Our Work
NEPAD – the African Union’s blueprint for accelerating development on the continent
A key part of Africa’s renewal in the early 2000s was the formation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The African Union conceived NEPAD in 2001 as the blueprint for Africa’s ownership of its development, and it enjoins partners to forge genuine partnerships with African countries.
NEPAD was adopted by African Heads of State and Government at the 37th Ordinary Session of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Assembly in Lusaka, Zambia, in July 2001. The AU, the successor to the OAU, endorsed the adoption of NEPAD as a programme of the AU at its inaugural Summit in 2001.
NEPAD’s mandate is to eradicate poverty; promote sustainable growth and development; integrate Africa in the world economy; and accelerate the empowerment of women.
NEPAD Agency – the implementing Agency of the African Union
The NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency) was established in 2010 as an outcome of the integration of NEPAD into AU structures and processes. The NEPAD Agency is the implementing agency of the African Union that advocates for NEPAD, facilitates and coordinates the development of NEPAD continent-wide programmes and projects, mobilises resources and engages the global community, regional economic communities and member states in the implementation of these programmes and projects.
The NEPAD Agency replaced the NEPAD Secretariat which had coordinated the implementation of NEPAD programmes and projects since 2001.
The Agency aims to:
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Implement regional and continental priority programmes and projects;
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Enhance partnerships, resource mobilisation, and research and knowledge management;
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Push for regional integration;
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Drive continental development processes;
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Create an enabling environment for private sector engagement; and
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Build institutional linkages and tap into existing technical resources.
The NEPAD Agency’s six thematic areas of focus or pillars are: