Hubbry Logo
New Partnership for Africa's DevelopmentNew Partnership for Africa's DevelopmentMain
Open search
New Partnership for Africa's Development
Community hub
New Partnership for Africa's Development
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
New Partnership for Africa's Development
New Partnership for Africa's Development
New Partnership for Africa's Development
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

This article is part of a series on
Politics of the African Union
Institutions
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Advisory bodies
Financial bodies
Decentralised bodies
Related topics

The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is an economic development program of the African Union (AU). NEPAD was adopted by the AU at the 37th session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in July 2001 in Lusaka, Zambia. NEPAD aims to provide an overarching vision and policy framework for accelerating economic co-operation and integration among African countries.

Origins and function

[edit]

NEPAD is a merger of two plans for the economic regeneration of Africa: the Millennium Partnership for the African Recovery Programme (MAP), led by Former President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa in conjunction with Former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria; and the OMEGA Plan for Africa developed by President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal. At a summit in Sirte, Libya, March 2001, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) agreed that the MAP and OMEGA Plans should be merged.[1]

The UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) developed a "Compact for Africa’s Recovery" based on both these plans and on resolutions on Africa adopted by the United Nations Millennium Summit in September 2000, and submitted a merged document to the Conference of African Ministers of Finance and Ministers of Development and Planning in Algiers, May 2001.[2]

In July 2001, the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, adopted this document under the name of the New African Initiative (NAI). The leaders of G8 countries endorsed the plan on July 20, 2001; and other international development partners, including the European Union, China, and Japan also made public statements indicating their support for the program. The Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) for the project finalized the policy framework and named it the New Partnership for Africa's Development on 23 October 2001. NEPAD became a program of the African Union (AU) after it replaced the OAU in 2002, though it has its own secretariat based in South Africa to coordinate and implement its programmes.

NEPAD's four primary objectives are: to eradicate poverty, promote sustainable growth and development, integrate Africa in the world economy, and accelerate the empowerment of women. It is based on underlying principles of a commitment to good governance, democracy, human rights and conflict resolution; and the recognition that maintenance of these standards is fundamental to the creation of an environment conducive to investment and long-term economic growth. NEPAD seeks to attract increased investment, capital flows and funding, providing an African-owned framework for development as the foundation for partnership at regional and international levels.

In July 2002, the Durban AU summit supplemented NEPAD with a Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance. According to the Declaration, states participating in NEPAD ‘believe in just, honest, transparent, accountable and participatory government and probity in public life’. Accordingly, they ‘undertake to work with renewed determination to enforce’, among other things, the rule of law; the equality of all citizens before the law; individual and collective freedoms; the right to participate in free, credible and democratic political processes; and adherence to the separation of powers, including protection for the independence of the judiciary and the effectiveness of parliaments.

The Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance also committed participating states to establish an African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to promote adherence to and fulfilment of its commitments. The 2002 Durban summit adopted a document outlining the stages of peer review and the principles by which the APRM should operate; further core documents were adopted at a meeting in Abuja in March 2003, including a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed by governments wishing to undertake the peer review.

Current status

[edit]

Successive AU summits and meetings of the HSGIC have proposed the greater integration of NEPAD into the AU's structures and processes. In March 2007 there was a "brainstorming session" on NEPAD held in Algeria at which the future of NEPAD and its relationship with the AU was discussed by an ad hoc committee of heads of state. The committee again recommended the fuller integration of NEPAD with the AU.[3] In April 2008, a review summit of five heads of state—Presidents Mbeki of South Africa, Wade of Senegal, Bouteflika of Algeria, Mubarak of Egypt and Yar'Adua of Nigeria—met in Senegal with a mandate to consider the progress in implementing NEPAD and report to the next AU summit to be held in Egypt in July 2008.[4] In July 2018, the African Union (AU) Assembly approved the transformation of the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency into the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), establishing it as the AU's technical body to drive the implementation of Agenda 2063.[5]

Structure

[edit]
Development economics
Economies by region
Economic growth theories
Fields and subfields
Lists

AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Committee (HSGOC)

[edit]

A 33-Member State sub-committee of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government that provides the highest political leadership and strategic guidance on Agenda 2063 priority issues and reports its recommendations to the full Assembly for endorsement. The Chairperson of the AU Commission also participates in HSGOC Summits. The current (2025) Chairperson of the AUDA-NEPAD HSGOC is H.E. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

There is also a Steering Committee, comprising 20 AU member states, to oversee the development of policies, programs and projects -this committee reports to the HSGIC.

The NEPAD Secretariat, renamed the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA), was later integrated into the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and remains based in Midrand, South Africa. The NEPAD Secretariat is not responsible for the implementation of development programs itself, but works with the African Regional Economic Communities— the building blocks of the African Union.[6] The role of the NEPAD Secretariat is one of coordination and resource mobilisation.

Many individual African states have also established national NEPAD structures responsible for liaison with the continental initiatives on economic reform and development programs.

Chief Executive Officers

[edit]
No. Image Name Country Took office Left office
1 Wiseman Nkuhlu South Africa 2000 2005[7]
2 Firmino Mucavele Mozambique 2005 2008[8]
3 Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki Niger 2009[9] 2022[10]
4 Nardos Bekele-Thomas Ethiopia[11] 2022[12] Incumbent

Partners

[edit]

Programs

[edit]

The eight priority areas of NEPAD are: political, economic and corporate governance; agriculture; infrastructure; education; health; science and technology; market access and tourism; and environment.

During the first few years of its existence, the main task of the NEPAD Secretariat and key supporters was the popularisation of NEPAD's key principles, as well as the development of action plans for each of the sectoral priorities. NEPAD also worked to develop partnerships with international development finance institutions—including the World Bank, G8, European Commission, UNECA and others—and with the private sector.[13]

After this initial phase, more concrete programs were developed, including:

  • The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), aimed at assisting the launching of a 'green revolution' in Africa, based on a belief in the key role of agriculture in development. To monitor its progress, the Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System was created.[14]
  • The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), which comprises numerous trans-boundary infrastructure projects in the four sectors transport, energy, water and ICT, aimed at boosting intra-African trade and interconnecting the continent.
  • The NEPAD Science and Technology programme, including an emphasis on research in areas such as water science and energy.
  • The "e-schools programme", adopted by the HSGIC in 2003 as an initiative with the original goal of equipping all 600,000 primary and secondary schools in Africa with IT equipment and internet access by 2013, in partnership with several large IT companies. See NEPAD E-School program
  • The launch of a Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund (PAIDF) by the Public Investment Corporation of South Africa, to finance high priority cross-border infrastructure projects.
  • Capacity building for continental institutions, working with the African Capacity Building Foundation, the Southern Africa Trust, UNECA, the African Development Bank, and other development partners. One of NEPAD's priorities has been to strengthen the capacity of and linkages among the Regional Economic Communities.
  • NEPAD was involved with the Timbuktu Manuscripts Project although it is not entirely clear to what extent.

Criticism

[edit]

NEPAD was initially met with a great deal of scepticism from much of civil society in Africa as playing into the 'Washington Consensus' model of economic development. In July 2002, members of some 40 African social movements, trade unions, youth and women's organizations, NGOs, religious organizations and others endorsed the African Civil Society Declaration on NEPAD[15] rejecting NEPAD; a similar hostile view was taken by African scholars and activist intellectuals in the 2002 Accra Declaration on Africa's Development Challenges.[16]

Part of the problem in this rejection was that the process by which NEPAD was adopted was insufficiently participatory—civil society was almost totally excluded from the discussions by which it came to be adopted.[citation needed]

More recently, NEPAD has also been criticised by some of its initial backers, including notably Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, who accused NEPAD of wasting hundreds of millions of dollars and achieving nothing.[17] Like many other intergovernmental bodies, NEPAD suffers from slow decision-making,[18] and a relatively poorly resourced and often cumbersome implementing framework. The great lack of information about the day-to-day activities of the NEPAD secretariat—the website is notably uninformative—does not help its case.[19]

However, the program has also received some acceptance from those who were initially very critical, and, in general, has seen its status become less controversial as it becomes more established and its programs become more concrete. The aim of promoting greater regional integration and trade among African states is welcomed by many, even as the fundamental macroeconomic principles NEPAD endorses remain contested.[20]

See also

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

New Partnership for Africa's Development

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is a strategic socio-economic development framework initiated by African leaders from Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa, formally adopted at the 37th Summit of the Organization of African Unity in July 2001 and subsequently integrated into the African Union in 2002. Its core objectives encompass eradicating poverty, fostering sustainable growth and development, integrating Africa into the global economy, halting the continent's marginalization amid globalization, and accelerating the empowerment of women. NEPAD's Programme of Action, endorsed in June 2002, prioritizes sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, information technology, and human resource development to achieve targets like 7% annual GDP growth. Central to NEPAD is the promotion of via the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), which enables voluntary self-assessments and peer evaluations to enhance political stability, economic management, and socio-economic integration. The initiative seeks to attract foreign , reduce burdens, and expand while conditioning external partnerships on domestic reforms. Notable efforts include infrastructure projects under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) and support for . Despite these ambitions, empirical outcomes have been limited, with Africa's average GDP growth falling short of sustained 7% targets and rates remaining high in many nations, underscoring challenges in , political commitment, and institutional capacity. Criticisms highlight NEPAD's top-down, leader-centric approach, which has marginalized input and fostered perceptions of perpetuating external dependency rather than fostering self-reliant growth. In response to these shortcomings, NEPAD was restructured in into the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) to streamline operations and align with Agenda 2063.

Historical Development

Formation and Initial Launch (2001)

The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) emerged from the convergence of continent-wide efforts to establish an African-owned framework for economic renewal and integration, building on prior national and regional proposals. In 2000, South African President , Nigerian President , Algerian President , and Senegalese President collaborated to merge initiatives such as Senegal's Omega Plan—focused on and —and the New Africa Initiative, which emphasized political governance and economic cooperation among larger African economies. This synthesis addressed Africa's structural challenges, including dependency on external aid and weak intra-continental trade, by prioritizing and peer-reviewed governance commitments. At the 37th Ordinary Session of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in , , from July 9–11, 2001, the assembled leaders endorsed the New Africa Initiative as a unified strategic framework, later rebranded NEPAD to underscore its partnership ethos with global actors while maintaining African agency. The Declaration formalized NEPAD's core pillars—political stability, , and —aiming to eradicate through accelerated growth rates exceeding 7% annually via investments in , , and . This adoption marked a shift from donor-driven paradigms, introducing mechanisms like the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) for voluntary governance assessments among participating states. NEPAD's policy framework was finalized and officially launched on October 23, 2001, during a ministerial meeting in , , establishing the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSIC) chaired initially by Obasanjo, with Mbeki as vice-chair, to oversee execution. The launch emphasized attracting through improved policy environments, targeting sectors like and to foster regional economic corridors, while committing to anti-corruption and democratic consolidation as preconditions for external partnerships. Early endorsements from the and highlighted NEPAD's potential, though implementation hinged on domestic political will amid diverse national capacities across Africa's 54 states.

Adoption and Early Institutionalization (2002–2010)

Following its initial endorsement by the Organisation of African Unity in July 2001, NEPAD was formally ratified by the African Union at its inaugural Assembly in Durban, South Africa, on 9 July 2002, establishing it as the principal socioeconomic development framework for the continent. This adoption occurred concurrently with the AU's formation, supplanting the OAU, and positioned NEPAD to coordinate priority programs across African states while emphasizing self-reliance and good governance. Institutional structures were rapidly formalized to support implementation. The Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC), initially formed in 2001 with 20 members—including the five originating countries (, , , , and ) plus 15 elected states—continued to provide strategic oversight, reporting annually to AU summits. A Steering Committee, composed of personal representatives from HSGIC members, handled operational coordination. The NEPAD Secretariat, headquartered in , South Africa, was established to manage day-to-day activities, facilitating program execution and partnerships. Key early initiatives underscored institutionalization efforts. In March 2003, the HSGIC launched the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in , , as a voluntary tool to assess governance standards and foster political stability, with initial countries like acceding shortly thereafter. By July 2003, the AU Assembly mandated progressive integration of NEPAD into its structures, directing the AU Commission and NEPAD Secretariat to harmonize agendas. This period also saw the development of sector-specific programs, such as consortia, though implementation faced challenges including limited and uneven political commitment across member states. From 2005 onward, leadership transitions and expanded partnerships advanced operational capacity. The Secretariat coordinated engagements with nations, culminating in the 2002 G8 Africa Action Plan endorsing NEPAD priorities. By 2009, amid pushes for deeper AU alignment, Ibrahim Assane Mayaki was appointed CEO, setting the stage for the 2010 transformation of the Secretariat into the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency as an autonomous AU technical body. These developments solidified NEPAD's role, despite critiques of its top-down approach and reliance on external aid.

Evolution into AUDA-NEPAD (2010–2018)

In February 2010, the 14th Ordinary Session of the Assembly in , , adopted Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.283(XIV), approving the full integration of NEPAD into the AU's structures and processes. This decision transformed the NEPAD Secretariat, previously an autonomous body, into the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency), headquartered in , , to serve as the technical arm for coordinating continental development initiatives. The Agency's establishment allocated an initial budget of US$3,020,854 from the AU to support the transition and operations. From 2010 to 2018, the NEPAD Agency operated under the oversight of the AU Assembly, the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC), and a Steering Committee comprising representatives from 20 AU member states, including the five initiating countries (, , , , and ) and 15 elected from . Its mandate emphasized facilitating the implementation of priority programs in areas such as , , and , while mobilizing resources and fostering partnerships with entities like the , United Nations agencies, and . The Agency aligned its efforts with emerging AU frameworks, including preparations for , by prioritizing high-impact projects and knowledge-sharing mechanisms to address development gaps. Governance included observer status for the African Peer Review Mechanism, , and international partners, ensuring coordinated execution of AU priorities. The period culminated in institutional reforms driven by the need to streamline AU operations and enhance development delivery. In July 2018, at the 31st Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in , , leaders approved Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.691(XXXI), transforming the NEPAD Agency into the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) as the AU's dedicated technical executive agency. This evolution, part of broader AU reforms recommended in President Paul Kagame's 2018 report on institutional efficiency, aimed to consolidate NEPAD's role in accelerating implementation, improving operational autonomy, and boosting Africa's self-reliant development amid persistent challenges like and deficits. The statute for AUDA-NEPAD was subsequently developed for adoption in early , marking a shift toward greater integration and accountability within the AU architecture.

Recent Realignments and Agenda 2063 Integration (2019–Present)

In July 2019, the 's Executive Council officially transformed the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency into the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), establishing it as the AU's first dedicated development agency with enhanced autonomy and a mandate to operationalize continental priorities. This structural realignment, building on approvals from the 2018 AU Summit, shifted governance from the former Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee—disbanded in 2018—to streamlined oversight under the AU Assembly and Executive Council, enabling more agile implementation of development initiatives. AUDA-NEPAD's integration with intensified post-2019, positioning it as the primary implementing arm for the AU's 50-year blueprint, with responsibilities spanning knowledge generation, resource mobilization, and high-impact projects in development, industrialization, , and . The agency coordinates biennial progress reports alongside the AU Commission, including the inaugural continental assessment covering 31 of 55 member states and subsequent 2020 and 2022 evaluations tracking advancements in socio-economic integration. This alignment emphasized domestication of goals at national levels, alongside mechanisms for African-led funding and monitoring to address implementation gaps. The 2020–2023 Strategic Plan marked a pivotal realignment, responding to global mega-trends such as the 2019 ratification, Africa's youthful demographics, and infrastructure deficits requiring $130–170 billion in annual financing—far exceeding the $100 billion committed that year. Prioritizing economic competitiveness, technologies, and engagement, the plan directly supported Agenda 2063's first ten-year phase (2014–2023) by fostering regional value chains and addressing low intra-African levels. From 2024 onward, AUDA-NEPAD realigned its forthcoming 2024–2028 strategy to the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (2024–2033) of , which introduces seven "moonshot" ambitions—including achieving middle-income status for all member states, deeper continental connectivity, responsive public institutions, and empowered citizenries—to accelerate progress toward resilience and . Tools like the Digital Platform and Dashboard, managed by AUDA-NEPAD, enable real-time data analytics for evidence-based policymaking, with 38 member states contributing to 2021 reporting cycles. These efforts underscore a causal shift toward catalytic interventions in , value promotion, and global positioning, though empirical progress varies, with reported advancements in (74%) and (55%) tempered by persistent financing and challenges.

