Africa, the continent of the black people continues to struggle for its place in globalization, achieving economic emancipation and having a resounding success in infrastructure and development.
Bearing the cost and pain of slavery and colonization, the continent had a loss of identity, economic reliance and exploitation of resources, both human and natural leaving it at very disabled state, lacking the capacity to stand on its own.
The era of decolonization of Africa started in the mid-1900, where Ghana being the first sub-Sahara African country to gain independence in 1957 led the campaign for total liberation of Africa. The liberation process brought forth the Organization of Africa Unity (OAU) which became Africa Union (AU) in 2002 with a new charter for progressive Africa.
Heads of State At the Founding of the OAU in 1963
After 52 years of establishing the continents top most governing assembly, the AU commission designed a policy framework showing how Africans both at home and in the diaspora want Africa to be by year 2063, when the continent is celebrating 100 years of forming the continental union. The policy framework referred as “African Agenda 2063” has a bold message; The Africa We Want, The Africa we forge.
The policy document is a long-term blueprint aimed at transforming Africa into a prosperous, integrated, and peaceful continent.
The policy document is a long-term blueprint aimed at transforming Africa into a prosperous, integrated, and peaceful continent. Since its adoption in 2013, notable progress has been made in areas such as regional integration, infrastructure development, and trade cooperation. Initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area have strengthened intra-African trade and economic collaboration. Additionally, several countries have increased investments in youth empowerment, technology, and education.
However, significant challenges remain. Political instability, slow infrastructure development, limited financing, and governance issues continue to slow implementation. In some regions, conflict and insecurity hinder development efforts. To fully achieve the aspirations of Agenda 2063, stronger political commitment, effective leadership, and deeper collaboration among African states are essential to close existing gaps and accelerate sustainable progress.
As an effort to compliment Africa Union Commission’s programs on Agenda 2063, The Orange Youth Festival and The Africa We Want Symposium are created platforms to engineer nonesoteric concepts and practical solutions to achieve the goals and aspirations of the policy document.
Organized by Youth Arise Organization, the 2026 Festival and Symposium will serve as common grounds for sharing innovative solutions and developing actionable strategies to Achieve African Union’s Agenda 2063 as well as UN sustainable development goals.
If you are passionate about the future of the continent and how we can together forge The Africa We Want, sign up and join in the meeting in Accra, in August 2026.