OWNING OURSELVES: WHAT IF AFRICA FUNDED THE AUC?
The Institute for Development Studies (IDS) hosted its weekly seminar series on Thursday, February 20, 2025, focusing on the theme "Owning Ourselves: What If Africa Funded the AUC?" The seminar took place via Zoom from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
The guest speaker for the event was Dr. Joseph Atta-Mensah Senior Fellow, African Center for Economic Transformation. The session featured Dr. Oscar Otele (University of Nairobi) and Samuel Mulongo, a defense and security consultant and managing partner at EMANS Frontiers Ltd. (Kampala), as discussants. The session was moderated by Prof. Paul Kamau (University of Nairobi).
Dr. Atta-Mensah emphasized the critical need for financial autonomy within the African Union Commission (AUC) to reduce reliance on external donors and ensure the effective implementation of policies. He pointed out that despite commitments made under the 2015 AU Assembly Decision 578, inconsistent contributions from member states continue to hinder progress.
To address this issue, he proposed three key strategies:
- Full Implementation of the 0.2% Import Levy – Ensuring a steady and reliable source of funding.
- Strengthening Domestic Resource Mobilization – Encouraging African nations to generate and allocate resources effectively.
- Enhancing Financial Transparency – Building trust and accountability to improve financial management within the AUC.
Dr. Atta-Mensah urged African nations to take full ownership of the AUC’s funding to promote self-reliance and drive the continent’s development agenda.
The discussants, Samuel Mulongo and Dr. Oscar Otele, echoed the need for a well-structured and sustainable financing strategy for the AU. They emphasized that scattered or small-scale efforts would not suffice; instead, Africa requires a clear and practical long-term financial plan. With the right approach, the AU can reduce its dependence on external donors and take full control of its future.
The seminar highlighted a growing consensus among African policymakers and thought leaders on the necessity of self-reliance in funding continental institutions. Ensuring financial independence would empower Africa to shape its own development trajectory and make decisions that align with its unique priorities and aspirations.