Mandate and Core Objectives

Eradication of Poverty and Sustainable Growth

The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) designates the eradication of as one of its foundational objectives, explicitly linked to fostering sustainable capable of generating and raising incomes across African nations. In its 2001 framework document, NEPAD targets halving the proportion of the population living in —defined as less than US$1 per day—by 2015, aligning with the (MDGs). At the time, roughly 340 million Africans, comprising half the continent's population, subsisted below this threshold, alongside elevated rates of 140 per 1,000 live births and an average of 54 years. To underpin , NEPAD emphasizes achieving and maintaining an annual GDP growth rate of 7 percent over 15 years, predicated on causal mechanisms such as investment, enhancement, agricultural productivity gains, and production diversification to shift from commodity dependence toward value-added sectors. Strategies include mobilizing US$64 billion in annual s—equivalent to 12 percent of Africa's GDP—through , increased (ODA) to 0.7 percent of donor countries' gross national product, and private capital inflows via public-private partnerships and risk mitigation for investors. reforms, including transparency, measures, and political stability, are positioned as prerequisites to attract such resources and ensure pro-poor growth outcomes. Sector-specific interventions target root causes of poverty, such as by 2015, reducing by two-thirds and maternal mortality by three-quarters, and boosting health expenditures by US$10 billion annually; in , priorities encompass smallholder farmer support, expansion, and research to combat food insecurity affecting vulnerable populations. and market access improvements, including stabilization of trade agreements like the (AGOA), aim to enhance export competitiveness and domestic revenue for social spending. Under its evolution into the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), these objectives integrate with and the (SDGs), prioritizing welfare upliftment, resilient food systems, energy access, and climate adaptation to sustain long-term growth amid environmental vulnerabilities. Strategic themes extend to gender empowerment and human development, recognizing women's roles in and informal economies as levers for inclusive poverty alleviation. Empirical outcomes reveal partial progress in economic expansion—Africa's GDP growth averaged around 3.4 percent in the late —but persistent structural barriers, including jobless growth, inequality, and deficits, have constrained eradication, with little net decline in lived experiences despite official metrics. By the early , extreme affected over 400 million Africans, exacerbated by external shocks like the , underscoring the need for intensified domestic resource mobilization and policy execution beyond aspirational targets.

Economic Integration and Global Participation

The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), now operationalized through the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), prioritizes economic integration by leveraging (RECs) as foundational structures for continental programs. The eight RECs recognized by the African Union—such as the (EAC), (SADC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)—facilitate harmonized policies on trade, infrastructure, and investment to reduce fragmentation and boost intra-regional flows. AUDA-NEPAD provides to these bodies, including capacity-building for policy alignment and project implementation, as seen in initiatives like the Animal Medicine Harmonization (AMRH) program rolled out across five RECs by 2024 to standardize veterinary regulations and enhance agricultural trade. A cornerstone of NEPAD's integration efforts is its advocacy for the (AfCFTA), launched via the agreement signed by 44 member states in March 2018 and entering provisional implementation in 2019. AfCFTA aims to eliminate tariffs on 90% of goods traded intra-continentally over a transitional period, potentially increasing 's intra-regional trade share from 18% in 2018 to over 50% by 2040, according to projections. AUDA-NEPAD supports AfCFTA rollout through prioritization under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in (PIDA), which targets cross-border corridors to cut transport costs by up to 30% and stimulate demand for regional exports, particularly in food and manufactured goods. This framework addresses barriers like non-tariff measures and regulatory divergences, with AUDA-NEPAD facilitating standardization efforts, such as impact assessments for AfCFTA protocols on investment and digital trade adopted in 2023. On global participation, NEPAD emphasizes positioning Africa as a cohesive player in governance to counter asymmetric dependencies and enhance bargaining power. It promotes private sector-led growth and policy coherence for engaging multilateral forums, including the (WTO), where African states seek reforms to agricultural subsidies and special treatment provisions. AUDA-NEPAD bolsters this through initiatives strengthening 's collective voice, such as supporting the African Union's permanent membership granted in 2023, which amplifies advocacy for equitable global financial flows and trade rules amid rising . Complementary efforts include harmonizing Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the to minimize risks, while fostering South-South partnerships to diversify export markets beyond traditional commodities. These strategies aim to elevate 's global economic contribution, projected to rise from under 3% of world trade in 2020 toward sustainable integration driven by value-added exports.

Empowerment and Capacity Building

The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), now integrated into the Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), identifies as essential for empowering African institutions and citizens to achieve self-reliant development. This objective focuses on enhancing , institutional frameworks, and knowledge systems to address systemic weaknesses in , implementation, and technical expertise. AUDA-NEPAD's Capacity Development Programme specifically targets these areas by providing training, advisory services, and strategic tools to African governments, regional bodies, and organizations, guided by continent-wide frameworks that emphasize evidence-based interventions over external dependency. Central to these efforts is Africa's Capacity Development Strategic Framework (CDSF), which outlines six cornerstones: transformative , citizen , utilization of Africa's potential, skills and resources, alongside institutional strengthening and . The framework prioritizes empowering local actors through skills transfer and , aiming to foster endogenous growth rather than perpetual aid reliance. For instance, citizen initiatives under CDSF promote participatory and community-level decision-making, enabling populations to drive and sustainable . Targeted programs exemplify this mandate, such as the African Biosafety Network of Expertise (ABNE), launched to build regulatory capacities for adoption across 19 member states as of 2023. ABNE delivers training in and management, as demonstrated by a 2024 workshop in that equipped regulators with tools for evidence-based decision-making on , thereby enhancing without compromising environmental standards. Similarly, socio-economic empowerment drives the Comprehensive Youth and Women Agenda (COYWA), initiated in 2025, which bolsters entrepreneurship and through capacity-building modules for over 10,000 participants annually, focusing on scalable business skills in underserved regions. Women's empowerment receives dedicated attention via workshops and cooperatives training, such as the April 2024 capacity-building event for African smallholder associations, which trained participants in organizational management and strategies to increase by up to 30% in pilot groups. These initiatives align with NEPAD's foundational emphasis on gender-inclusive , as articulated in its 2001 framework, which links women's skills enhancement to broader eradication goals. Empirical evaluations, including those from AUDA-NEPAD's internal assessments, indicate improved institutional performance metrics, such as execution rates rising 15-20% in beneficiary countries post-training, though challenges persist in scaling amid funding constraints.

Organizational Structure

Governance and Oversight Mechanisms

The governance of AUDA-NEPAD is anchored in the Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC), which provides strategic leadership, sets policies, priorities, and action programs. Comprising approximately 20 Heads of State and Government elected across the African Union's five regions, the HSGOC ensures alignment with continental development agendas, including Agenda 2063. The committee's chairperson, currently Egypt's President since February 2023, reports directly to the AU Assembly on AUDA-NEPAD's progress and challenges, facilitating high-level oversight and decision-making. An intermediary Steering Committee operates between the HSGOC and the AUDA-NEPAD Agency, handling operational oversight of programs and projects, including and implementation monitoring. It includes two representatives each from the five NEPAD initiating countries (, , , , ) and one from each of 15 AU member states elected regionally on a rotating basis, with observers from entities such as the AU Commission, , , and UN agencies. This structure enforces one-vote-per-member-state rules and promotes accountability through regular reviews. Day-to-day leadership and execution fall under the (CEO), who manages the agency's technical and advisory functions, including coordination, , knowledge generation, and monitoring/evaluation across eleven core areas. Established as the AU's development agency in , AUDA-NEPAD integrates oversight with the AU's broader structures, emphasizing equitable delivery models linking the AU, , and member states to track outcomes and ensure programmatic excellence.

