The African Union Commission Chair, H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat led an engagement between the African Union Development Partners Group (AUPG) and AUDA-NEPAD on the Agency’s transition under the AU institutional reform process.  The AUC Chairperson highlighted that the transformation of NEPAD into the AU Development Agency is one of the cornerstones of the AU reforms. He gave an update on the reform process and further elaborated on the mandate of the AUDA-NEPAD and its delegated responsibility to spearhead the implementation of Agenda 2063. The AUC Chair emphasized the importance of the decision of the African Union Assembly which made provisions for the AUDA-NEPAD to establish a “flexible financing mechanism” to finance the implementation of priority development projects, which necessitates the mobilization of solid and diverse partnerships.

The AUDA-NEPAD Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mayaki outlined the functions of the Agency, 2020 – 2023 strategic priorities and resource needs. He articulated on the AUDA-NEPAD’s consolidated responsibilities emphasizing the function that relates to undertaking the full range of resource mobilisation and flexible financing modalities for the implementation of AU flagships.

The Dialogue was convened by the co-chairs of the AUPG, the Ambassador of Denmark to the AU, Ms. Karin Poulsen and US Ambassador to the AU, Ms. Jessica Lapenn who recently took up the role of co-chair.  The Dialogue was a first step by the AUDA-NEPAD towards strengthening its relationship with development partners in support of Africa’s socio-economic development and implementation of Agenda 2063.

The Dialogue provided an opportunity for the AUPG to deepen its understanding of the AUDA-NEPAD as the technical arm of the Union through an engagement with AU leadership. Clear messages were delivered by H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat and AUDA-NEPAD Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mayaki to make a distinction on the different yet mutually reinforcing roles of the Commission and Development Agency in driving Africa’s development Agenda.