Nardos BEKELE-THOMAS

It is always a pleasure to engage Ms. British Robinson, Chair of Africa, @MilkenInstitute, whose commitment to advancing Africa’s investment story is deeply valued. The Milken Institute has long been a friend of the continent, using its convening power and global networks to elevate serious dialogue on capital, innovation, and long-term development. This engagement holds real practical value. A stronger AUDA-NEPAD–Milken partnership can expand access to global investors, strengthen dialogue on capital markets, support innovative financing solutions, and raise the visibility of Africa’s bankable opportunities across infrastructure, health, and economic transformation. I look forward to deepening this collaboration through concrete steps that help mobilise capital and connect Africa’s priorities to long-term investment partners.

My engagement with the @CorpCnclAfrica and industry leaders provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on the importance of partnership in advancing Africa’s health investment agenda. I was particularly pleased to engage with Florie Liser, whose continued commitment to strengthening US–Africa commercial and investment ties remains both important and deeply appreciated. Our discussions underscored the need for stronger collaboration to unlock investment, build market confidence, and position Africa’s health sector as a space for opportunity, resilience, and long-term value creation. I look forward to deepening these partnerships as we continue working together to mobilise investment and help build a stronger health economy for Africa.

It was a pleasure to meet with Ms. Dana Banks, a distinguished leader in US-Africa relations whose experience across diplomacy, policy, and private sector engagement continues to shape important conversations on Africa’s development trajectory. Our exchange was both timely and enriching, reflecting on the evolving landscape of US-Africa partnerships and the opportunities to build stronger bridges between policy, investment, and impact.

Strong partnerships are essential to building resilient health systems and advancing Africa’s development priorities. It was a pleasure to meet with Jeffrey Graham, Senior Bureau Official and Acting Global AIDS Coordinator in the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy @StateDeptGHSD, and his team for a constructive exchange on strengthening collaboration between AUDA-NEPAD and the U.S. Department of State. Our discussion focused on the importance of moving from shared ambition to practical, scalable action through stronger partnerships, sustainable health financing, and delivery systems that can respond effectively to the continent’s evolving needs. We also reflected on the role of strategic platforms such as PIFAH in unlocking investable opportunities and advancing key priorities, including pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing, digital health infrastructure, regional diagnostics, and resilient health supply chains. AUDA-NEPAD remains committed to working with partners to build a more resilient, self-reliant, and investment-ready health ecosystem across Africa. I look forward to the next steps in translating this important engagement into tangible results. #AUDANEPAD #GlobalHealth #HealthSecurity #Africa #Partnerships #HealthFinancing #SustainableDevelopment

I held an engagement with H.E. Miguel César Domingos Bembe, Ambassador of Angola to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative of Angola to the African Union, on the sidelines of the AUDA-NEPAD–Wits School of Governance Executive Management Programme. Our exchange reflected on the successful conduct of the recent African Union Summit, which demonstrated the value of careful preparation and effective institutional coordination. I also commended His Excellency Bembe’s leadership within the Permanent Representatives’ Committee, as well as the exemplary stewardship of the Government of Angola during its tenure as Chair of the African Union in 2025. We discussed the strategic role of the Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) as the highest governing authority of AUDA-NEPAD, providing political leadership and oversight to guide the Agency’s strategic orientation and programme implementation. Angola’s leadership of the HSGOC offers an important opportunity to further strengthen the link between continental political direction and institutional delivery, particularly in advancing African-led financing solutions and results-oriented implementation. AUDA-NEPAD remains committed to working closely with Angola and all Member States to reinforce institutional alignment and translate continental priorities into tangible outcomes for our continent. #AUDANEPAD #AfricanUnion #Agenda2063

The morning after a milestone deserves a moment of stillness. This morning, one of our Comms team members did just that — pulling up a chair and sharing a coffee with @AssoumaniYouss4 to look back on last night’s events with fresh eyes. Here is what H.E. Mr. Youssouf Mondoha Assoumani, Ambassador of the Union of the Comoros to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, had to say. Last night in Johannesburg, I stood before a room full of Africa’s finest minds — and I was reminded of why this work matters. As Dean of the African Ambassadors, I have had the honour of witnessing many milestones on our continent’s journey. But what unfolded at the AUDA-NEPAD and @Wits_WSG Executive Management Programme was something that stirred something deeper in me. We often speak of diplomacy as the art of representation. But the truth is, diplomacy today is so much more. It is about sitting at the table where the future is being written and having the knowledge, the tools, and the vision to contribute meaningfully to that conversation. That is exactly what this Masterclass is building. Leaders from across Africa; ambassadors, senior officials, changemakers are gathering not just to network, but to learn. To grapple with the hard questions: How do we build institutions that last? How do we govern in the age of artificial intelligence and digital transformation? How do we turn the promise of #Agenda2063 into lived reality for our people? For the Union of the Comoros, and for every nation represented in that room, the answer begins here, with leaders who are willing to grow. Because strong institutions are not built by systems alone. They are built by people — people who are curious, capable, and committed to something greater than themselves. Africa’s development ambitions are bold. And they deserve leaders who are equally bold. To AUDA-NEPAD HCID team led by my brother @SymerreGrey, to my sister H.E. @nardosbthomas, to the Wits School of Governance, and to every participant in this programme: thank you for choosing to invest in Africa’s most powerful resource, its leadership. The continent is watching. And the continent is ready. 🌍 #Africa #Leadership #AUDANEPAD #Agenda2063 #Diplomacy #Governance #Comoros #AfricanAmbassadors #CapacityBuilding #WitsSchoolOfGovernance