Leadership and Operational Bodies

The AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) serves as the principal policy-making and oversight body, comprising personal representatives of selected African heads of state and , with meetings convened approximately four times annually to provide strategic direction and endorse priorities aligned with Agenda 2063. The committee ensures alignment with (AU) objectives, drawing representation from across the continent's regions, including founding NEPAD nations such as , , , , and [South Africa](/page/South Africa). As of 2025, the chairperson is H.E. , President of the Arab Republic of , who assumed the role following rotations among member states to guide high-level decisions on development initiatives. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) heads the executive arm, managing daily operations, program implementation, and coordination with AU organs, regional economic communities, and member states. H.E. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, appointed in 2022 as the first woman in the role, oversees technical support, resource mobilization, and innovation incubation across priority sectors like agriculture and infrastructure. The CEO reports to the HSGOC and collaborates with the AU Commission chairperson, currently H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, for policy integration. Supporting governance, the Steering Committee advises on operational execution and comprises up to 20 members, including regional representatives and experts, co-chaired as of 2025 by H.E. Ambassador Ashraf Swelam of and H.E. Dr. Tah Ahmed Meouloud of . Operationally, AUDA-NEPAD's structure features specialized directorates, such as Operations and , which handle program evaluation, technical backstopping, and country-level mechanisms like Africa Teams—multidisciplinary units integrating government officials, partners, and AUDA-NEPAD staff for localized project delivery and monitoring. This framework, approved under AU reforms in 2018, emphasizes efficiency in executing continental projects while fostering partnerships for sustainable outcomes.

Partnerships with External Stakeholders

AUDA-NEPAD has forged strategic partnerships with international financial institutions to mobilize resources for infrastructure and development projects, including collaborations with the (AfDB) and Africa50 to establish the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa, launched on February 18, 2022, aimed at scaling up sustainable investments across the continent. These ties extend to engagements with the World Bank and agencies, facilitating technical assistance and funding aligned with NEPAD's foundational goals of and . Bilateral partnerships with major economies have been central, particularly through the (now ) Africa Action Plan adopted in 2002, which committed to supporting NEPAD's priorities in , health, and education via enhanced aid coordination and mechanisms. The has provided programmatic support, including joint initiatives on trade and industrialization, with AUDA-NEPAD prioritizing stakeholder dialogues in and to align European investments with African regional value chains as of 2025. Similarly, has contributed financial and infrastructural backing, emphasizing NEPAD's role in trilateral cooperation frameworks involving Europe, as noted in policy analyses from the early onward. Private sector and academic collaborations further bolster implementation, such as the 2025 partnership with to develop health financing investment cases and training programs for African institutions. AUDA-NEPAD also coordinates with entities like the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) for harmonizing manufacturing standards, signed to enhance regulatory capacity in pharmaceuticals. These external ties are guided by AU-wide criteria for technical partnerships, emphasizing mutual accountability and alignment with , though implementation often hinges on African ownership to mitigate donor-driven agendas.

Key Programs and Initiatives

Infrastructure and Regional Integration Projects

The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), a flagship initiative under AUDA-NEPAD, coordinates cross-border infrastructure to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration across transport, energy, information and communication technology (ICT), and transboundary water sectors. Adopted in 2012 by African Union member states, PIDA identifies 51 priority projects in its Action Plan to address infrastructure deficits estimated at $130-170 billion annually, which hinder continental growth and trade. Key projects include the Douala-Bangui-Ndjamena Corridor, a road-rail initiative linking , , and to facilitate faster goods movement and regional trade. In energy, PIDA supports interconnections like the expansions, aiming for universal access targets such as 60% continental energy coverage by 2040. Transport efforts encompass multimodal corridors, with 16 priority projects endorsed by African heads of state in 2023 for accelerated feasibility studies and funding. ICT components focus on expansion to meet demand for affordable networks, while water projects emphasize management for and . Implementation is bolstered by mechanisms like the NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF), hosted by the , which has prepared over 100 regional projects since 2008 through technical assistance and donor funding, including a €18.4 million German contribution in March 2025. The Africa50 infrastructure fund, involving 20 African countries and the AfDB, channels investments into PIDA priorities to crowd in private capital. These efforts have contributed to a 16% rise in intra-African exports via improved road and rail links over the past decade, though full realization depends on sustained financing and policy harmonization. PIDA's integration with emphasizes resilient, sustainable infrastructure, as highlighted in the 2024 PIDA Week in , where stakeholders advanced project pipelines amid challenges like funding gaps and geopolitical disruptions. The African Infrastructure Database supports monitoring, providing data on bankable projects across 55 countries to attract investors and track progress toward seamless continental markets.

Agriculture, Food Security, and Natural Resources

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), established in 2003 as a flagship NEPAD initiative, targets agriculture-led growth to combat poverty and hunger by committing governments to allocate at least 10% of national budgets to the sector and achieve 6% annual agricultural GDP growth, as outlined in the Maputo Declaration. CAADP operates through four pillars: sustainable land and water management to expand arable areas and improve productivity; robust markets and value chains to enhance farmer incomes; resilient food supply systems addressing nutrition and trade; and advancements in science, technology, and innovation for seeds, irrigation, and mechanization. National medium-term investment plans, developed with stakeholder input, guide implementation, supported by a peer review mechanism and biennial reporting to monitor commitments like the Malabo Declaration's 2014 goals for 25% reduction in stunting and doubled smallholder productivity by 2025. In , CAADP integrates nutrition-sensitive , emphasizing smallholder empowerment and value-chain development to reach 25 million farmers with sustainable practices by 2025, while addressing vulnerabilities like climate variability through resilient cropping and post-harvest loss reduction. The 2025 Declaration launched a 2026-2035 strategy and , projecting a 45% increase in output by 2035 via digital technologies, for smallholders, and climate-resilient practices, building on insights from over a decade of CAADP implementation that improved transparency despite uneven budget adherence across countries. NEPAD's natural resources governance complements these efforts by promoting sustainable extraction and , including programs for climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and equitable benefit-sharing from minerals, forests, and fisheries to underpin agricultural viability. The agency's Environment, , and Natural Resource Management unit facilitates regional cooperation on issues like reversal and development, with initiatives such as capacity-building workshops on resource governance to maximize continental development gains while mitigating ecological risks. These components link to food systems, aiming to reduce dependency on imports and enhance resilience against shocks like droughts, though progress varies by national execution and external funding.

Industrialization and Human Capital Development

AUDA-NEPAD's industrialization efforts center on the Industrialization, , and (ISTI) program, one of its four core investment initiatives, which targets , value addition, and technological advancement to drive economic transformation across . This includes promoting (ISI) to enhance local production competitiveness and reduce reliance on imports, alongside support for the (AfCFTA), the Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT) strategy, and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) to foster intra-continental trade and industrial growth. Additionally, AUDA-NEPAD aligns with the Accelerated Industrial Development for (AIDA) framework, providing tools such as country impact assessment guides to evaluate industrial policies, enabling environments, and sector-specific progress in areas like agro-processing and resource beneficiation. In parallel, human capital development under AUDA-NEPAD emphasizes building skilled workforces through its and Institutions Development directorate, which facilitates training, job creation, and institutional capacity strengthening in with governments, academia, private sectors, and . Key programs include the AKILI AI initiative's MSME UpSkill Lab, launched to prepare micro, small, and medium enterprises for investment readiness via digital skills enhancement, and broader efforts in , women's economic participation, , and occupational health to align with industrial demands. These initiatives support national development plans prioritizing skills for sectors like and , with a focus on to address Africa's low R&D investment—often below 1% of GDP in most countries—and limited human capital metrics in innovation outputs. The linkage between industrialization and in AUDA-NEPAD's framework underscores causal priorities: skilled labor is essential for sustaining industrial gains, as evidenced by programs targeting priority medical products roadmaps to localize production of and essentials, thereby creating jobs and technical expertise. However, empirical outcomes remain constrained by implementation gaps, with NEPAD's broader human development impacts showing mixed results in economic indicators like job creation rates, where continental industrial contributions hover below 15% of GDP despite targeted interventions. AUDA-NEPAD's Centres of Excellence further integrate these areas by bolstering institutional capacities for policy execution, though verifiable quantification of scaled workforce improvements tied directly to these programs is limited in available assessments.

Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resilience

AUDA-NEPAD addresses environmental sustainability by mainstreaming into sectors like , , and natural resources, aiming to build adaptive capacities at national and regional levels. This includes strategies for adapting to variability, conserving ecosystems, and promoting sustainable land management to counter and habitat loss. The NEPAD Climate Change Fund has supported 18 adaptation projects across 18 African countries, focusing on agricultural resilience, protection, and benefit-sharing mechanisms from genetic resources. These initiatives target vulnerability reduction through capacity-building for local and regional actors, though detailed impact metrics on emission reductions or yield improvements are not comprehensively reported. In December 2015, NEPAD launched the Initiative for the Resilience and Restoration of African Landscapes under the African Landscapes Action Plan, emphasizing forest and ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, , and rangeland management. Partnering with the and , it aligns with the AFR100 commitment to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, seeking to enhance , water access, green jobs, and overall economic adaptation to climate stressors. Recent efforts include the November 2024 launch at COP29 of a program integrating policies into Africa's systems, providing technical advisory services, pipelines, and partnerships to bolster agri- infrastructure and trade under the . This initiative secured €10 million from via the Technical Cooperation Collaborative to advance climate-smart farming, clean energy for value chains, and resilience for populations facing undernutrition. AUDA-NEPAD also advances resilient through knowledge-sharing on climate-proof investments and collaborates via a 2024 memorandum with the Global Center on Adaptation for joint advocacy and capacity-building events. Complementary programs, such as the Gender Climate Change and Support Program, deliver training on climate-smart practices to integrate considerations into resilience efforts.

Empirical Achievements and Impacts

Quantifiable Outcomes in Growth and Integration

The Programme for Infrastructure Development in (PIDA), a initiative under AUDA-NEPAD, has facilitated measurable advances in regional connectivity and economic activity through prioritized cross-border projects in , , water, and ICT sectors. By the end of 2020, PIDA's first 10-year implementation phase secured USD 82 billion in investment commitments, surpassing the initial target by USD 14 billion, with funding sourced from African Union member states (USD 34.35 billion), infrastructure consortia (USD 19.67 billion), (USD 19.42 billion), the (USD 2.28 billion), and other contributors (USD 5.88 billion). These investments supported the completion or advancement of projects that enhanced intra-African trade, with exports within the continent rising to 16% of total African trade, attributed to improvements in and rail networks. Infrastructure gains have directly bolstered integration and productivity. Nearly 30 million people obtained access to , elevating continental access rates to approximately 44%, while ICT broadband penetration surpassed 25%, exceeding PIDA's 10% target and enabling better digital economic linkages. outcomes included 112,900 direct jobs from construction and operations, alongside 49,400 indirect jobs, contributing to localized growth in project-affected regions. In 2023, AUDA-NEPAD mobilized an additional USD 175 million for 22 high-impact PIDA projects, further accelerating integration efforts aligned with the (AfCFTA).
Financing SourceAmount (USD Billion)
AU Member States34.35
Infrastructure Consortia Africa (ICA) Members19.67
China19.42
Private Sector2.28
Other Sources5.88
Total82
Despite these metrics, direct causal links to broader GDP acceleration remain challenging to isolate amid confounding factors like commodity price fluctuations and varying national policies; however, enhanced infrastructure has mitigated barriers to trade and investment, with official assessments linking PIDA outcomes to reduced logistical costs and expanded market access. AUDA-NEPAD's support for 49 member states in tracking Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) goals has also indirectly sustained agricultural productivity, a key driver of rural integration and GDP contributions.

Successful Case Studies and Peer Review Mechanism

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), established in 2003 as a of NEPAD to foster , operates as a voluntary and peer evaluation process covering political, economic, corporate, and socio-economic domains. By February 2023, 43 member states had acceded to the APRM, with 26 countries completing their first-generation reviews, six undertaking second-generation reviews, and 12 conducting targeted sectoral reviews by September 2025. These reviews culminate in National Programmes of Action (NPOAs) that recommend reforms, such as strengthening institutions and economic management, with early assessments identifying 107 practices across the first 13 reviews, including 42 best practices in and political . APRM's impact has manifested in policy adjustments and ; for instance, targeted reviews in since 2023 have emphasized youth participation, while a 2023 mission to highlighted advancements in economic and anti-corruption measures. In and , APRM processes contributed to post-review enhancements in electoral frameworks and public , though implementation varies due to domestic political will. Overall, the mechanism has promoted mutual accountability, with 17 countries completing the full first-cycle process by 2013, influencing continental norms under Agenda 2063. In , the North-South Corridor under NEPAD's Programme for Infrastructure Development in (PIDA) exemplifies success, linking eight ports across , , , , , , , and the Democratic Republic of Congo since its prioritization in 2012. This multimodal project has reduced transport times by up to 60% between southern and northern , facilitating an estimated $25 billion in additional annual by easing border delays and logistics costs for landlocked economies. It has also generated over 129,000 secondary jobs through associated economic activities, enhancing intra- trade volumes in commodities like minerals and . Agricultural initiatives via the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), a NEPAD flagship since 2003, have driven verifiable growth in select adhering to its 6% annual sectoral GDP target and 10% budget allocation goal. In , CAADP-aligned investments post-2007 yielded average agricultural growth exceeding 6% annually through 2015, supported by policy reforms in and systems; similarly achieved around 8% growth rates in targeted periods via subsidies and extension services. Ghana's compact under CAADP mobilized private investments, contributing to a rise from 4-5% continental average growth to localized gains in productivity for staples like . By 2022, 11 met the 6% growth threshold, with CAADP facilitating over $50 billion in pledges for resilient farming. NEPAD's promotion of home-grown school feeding programs provides another empirical success, particularly in , where the initiative, supported since 2013, covers all 768 primary and 242 secondary schools universally, incorporating local of eggs, fruits, , and to boost and farmer incomes. Evaluations by the Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis confirmed nutritional improvements and market linkages for smallholders, with the program serving as a model replicated in four other countries, enhancing amid climate challenges. These cases underscore NEPAD's role in scaling evidence-based interventions, though broader efficacy depends on sustained national execution.

Contributions to Continental and Global Goals

AUDA-NEPAD coordinates and executes priority regional and continental projects to promote integration, directly supporting 's aspirations for a prosperous, integrated driven by its own citizens. Its strategic priorities, including , food systems, energy access, and , align with 's framework for shared values, unity, and long-term development planning. Through domestication efforts, partnerships, financing mobilization, and monitoring mechanisms, AUDA-NEPAD facilitates member states' implementation of goals, such as expanding youth income opportunities via jobs and entrepreneurship. In advancing continental goals, AUDA-NEPAD emphasizes coordination of flagship programs that address underdevelopment and enhance cooperation among African states, contributing to and the . For instance, its work on and has laid groundwork for reduced barriers and economic , as evidenced in briefings to bodies like the on integration progress as of March 2023. These efforts operationalize Agenda 2063's vision of a united , with AUDA-NEPAD's annual reporting underscoring its role in integrated planning and accountability. On global fronts, AUDA-NEPAD's initiatives systematically target UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), and SDG 13 (climate action), by deploying programs in agriculture, human capital, and environmental sustainability. Alignment is evident in its promotion of sustainable practices, such as life economies that redefine prosperity in harmony with planetary limits, as outlined in recent frameworks for economic transformation. NEPAD's foundational objectives—poverty eradication, sustainable paths, and halting marginalization—mirror SDG pillars, with progress tracked through consultations and reviews integrating African priorities into global agendas. This includes partnerships like the 2024 MoU with the UN Economic Commission for Africa to deepen collaboration on sustainable development metrics. By bridging continental and global frameworks, AUDA-NEPAD enhances Africa's voice in international forums, such as G20 engagements, ensuring SDG implementation reflects regional realities like energy and food system paradoxes. Its role in AI regulation and adoption further supports SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure) while advancing Agenda 2063's innovation goals. Overall, these contributions foster measurable progress toward self-reliant development, though outcomes depend on sustained member state commitment and resource flows.

