The first decade of Agenda 2063's implementation will come to an end in 2023. In this context, the African Union Commission and the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD were requested by the Executive Council under decision EX.CL/Dec.1164(XL) to lead the evaluation of the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan (FTYIP) and the formulation of the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP), commonly known as "the Special Project."   In light of this, the AUC and AUDA-NEPAD led the data gathering, analysis, and group reflection processes. As a result a draft evaluation report of the FTYIP and a draft Framework document for the STYIP were produced.

A High-Level Forum on Agenda 2063 Special Project was held on the margins of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, under the theme “Evidence-Based Collective Reflection for Accelerated Implementation of Agenda 2063”. The event purposed to avail policymakers with a deeper appreciation of the outcomes of the evaluation of the first decade of Agenda 2063 implementation and the emerging key priorities, and indicative strategies for the successor ten-year plan.

“I call upon all stakeholders to rally behind the implementation of the Special Project and Agenda 2063 at large, and to improve coordination and delivery mechanisms,” said AUDA-NEPAD CEO, H.E Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas.

The Secretary General of East African Community, H.E Dr. Peter Mathuki called for conscious efforts to strengthen the collaboration and deepen collective action on Agenda 2063 between national, regional, and continental-level actors. Dr. Mathuki also implored all Member States to invest resources in domesticating and implementing Agenda 2063.

“Africa has registered notable progress in the implementation of Agenda 2063, but more and accelerated efforts are required to realize the aspirations of the African people” . stated the Deputy Chairperson of AUC, Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa.

Mme Estherine Fotabong – the Director of Programme Innovation and Planning of AUDA-NEPAD presented the preliminary findings of the Special Project. She reported that Agenda 2063 is still very relevant, but very weak in the efficiency of implementation. Furthermore, moderate performance was noted on the effectiveness criterion, while the rating on sustainability was recorded as weak. The proposed ambitions and the proposed development priorities were also presented alongside the proposed levers of change.

During the discussion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, H.E. Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey noted with concern the low levels of domestication of Agenda 2063. H.E. Shirley emphasised the need for Africa to embrace a paradigm shift from aid to innovative ways of investment for greater self-sufficiency.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chad, H.E. Hon Amine Abba Sidick, called for enhanced efficiency in the implementation of Agenda 2063, accompanied by mutual accountability mechanisms. He urged the AU to undertake high-impact interventions that will restore the fading hopes of African people on the expected results and benefits of Agenda 2063.

Six countries, namely Algeria, Congo Republic, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Togo, shared their experiences on the implementation of the Agenda 2063 Special Project. The presentations featured country self-assessments of key achievements of Agenda 2063 over the first decade of implementation, the main success factors and constraints, the lessons learned, and the proposed priorities for the Second Ten Year Implementation Plan.

In her reflections on the outcomes of the event, the Minister of Planning and Development of Cote d’Ivoire, H.E. Hon. Kaba Nialé took note of the need to upscale awareness of Agenda 2063 as a collective ambition and a prerequisite for deepening ownership and responsibility at all levels. 

In closing, H.E. Ms. Nardos-Thomas Bekele reiterated the need for inclusive and people-centred processes, specifically calling for citizen-oriented integrated planning, implementation, and monitoring, supported by robust resource mobilisation mechanisms. The forum was informed that the final draft report of the Special Project will be presented at the Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in July 2023.