Last night we officially launched our inaugural High-Level Executive Masterclass on Public Sector Innovation and Transformation for Sustainable Development under our Human Capital & Institutional Development (HCID)! Hosted jointly with @Wits_WSG, this programme advances the agenda for institutional resilience, digital transformation, and regional collaboration across Africa. In her remarks, our CEO, H.E. @nardosbthomas, set the tone with powerful conviction: “Let me tell you one thing, and I have seen it firsthand: in our continent, we have no shortage of talent. We have no shortage of ambition.” But she was equally clear-eyed about where the real work lies, in implementation. Africa’s development frameworks — from Agenda 2063 to the AfCFTA — set a bold and clear vision. Yet as H.E. Bekele-Thomas reminded us, “development frameworks must move beyond declarations to deliver measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.” Institutions do not transform themselves. Transformation requires leadership, skills, and new ways of thinking. With 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, and over 10 million young people entering the labour market every year, the urgency has never been greater. This demographic dividend is not just a statistic, it is a call to action for every policymaker, diplomat, and public servant in that room. Over the course of this week, ambassadors, senior government officials, and policy leaders from across the continent will engage with leading scholars and practitioners on issues at the heart of Africa’s development — from public sector reform and health systems, to financing, institutional development, and the transformative potential of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The @WorldBankAfrica projects that the digital economy could add over $180 billion to Africa’s GDP, but harnessing that potential demands institutions that are agile, innovative, and led by people committed to responsible, inclusive policy. This Executive Management Programme is a key component of our Energize Africa initiative, an investment not just in skills, but in the networks and relationships that make continental collaboration possible. As H.E. Bekele-Thomas closed: “Together, let us strengthen leadership, build resilient institutions, and advance governance systems that drive Africa’s transformation and deliver on Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.” The journey starts now. #PublicSectorInnovation #Agenda2063 #AfricaWeWant #DigitalTransformation #ExecutiveMasterclass #WitsWSG #EnergizeAfrica #AfricanLeadership #SustainableDevelopment

Happy International Women’s Day — to every woman who dares, builds, leads, and inspires. Today, and every day, we celebrate you. As the African Union’s premier development agency, AUDA-NEPAD stands firmly in the belief that Africa’s development cannot happen at the pace and scale we envision unless women are placed at its very centre. This is not rhetoric — it is a development imperative backed by evidence, experience, and an unwavering commitment to action. Across our beloved continent, women are farmers feeding nations, entrepreneurs driving economies, innovators solving the challenges of tomorrow, and community anchors holding societies together. At AUDA-NEPAD, we do not simply advocate for women — we act. We design, fund, and implement programmes on the ground, in communities, in villages and cities across Africa, that are actively transforming the lives of women and girls. Africa’s #Agenda2063 — #TheAfricaWeWant — is a future where no woman is left behind. We will not arrive at that future by accident. We will arrive there through deliberate, bold, and sustained action — the kind AUDA-NEPAD is committed to delivering each and every day. To every woman on this continent and beyond: your brilliance is not a supplement to Africa’s story — it is its very spine. You are not the future. You are the now. On behalf of AUDA-NEPAD, I wish you a meaningful and empowering International Women’s Day. @nardosbthomas #IWD2026 #WomenDrivingAfrica |

Progress on Africa’s development priorities must be driven by effective institutions, coordinated action with Member States, and partnerships that translate policy commitments into implementation under #Agenda2063. My engagement with H.E. Willy Nyamitwe, Ambassador of Burundi, provided a valuable opportunity to exchange views on strengthening collaboration between AUDA-NEPAD and Burundi in advancing the continent’s development agenda.   We reflected on the importance of ensuring Member States remain well informed of AUDA-NEPAD’s programmes, achievements, and priorities, while enhancing collective ownership of the Agency’s work in delivering development outcomes across the continent.   Our exchange highlighted opportunities to deepen cooperation on youth development and peace initiatives, strengthen knowledge exchange among African experts, and enhance national engagement to accelerate implementation of continental priorities.   AUDA-NEPAD remains committed to working closely with Burundi and all Member States to advance coordinated continental action, strengthen institutional alignment, and translate Africa’s development ambitions into measurable impact.   #AUDANEPAD #AfricanUnion #Agenda2063

I was delighted to receive the CEO of @NEPAD_Agency, H.E. @nardosbthomas, who paid me a courtesy visit. Our discussions focused on strengthening collaboration and strategic partnership, particularly in the context of the ongoing Chairmanship of the @_AfricanUnion, with an emphasis on advancing shared priorities and initiatives that deliver tangible results for #Africa’s development. #Burundi4Africa