Criticisms and Implementation Challenges

Despite its emphasis on as a prerequisite for development, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) has encountered substantial shortcomings in addressing systemic and weak institutional frameworks, primarily through the African Mechanism (APRM) launched in 2003. The APRM, intended to foster and for reforms in political, economic, and , has suffered from inadequate enforcement, with only voluntary participation and no binding sanctions limiting its impact on curbing graft. Reviews of participating countries, numbering around 20 by the mid-2000s, revealed persistent deficiencies in control and institutional efficacy, yet these findings rarely translated into sustained policy changes due to political resistance and resource constraints. A core flaw lies in the APRM's lack of an effective follow-up system to track recommendation implementation, allowing governments to sidestep without repercussions, as highlighted in evaluations of early adopters like , , and where anti-corruption pledges stalled amid . Limited involvement of and technical hurdles, including funding shortfalls, have further eroded its credibility, resulting in delayed or superficial reviews that fail to dismantle entrenched networks prevalent in many African states. For instance, in cases like Angola's oil sector dealings, NEPAD frameworks have avoided robust scrutiny of foreign-linked , prioritizing diplomatic harmony over rigorous oversight. Internal governance lapses within NEPAD's operational arm, the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), exemplify broader implementation failures; in August 2024, staff protested alleged , irregularities, and mismanagement under CEO Nardos Bekele-Thomas, demanding her removal and highlighting opacity in that undermines the initiative's mandate. These issues reflect NEPAD's dependence on member states' political will, where high-level commitments to standards clash with on-the-ground realities of , as NEPAD's tools remain hampered by the very prevalence of graft they aim to eradicate. Historical precedents, such as a 2004 implicating a senior NEPAD adviser in , further illustrate how organizational vulnerabilities perpetuate distrust in the framework's ability to self-regulate.

Dependency on Foreign Aid and Elite-Driven Approach

Critics of NEPAD argue that its funding model perpetuates Africa's dependency on foreign aid rather than promoting genuine , as a substantial share of resources derives from international donors with conditional strings attached. For example, analysis of NEPAD's financial inflows during its early operational phase revealed that 54.3% of the $84.7 million received was donor-originated and earmarked specifically for programs, limiting flexibility and exposing the initiative to fluctuations in external commitments. This reliance mirrors broader patterns, where donors funded approximately 75% of the AU's operating budget by the late , often tying aid to of donor-country , which critics contend distorts local priorities and sustains debt cycles without building domestic revenue capacities. Such dependency is viewed as counterproductive to NEPAD's stated goals of economic sovereignty, as foreign financing frequently supports short-term projects over structural reforms, echoing historical aid failures where inflows failed to catalyze sustained growth or institutional accountability. Empirical assessments highlight that NEPAD's investment financing strategies inadequately address Africa's internal resource mobilization, instead awkwardly deferring to donor pipelines that have dwindled amid global shifts, thereby constraining implementation of flagship infrastructure and agriculture programs. Proponents occasionally defend this as a pragmatic bridge to development, yet detractors, drawing on causal analyses of aid dynamics, assert it erodes incentives for African governments to prioritize fiscal discipline and private-sector-led growth, as external inflows mask underlying governance deficits. Complementing aid dependency concerns is NEPAD's elite-driven formulation and execution, which originated as a top-down initiative spearheaded by a handful of African heads of state—primarily from South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, and Senegal—without substantive input from civil society or grassroots stakeholders. This approach has been faulted for fostering insufficient popular ownership, as decision-making remains confined to political elites, sidelining broader societal buy-in essential for sustainable implementation. Critics, including civil society organizations, contend that this insularity contributes to slow progress, as elite priorities—often aligned with donor agendas—override localized needs, exemplified by limited integration of community feedback in peer review mechanisms or project design. Furthermore, the absence of robust participatory structures risks entrenching power imbalances, where elite consensus substitutes for accountable governance, potentially amplifying corruption vulnerabilities rather than mitigating them through transparent, inclusive processes. In essence, this model is seen as reflecting the political interests of initiating regimes over continent-wide imperatives, undermining NEPAD's transformative potential by decoupling policy from the very populations it aims to uplift.

Ideological Critiques and Failure to Address Root Causes

Critics aligned with and anti- perspectives have argued that NEPAD's ideological foundation, rooted in neoliberal principles such as , , and integration into global markets, fails to challenge the exploitative structures of international that perpetuate Africa's . By framing continental challenges as mere "exclusion" from rather than outcomes of historical , unequal trade terms, and structural adjustment-induced , NEPAD is seen as endorsing policies akin to the , which have historically deepened inequality and dependency without fostering . These critiques, often from scholars invoking thinkers like and , posit that true resolution requires de-linking from asymmetrical global relations rather than seeking greater inclusion, a stance NEPAD rejects in favor of elite-aligned reforms. NEPAD's approach has been faulted for neglecting root causes embedded in domestic institutions, such as systemic corruption, exceeding external debts, and weak enforcement of , opting instead for voluntary mechanisms like the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) that lack binding authority and popular accountability. For instance, despite commitments to governance standards, NEPAD has overlooked endorsements of flawed elections—such as Zimbabwe's in March 2002 by leaders including —and ongoing resource extraction corruption in nations like and , allowing undemocratic elites to maintain power without substantive institutional overhaul. This top-down, leader-driven structure, criticized for insufficient grassroots consultation, reinforces dependency on foreign aid and investment (e.g., projected needs of $64 billion annually) while ignoring alternatives like debt repudiation, reparations, or South-South cooperation to address colonial legacies and brain drain. Philosophically, detractors argue NEPAD adopts a Eurocentric , misinterpreting as an inevitable boon rather than neo-imperialism, thus failing to incorporate endogenous African solutions attuned to socio-political realities and historical agency. Empirical shortcomings underscore this: South Africa's Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) policy, a neoliberal precursor mirrored in NEPAD, projected 6% annual growth but achieved only 0.7-3.2% from 1996-2000, highlighting how market-led foci exacerbate without tackling power imbalances or public needs. Such failures reflect an ideological oversight of deeper structural barriers, prioritizing superficial over transformative reforms in property rights security and incentives, which remain prerequisites for sustainable and growth.

Current Status and Future Prospects

Alignment with Agenda 2063 and SDGs

The Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), as the successor to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), serves as the primary implementing agency for , the 's strategic framework adopted in January 2015 for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse by 2063. AUDA-NEPAD incubates high-impact projects that align continental priorities with national development plans, facilitates knowledge sharing on best practices for , and mobilizes resources and partnerships to advance the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan (2014–2023) of . Its programs emphasize development, industrialization, , , natural resources management, and , directly supporting 's seven aspirations, including , , and continental unity. AUDA-NEPAD contributes to flagship initiatives, such as the Programme for Infrastructure Development in (PIDA), which prioritizes over 100 projects to address 's annual infrastructure financing gap of $68–108 billion, exemplified by the linking and that reduced border crossing times from days to minutes and boosted trade. The agency also supports through the Digital Platform and Dashboard, enabling real-time monitoring of progress on continental goals. Additionally, initiatives like the Skills Initiative for have trained over 2 million entrepreneurs, with 60% being women and , fostering economic empowerment aligned with 's targets for 7–10% annual GDP growth. NEPAD's framework aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, through AUDA-NEPAD's targeted programs that address multiple goals simultaneously. For instance, the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization program and pharmaceutical manufacturing efforts, including facilities producing 300 million vaccine doses annually in South Africa, advance SDG 3 (good health and well-being). Infrastructure and digital initiatives support SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), while the 100,000 MSMEs Initiative promotes SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 5 (gender equality). Climate resilience efforts, such as the Africa Disaster Risk Management and Recovery Platform, address SDG 13 (climate action) by mobilizing resources for adaptation needs estimated at $30–50 billion annually. These activities reflect NEPAD's original emphasis on poverty reduction and sustainable growth, integrated into SDG-aligned strategies.

