“…Egypt's vision, in light of its current chairmanship of the  Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, is based on accelerating both economic integration and the implementation of the Agenda 2063 vision, as well as the objectives of the Continental Free Trade Agreement, while harnessing Egyptian expertise in the areas of infrastructure, energy, communications, industrial transformation, and food security, with the participation of the private sector, and in constant consultation with brothers in African countries. This is in addition to working to mobilize financial resources for the Continent’s priority areas by adopting AUDA-NEPAD’s proposal to launch the Africa Team Resource Mobilization Campaign initiative” - H.E. Dr Mostafa Madbouly Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt during 2023 BRICS Summit.

The AUDA-NEPAD, African Union Commission, and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) have embarked on a joint programming initiative with the Regional Economic Communities (RECs). This multi-institutional collaboration aims to roll-out the Agenda 2063’s Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) to regional and national levels as prerequisites for regional integration. The evidence-based programme uses specialised approaches and tools to analyse foresight planning, coordination, resource mobilization, knowledge sharing, and best practices dissemination.

Guided by the African Union (AU), the Agenda 2063 vision shapes a future of integration, prosperity, and peace driven by its citizens. The vision unfolds through ten-year implementation plans, crafting a roadmap of development goals and targets.

"As we reflect on the first decade of Agenda 2063, spanning 2014 to 2023, we note the progress that has been made across the spectrum of development, from coherence among Member States to collective action among regional and continental AU institutions. However, it's important to acknowledge that certain milestones remain unmet, such as reduction in child marriages, child trafficking and coverage of sanitation services. This awareness is the guiding light for the Second Ten Year Implementation Plan (STYIP), a blueprint to accelerate progress while maintaining the right speed and scale." said Simon Kisira, Head of Programme Evaluation at AUDA-NEPAD.

The STYIP espouses seven targets that address Africa's complexities head-on. These goals demand substantial resources – financial investment, interdisciplinary expertise, and advanced technologies.

Acknowledging the pivotal role of RECs in the attainment of these targets, AUDA-NEPAD employs the principle of regional integration to coordinate and execute priority projects across the continent. Herein lies the synergy between RECs and AUDA-NEPAD – a "hand and glove" collaboration that fuels socio-economic integration on a grand scale, promoting wealth creation, job opportunities, population health, and elevated living standards.

Yet, success hinges on systematic coordination and collaboration. By aligning the AU Commission, AUDA-NEPAD, RECs, and member states through joint programming, planning, and execution, an ecosystem for development emerges.

With Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implemented under a common framework, strong collaboration becomes paramount across socio-economic sectors and governmental levels. The integration of national development strategies with continental objectives, as articulated in the STYIP targets, calls for institutional coordination and cross-sectoral collaboration.

In this context, AUDA-NEPAD pioneers a joint programming initiative with RECs in collaboration with other AU institutions like the AU Commission and AfCFTA.

AUDA-NEPAD has identified priority programs through meticulous applied research, consultations, and on-ground engagement. These programs, anchored in REC-based implementation strategies, encompass diverse sectors, including health systems, infrastructure, climate change, and innovation.

The heartbeat of Team Africa – comprising the AUC, AUDA-NEPAD, and RECs – synchronizes with member states and specialized continental institutions to ensure the effective execution of these priority programs. Through knowledge sharing and the propagation of best practices, Team Africa fosters development efforts across the continent. Under the stewardship of Team Africa and critical stakeholders, these coordinated continental and regional integration endeavours will undoubtedly steer Africa toward economic transformation, sustainable development, inclusive growth, poverty alleviation, and improved livelihoods for all.

The collaborative spirit embraced within the AU's regional integration agenda is poised to become a powerful mechanism driving the realization of Agenda 2063's Second Ten-Year Plan, both at the regional and continental levels. This implementation arrangement promises to bolster the support extended to the AU Member States as they work towards their national development plans, thus contributing to the collective continental endeavour of bringing the aspirations of the African people, enshrined in Agenda 2063, to vibrant fruition.