A review of the second ten-year implementation plan for Agenda 2063 (2024-2033)

This article is a logical continuation of last week’s article entitled „A review of the first ten-year implementation plan for Agenda 2065“, which unfortunately should have been: „A review of the first ten-year implementation plan for Agenda 2063“. ” Last week’s article was “ex post facto” or “after the fact” as the first ten years of Agenda 2063 ended in 2023, while this article is “ante facto” or “before the fact” as the second decade of the Agenda 2063 ended Implementation of Agenda 2063 – “The “Africa We Want” – began this year, 2024. The overarching vision of Agenda 2063 is “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and represents a dynamic force on the international stage.”

„The second ten years were christened ‚A Decade of Accelerated Development‘.“

The long-term continental blueprint is to be implemented through five ten-year implementation plans. The first ten years of Agenda 2063 became the “Decade of Convergence” as African countries were able to come together in the true spirit of Pan-Africanism and adopt a common position on critical issues relevant to the development of the continent. The second ten years were christened the “Decade of Accelerated Development.”

The framework for the implementation of the second ten-year plan is based on the seven goals of Agenda 2063: 1. A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development; 2: An integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of an African renaissance; 3: An Africa with good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law; 4. A peaceful and secure Africa; 5. An Africa with a strong cultural identity, shared heritage, values ​​and ethics; 6. An Africa whose development is people-led, based on the potential of Africa’s people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children; 7. Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global actor and partner.

From each of the seven aspirations or seven overarching goals of Agenda 2063, a „moonshot“ derives – an ambitious, transformative goal or proposed solution to a seemingly insurmountable problem – such as launching or firing a rocket to the moon, that is used to achieve the goals . Below are the seven moonshots: 1. Every AU member state achieves at least middle-income status; 2: Africa is more integrated and connected; 3: Public institutions are more responsive; 4: Africa resolves conflicts amicably; 5: African culture and values ​​are highlighted and promoted; 6: African citizens are more capable and productive; and 7: Africa is a strong and influential global actor and partner.

Agenda 2063 contains twenty objectives linked to the achievement of the seven goals: 1. A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all citizens; 2. A revolution of educated citizens and skills, underpinned by science, technology and innovation; 3. Healthy and well-nourished citizens; 4. Transformed economies; 5. Modern agriculture for greater productivity and production; 6. Blue/Oceanic Economy for accelerated economic growth; 7. Environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient economies and communities; 8. A united Africa (federal or confederal); 9. Continental financial and monetary institutions established and functioning; 10. World-class infrastructure across Africa; 11. Democratic values, practices, universal principles of human rights, justice and the rule of law are enshrined; 12. Capable institutions and transformational leadership in place; 13. Peace, security and stability are maintained; 14. A stable and peaceful Africa; 15. A fully functional and operational African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA); 16. Africa’s cultural renaissance is outstanding; 17. Full gender equality in all areas of life; 18. engaged and empowered youth and children; 19. Africa as an important partner in global affairs and peaceful coexistence; 20. Africa assumes full responsibility for financing its development goals.

In the first ten-year implementation plan, these twenty goals were linked to the Seven Goals and should be used to achieve them. In the second ten-year implementation plan, seven moonshots were drawn from the seven aspirations, which will also be used to achieve the twenty goals through a strategic objective linked to each of the twenty goals. “Furthermore, the plan highlights three key pathways that will guide implementation, namely AU continental frameworks, regional frameworks and national development plans.” The continental frameworks include the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP), the Program for Infrastructural Development in Africa (PIDA), the African Mining Vision (AMV), the Science Technology Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) and the Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT) and Accelerated Industrial Development for Africa (AIDA). These frameworks should be used to plan regional and national development plans.

The above essentially sets out the framework for the implementation of the second ten-year plan of Agenda 2063. Furthermore, there was significant alignment of the objectives of Agenda 2063 with the five operational priorities (High 5) of the African Development Bank (AfDB) related to the mobilization of Resources for achieving Agenda 2063; and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The African Union has reached a far-reaching agreement with the United Nations in this regard by merging the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the SDGs into the AU Agenda 2063. Both organizations are committed to the principle of “two agendas, one plan”. in whatever they do. A study by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) shows that achieving the AfDB’s High 5 will result in 90 percent of Agenda 2063 and the SDGs being achieved in Africa.

However, the second ten-year implementation plan of Agenda 2063 faces two major challenges: domestication at the regional and national levels and the costing of the plan to ensure that sufficient resources, mainly at the national level, are mobilized to achieve the objectives of the plan. These are the challenges facing Nigeria and other African nations.

Mr. Igbinoba is a Team Leader/CEO at ProServe Options Consulting, Lagos.