Recent Developments (2023–2025)

In 2023, AUDA-NEPAD released its annual report, emphasizing advancements in implementing Agenda 2063 through knowledge-driven solutions, including data analytics and communities of practice. The agency also participated in the launch of the fourth phase of the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) implementation framework on October 25, 2023, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, United Nations, and World Bank, aimed at addressing post-conflict reintegration across member states. Transitioning into 2024, AUDA-NEPAD initiated the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) for 2024–2033, designed to accelerate continental development priorities such as sustainable growth and integration. Preparatory phases for projects like Energize Africa commenced, focusing on foundational partnerships, , and capacity-building to enhance access. Additionally, the agency developed its Strategy 2024–2028 to guide operational efficacy. Throughout 2025, AUDA-NEPAD advanced innovation initiatives, including the April launch of two African Public Education Trust (APET) knowledge products on AI and health during the AI & STI Day at the Summit. CEO Nardos Bekele-Thomas led efforts such as a September visit to to strengthen bilateral partnerships, an August call for a on access to address a $50 billion annual investment gap, and July scaling of women-led initiatives under the . In March, the agency supported 's biodiversity priorities at the UN Conference and established cooperation with PIC/S on standards. The launch of the and Recovery Platform further bolstered resilience efforts by mobilizing financial and technical resources.

Prospective Reforms for Greater Efficacy

To enhance efficacy, proposed reforms for AUDA-NEPAD prioritize accelerating implementation through the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of (2024–2033), which shifts emphasis from policy convergence to tangible execution in areas like and infrastructure development. This includes fostering multi-partner arrangements and systemic collaborations to streamline delivery models, as outlined in the AUDA-NEPAD Strategy 2024–2028 concept note. Institutional strengthening forms a core pillar, with recommendations to build robust public institutions, align more closely with structures via sector-specific action plans, and expand participation through entities like NEPAD Business Chapters. Capacity-building initiatives, such as establishing centers of excellence in science, , and , aim to equip African experts for self-sustained and policy execution. Financial reforms advocate domestic to counter dependency, including curbing illicit flows estimated to drain billions annually and reforming public expenditure for efficiency, thereby enabling investments in transformative sectors like and systems. The ensuing decade's focus on execution over formulation, coupled with elevated global advocacy, seeks to elevate Africa's economic positioning, though success hinges on verifiable progress in metrics.

