26 May 2015

Botswana is one of the six countries that the African Union (AU) is consulting regarding the domestication process of Agenda 2063.

Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years. It seeks to accelerate the implementation of past and existing continental initiatives for growth and sustainable development.

Ambassador of Botswana in Ethiopia, also permanent representative to the African Union, Ms Mmamosadinyana Molefe said in a press briefing on May 22 that Botswana was chosen as one of the sample countries because coincidently Botswana was finalising the National Development Plan 11 (NDP11).

AU member states had been encouraged to domesticate the agenda into their development plans at national and regional levels, she said, adding that also, Botswana was a good candidate because she had had uninterrupted cycle of development plans since independence and that very few countries on the continent were like that.

“If we want to be successful in domesticating Agenda 2063, then Botswana is the ideal candidate to test because the planning system has been there since independence,” said the Agenda 2063 Strategic Planning Directorate technical team member, Dr Tijan Jallow.

Other five countries from five African regions are Namibia, Chad, Algeria, Rwanda and Ghana. Planning expert for Agenda 2063, Mr Retselisitswe Mabote said the African aspirations of Agenda 2063 were derived through a consultative process with African citizenry, being a prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Other aspirations are: an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and rule of law as well as an integrated continent, politically united, and based on the ideals of Pan Africanism and the vision of Africa’s renaissance and a peaceful and secure Africa.

Agenda 2063 also aspires for an Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics, as well as an Africa that is strong, united and an influential global player and partner and also with developments that are people driven.

Agenda 2063 was adopted at the 24th Ordinary Session of the Africa Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2015.

At that summit, heads of state agreed on a 10-year plan to ensure that noble ideas became a practical reality for Africans. According to Ambassador Molefe, the Agenda 2063 was decided in 2013 during OAU/AU 50TH anniversary celebrations.

During the period, heads of state reflect on how far the AU has gone with regards to achievements in the last 50 years since the inception of OAU, and what the founding fathers had initiated, progress made and challenges experienced and make way forward.

In this regard, the development was done by drawing lessons from the achievements to see how a transformative programme may come about.

Some of the past and current initiatives it builds on are The Abuja Treaty, Lagos Plan of Action, Programme for Infrastructural Development in Africa (PIDA), New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and A Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP). ENDS