combat this existential threat.”
On energy, the President highlighted the Energise Africa Initiative, a program designed to boost job creation, drive enterprise, and promote economic inclusivity—especially for the youth. “Growth that is not inclusive is not real growth, just as progress that benefits only a few is not the progress Africa needs.”
A Call for Unity and Leadership
The virtual meeting was chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and attended by several African heads of state, including Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (Mauritania), who also serves as AU Chairperson, Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia), Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti), Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), Mahamat Idris Deby (Chad), and Mohamed al-Manfi (Libya).
As Africa navigates a rapidly changing global landscape, President Ruto urged leaders to move beyond rhetoric and drive real change for their citizens. “The time for bold action is now. Africa’s future will be shaped not by what we say, but by what we do.”
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