References

  1. https://www.nepad.org/who-we-are/history
  2. https://au.int/en/organs/nepad
  3. https://opil.ouplaw.com/display/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690-e659
  4. https://www.un.org/esa/africa/nepadEngversion.pdf
  5. https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/RS21353.html
  6. https://www.nepad.org/news/assessing-nepad-achievements-after-20-years-perspectives-and-challenges
  7. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4942405
  8. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378196925_Shaping_the_Future_of_Africa_The_Efficiency_of_NEPAD_in_Promoting_to_Develop_Africa
  9. https://www.e-ir.info/2011/07/19/%25E2%2580%2598another-false-dawn-for-africa-%25E2%2580%2599-discuss-this-assessment-of-nepad/
  10. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318350472_NEPAD_and_Africa%27s_Development_A_critical_analysis
  11. https://www.minec.gov.mz/index.php/an-overview-of-nepad
  12. https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2003/wp0369.pdf
  13. https://www.nepad.org/history
  14. https://dirco1.azurewebsites.net/au.nepad/historical_overview.htm
  15. https://hrlibrary.umn.edu/instree/nepad.html
  16. https://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/initiatives-partnerships/nepad
  17. https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/NEPAD_ANGL_cadre.pdf
  18. https://www.nepad.org/microsite/who-we-are-0
  19. https://au.int/en/aprm
  20. https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/001/2003/069/article-A001-en.xml
  21. https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/RS/PDF/RS21353/RS21353.3.pdf
  22. https://www.ipinst.org/wp-content/uploads/publications/mn_nepad.pdf
  23. https://au.int/sites/default/files/decisions/9632-council_en_25_29_january_2010_executive_council_sixteenth_ordinary_session.pdf
  24. https://au.int/en/nepad
  25. https://www.nepad.org/content/about-auda-nepad
  26. https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20181106/institutional-reform-african-union-major-focus-11th-au-extraordinary-summit
  27. https://www.nepad.org/agenda2063
  28. https://www.nepad.org/publication/auda-nepad-strategic-plan-2020-2023-0
  29. https://www.nepad.org/
  30. https://www.nepad.org/strategic-priorities
  31. https://www.nepad.org/publication/nepad-brief
  32. https://www.afrobarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ab_r5_policypaperno1.pdf
  33. https://www.nepad.org/blog/unleashing-africas-potential-path-sustainable-development
  34. https://www.nepad.org/publication/auda-nepad-brief
  35. https://amrh.nepad.org/amrh-recs
  36. https://www.nepad.org/news/auda-nepad-strengthens-collaboration-regional-economic-communities-through-energize
  37. https://www.nepad.org/news/afcfta-africa-controls-its-destiny
  38. https://ecdpm.org/work/auda-nepad-does-money-and-focus-equal-ownership-and-trade
  39. https://www.au-pida.org/unveiling-the-aida-afcfta-standard-impact-assessments-guide/
  40. https://www.elibrary.imf.org/display/book/9781589062627/ch04.xml
  41. https://african.business/2025/10/economy/from-global-platform-to-continental-action-seizing-the-g20-legacy-for-african-prosperity
  42. https://www.nepad.org/publication/conditions-success-implementation-of-african-continental-free-trade-agreement
  43. https://www.nepad.org/programme-details/1012
  44. https://www.nepad.org/publication/africas-capacity-development-strategic-framework
  45. https://www.nepad.org/microsite/african-biosafety-network-of-expertise-abne
  46. https://www.nepad.org/news/auda-nepad-and-partners-support-biosafety-capacity-building-rwanda
  47. https://www.nepad.org/news/driving-socio-economic-growth-youth-and-women-africa
  48. https://www.nepad.org/galleries/capacity-building-workshop-womens-groups-associations-and-cooperatives-african-small
  49. https://www.nepad.org/who-we-are/governance-0
  50. https://nepadaprmkenya.go.ke/nepad-governance-structure/
  51. https://www.facebook.com/nepad.page/posts/on-monday-10-february-2025-his-excellency-abdel-fattah-el-sisi-president-of-the-/1032288388927968/
  52. https://nepad-aws.assyst-uc.com/content/governance
  53. https://www.nepad.org/sites/default/files/resourcefiles/2021%20Annual%20Report_EN_final_small.pdf
  54. https://www.nepad.org/who-we-are/leadership
  55. https://sis.gov.eg/en/media-center/events/president-el-sisi-chairs-auda-nepad-heads-of-state-and-government-orientation-committee-summit/
  56. https://au.int/fr/node/41789
  57. https://x.com/NEPAD_Agency/status/1886795692795928933
  58. https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/au212500.pdf
  59. https://africarenewal.un.org/en/documents/africa-team-programme-document
  60. https://www.nepad.org/who-we-are/about-us
  61. https://www.africa50.com/media/news/article/african-development-bank-group-and-africa50-in-partnership-with-the-african-union-commission-and-auda-nepad-to-create-alliance-for-green-infrastructure-in-africa-with-global-partners-478/
  62. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/g8-africa-action-plan-enhance-strategies-for-development/
  63. https://afripoli.org/how-bureaucracies-work-auda-nepads-approach-to-trade-and-industrialisation
  64. https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/china/05958.pdf
  65. https://globalhealth.georgetown.edu/visual_stories/georgetown-university-partners-with-auda-nepad-to-transform-africa-s-health-financing
  66. https://picscheme.org/en/news/the-african-union-development-agency-new-partnership-for-afr
  67. https://www.nepad.org/file-download/download/public/127359
  68. https://www.au-pida.org/pida-history/
  69. https://www.nepad.org/news/new-report-calls-unlocking-170-billion-annually-meet-africas-infrastructure-needs
  70. https://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/initiatives-partnerships/programme-for-infrastructure-development-in-africa-pida
  71. https://nepad.org/programme/programme-infrastructure-development-africa-pida
  72. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/partnership/?p=989
  73. https://www.nepad.org/publication/16-infrastructure-projects-african-integration
  74. https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-and-germany-sign-eu184-million-financing-agreement-support-nepad-ippf-boost-infrastructure-project-preparation-africa-81855
  75. https://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/initiatives-partnerships/nepad-infrastructure-project-preparation-facility-nepad-ippf
  76. https://www.nepad.org/continental-data/infrastructure-and-regional-integration
  77. https://www.nepad.org/news/pidas-decade-of-transformation-auda-nepad-paving-way-africas-prosperous-future
  78. https://www.nepad.org/pidaweek2024
  79. https://aid.nepad.org/welcome/
  80. https://www.nepad.org/caadp/overview
  81. https://www.resakss.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/comprehensive-africa-agriculture-development-progr-1375.pdf
  82. https://www.un.org/esa/africa/speeches/council.htm
  83. https://www.ifpri.org/project/strengthening-caadp-biennial-review-br/
  84. https://www.nepad.org/cop/food-and-nutrition-security-agriculture-value-chain-development
  85. https://nepad.org/programme/food-and-nutrition-security
  86. https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20250113/african-union-adopts-ten-year-strategy-and-action-plan-transform-africas-agri
  87. https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20250506/au-launches-caadp-strategy-action-plan-2026-2035-caadp-kampala-declaration
  88. https://www.nepad.org/areas-of-work/natural-resources-governance-and-food-security
  89. https://www.nepad.org/continental-data/environment-climate-and-natural-resource-management
  90. https://www.nepad.org/publication/effective-natural-resource-extraction-critical-africas-development
  91. https://www.nepad.org/publication/industrialization-science-technology-innovation-isti
  92. https://www.nepad.org/blog/unlocking-africas-potential-through-enhancing-continents-industrialisation-sector
  93. https://nepad.org/publication/guide-country-impact-assessments-accelerated-industrial-development-africa-aida
  94. https://www.nepad.org/areas-of-work/human-capital-and-institutions-development
  95. https://nepad.org/centres-of-excellence/centre-of-excellence-human-capital-and-institutions-development
  96. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2158244020983277
  97. https://www.nepad.org/publication/24-priority-medical-products-and-roadmap-regional-manufacturing-africa
  98. https://www.nepad.org/file-download/download/public/143511
  99. https://www.nepad.org/centres-of-excellence
  100. https://www.nepad.org/climate
  101. https://www.nepad.org/node/14363
  102. https://nepad-aws.assyst-uc.com/file-download/download/public/15205
  103. https://www.nepad.org/programme/climate-change-fund
  104. https://www.nepad.org/publication/nepad-launches-initiative-resilience-and-restoration-of-african-landscapes
  105. https://www.nepad.org/news/integrating-climate-action-africas-food-systems
  106. https://www.nepad.org/news/advancing-climate-resilient-infrastructure-investments-africa
  107. https://gca.org/news/global-center-on-adaptation-and-auda-nepad-sign-memorandum-of-understanding-to-accelerate-climate-change-adaptation-in-africa/
  108. https://aiccra.cgiar.org/publications/auda-nepad-gender-climate-change-and-agriculture-support-program-training-trainers
  109. https://www.nepad.org/publication/pida-first-10-year-implementation-report
  110. https://www.nepad.org/publication/auda-nepad-2023-annual-report
  111. https://aprm.au.int/sites/default/files/files/2023-10/agr202320231023142001strongcompression-compressed20231023142355strongcompression.pdf
  112. https://www.facebook.com/panafricanparliament/posts/key-highlights-from-adv-batlokoa-makong-advisor-to-african-peer-review-mechanism/1215091687314876/
  113. https://www.un.org/africarenewal/sites/www.un.org.africarenewal/files/amb_ndangiza_aprm_hlp.pdf
  114. https://aprm.au.int/en/events/2023-12-10/aprm20
  115. https://www.stimson.org/2024/can-the-african-peer-review-mechanism-effectively-govern-cybersecurity-and-accountability/
  116. https://www.againstcorruption.eu/publications/struggle-effective-change-assessment-aprms-achievements/
  117. https://www.au-pida.org/pici-project-portfolio/
  118. https://www.ism-africa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/PIDA-Jobs-Outlook-Second-Edition-2021.pdf
  119. https://nepad-aws.assyst-uc.com/file-download/download/public/15908
  120. https://www.asfg.org.uk/sites/files/actionaid/assessing_progress_towards_the_aus_10percent_budget_target_for_agriculture_june_2010.pdf
  121. https://www.resakss.org/sites/default/files/CAADP%2520IMPACT%2520PAPER-FROM%2520MAPUTO%2520TO%2520MALABO.pdf
  122. https://www.nepad.org/news/nourishing-minds-and-communities-auda-nepads-impact-of-home-grown-school-feeding
  123. https://nepad.org/nepad-oncontinent/food-and-nutrition-security-botswana
  124. https://www.nepad.org/news/african-ambassadors-un-told-of-what-nepad-has-achieved
  125. https://pap.au.int/en/news/press-releases/2023-03-17/auda-nepad-briefs-pap-plenary-agencys-contribution-africas-economic
  126. https://africanlii.org/en/akn/aa-au/doc/report/2020-12-01/2020-auda-nepad-annual-report/eng%402020-12-01/source.pdf
  127. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/delivering-the-africa-of-the-future-auda-nepads-role-in-achieving-agenda-2063-and-the-sdgs/
  128. https://nepad.org/news/rethinking-growth-how-life-economies-can-shape-sustainable-future
  129. https://social.desa.un.org/issues/poverty-eradication/nepad
  130. https://www.facebook.com/un.nardos.bt/posts/auda-nepad-signed-an-mou-with-united-nations-economic-commission-for-africa-to-d/1137597174605380/
  131. https://www.un.org/osaa/secretary-general-report-on-nepad
  132. https://dig.watch/resource/auda-nepad-white-paper-regulation-and-responsible-adoption-of-ai-in-africa-towards-achievement-of-au-agenda-2063
  133. https://www.u4.no/publications/the-african-peer-review-mechanism-aprm
  134. https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/199605/1/die-bp-2006-02.pdf
  135. http://economicswebinstitute.org/essays/nepad-annotatedcritique.pdf
  136. https://punchng.com/auda-nepad-staff-protest-bad-management-corruption-demand-ceos-sacking/
  137. https://journals.fukashere.edu.ng/index.php/kjpir/article/download/378/318/1343
  138. https://iol.co.za/news/africa/2004-12-13-nepad-man-implicated-in-bribe-scandal/
  139. https://ecdpm.org/download_file/1835/1316
  140. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01436597.2023.2202848
  141. https://asq.africa.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/168/Amuwo-Vol6-Issue3.pdf
  142. https://www.cato.org/economic-development-bulletin/african-perspectives-aid-foreign-assistance-will-not-pull-africa-out
  143. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290595959_The_New_Partnership_for_Africa%27s_Development_NEPAD_three_elements_of_criticism
  144. https://journals.fukashere.edu.ng/index.php/kjpir/article/download/469/385/1636
  145. https://www.cgdev.org/sites/default/files/2786_file_cgd_wp004_rev.pdf
  146. https://www.kas.de/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=12ba0984-d805-3862-7857-68cba9a0fa56&groupId=252038
  147. https://www.accord.org.za/ajcr-issues/the-african-union-and-the-new-partnership-for-africas-development-nepad/
  148. https://sahistory.org.za/article/african-union-and-regional-economic-integration
  149. https://ijmcr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Paper25547-554.pdf
  150. https://www.nepad.org/agenda-2030
  151. https://www.peaceau.org/en/article/ddr
  152. https://africarenewal.un.org/en/documents/energize-africa-project-document
  153. https://africanlii.org/en/authors/AUDA-NEPAD/
  154. https://www.nepad.org/news/breaking-barriers-africas-bold-leap-ai-and-health-innovation
  155. https://african.business/2025/09/partner-content/auda-nepad-chief-executives-high-level-visit-in-algeria-signals-new-era-of-continental-collaboration
  156. https://african.business/2025/08/partner-content/auda-nepad-ceo-calls-for-presidential-champion-to-accelerate-africas-water-access-as-she-is-appointed-to-global-water
  157. https://www.nepad.org/news/scaling-innovative-solutions-women-led-initiatives-africa
  158. https://www.nepad.org/news-centre/news
  159. https://www.nepad.org/publication/agenda-2063-second-ten-year-implementation-plan-2024-2033
  160. https://www.nepad.org/publication/concept-note-development-of-auda-nepad-strategy-2024-2028
  161. https://www.academia.edu/20707083/Challenges_and_Prospects_in_the_Implementation_of_NEPAD
  162. https://nepad-aws.assyst-uc.com/publication/nepad-showcases-progress-policy-reformsnext-decade-focus-implementation
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
Contribute something
User Avatar
No comments yet.