Today, I was pleased to welcome H.E. Dr. Nardos Bekele-Thomas @nardosbthomas, CEO of @NEPAD_Agency. Our discussions reinforced our shared commitment to close coordination to advance #Agenda2063, deep continental integration, and drive forward Africa's sustainable development agenda through strategic partnerships. #AUC #NEPAD #AU #AUDA_NEPAD

Africa’s development trajectory must be driven by effective institutions, aligned continental action, and partnerships centered on implementation to translate priorities into concrete outcomes. My engagement with H.E. Ambassador Hirut Zemene of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia reinforced our shared commitment to strengthening collaboration between Ethiopia and AUDA-NEPAD. We exchanged views on advancing cooperation across key areas of AUDA-NEPAD’s work in Ethiopia — including supporting climate-resilient agriculture and agro-industrial development, deepening collaboration in the pharmaceutical sector to strengthen local manufacturing capacity, promoting regional infrastructure and connectivity that enhance trade and economic integration, strengthening health systems through the Africa Demographic Dividend and Sexual Reproductive Health (A2DSRH) programme, and advancing TVET and skills development through @NEPAD_Agency’s Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA). AUDA-NEPAD remains committed to deepening its partnership with Ethiopia through practical, implementation-focused collaboration that supports Ethiopia’s national priorities while advancing Africa’s broader development agenda. #AUDANEPAD #AfricanUnion #Agenda2063

Strengthened institutional coordination and effective continental implementation remain central to delivering on #Agenda2063. My bilateral engagement with H.E. Ambassador Abdi Mahamoud Eybe of Djibouti, Chair of the PRC Sub-Committee on NEPAD, provided an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to this objective. I conveyed my deep appreciation for his leadership and substantive collaboration throughout 2025, which has reinforced alignment between AUDA-NEPAD and the Permanent Representatives’ Committee. AUDA-NEPAD stands ready to further deepen its collaboration with the Republic of Djibouti to advance regional implementation priorities, and I look forward to our continued close coordination to drive tangible, results-oriented outcomes for the continent. #AUDANEPAD #PRC #AfricanUnion #institutionalcordination #CollaborationForImpact

Africa’s economic transformation rests on aligned institutions, accountable private-sector engagement, and partnerships focused on delivering concrete outcomes. My engagement with the Assistant Secretary-General & Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact, H.E. Sanda Ojiambo, reinforced the importance of aligning global business networks with Africa’s priorities under Agenda 2063. We exchanged views on rationalising fragmented engagement platforms, strengthening corporate accountability principles, and advancing joint action to mobilise African and international capital — positioning development not as aid, but as an investable opportunity that delivers measurable impact. AUDA-NEPAD remains committed to a practical, results-oriented collaboration with the UN Global Compact — focused on coherent continental coordination, stronger public-private cooperation, and on ensuring that Africa’s enterprise, innovation, and investment potential are fully reflected in global economic discourse. #AUDANEPAD #UNGlobalCompact #Agenda2063 #PrivateSector #InvestmentInAfrica

African Union Commission Hosts Sixth AU UN High-Level Strategic Dialogue on Sustainable Development The African Union Commission, under the leadership of H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, @DCP_Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, today hosted H.E. Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, for the Sixth AU UN High Level Strategic Dialogue on Sustainable Development at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa. The Dialogue built on the High-Level engagement held on 10 November 2025 and provided a strategic platform to advance AU-UN engagement, cooperation and coordination in support of Africa’s priorities, particularly the implementation of Agenda 2063 under the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP). The Dialogue was attended by senior leadership of the African Union Commission, including Commissioners responsible of Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment; Infrastructure and Energy; Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development; Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals; and Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD and the African Union Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security. Senior officials of the United Nations system also participated in the Dialogue, including the Special Adviser on Africa to the United Nations Secretary-General, Special Representative to the Secretary General and Head of UNAOU, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNDP's Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, senior representatives of the UN Development Coordination Office, and other senior UN officials and advisers, among others. Strategic focus of the Dialogue Discussions focused on strengthening accountability and accelerating delivery through more effective AU-UN strategic coordination, including in the context of United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/79/329, which calls for strengthened coordination on sustainable development and requests reporting on progress in AU-UN cooperation. The Dialogue also provided an opportunity for forward-looking reflections on the evolving multilateral environment and its implications for delivery on the ground, with an emphasis on safeguarding Africa’s centrality in agenda-setting, implementation, and impact across the continent. Key messages highlighted during the Dialogue The dialogue underscored the importance of a cooperation model that supports delivery across the full development value chain, including policy and strategic frameworks, institutional capacity strengthening, and programmatic implementation. In this regard, the Commission highlighted the importance of clear prioritisation, stronger accountability arrangements, and results-oriented coordination mechanisms. The Commission further emphasised the role of existing AU–UN coordination platforms, including the High-Level Strategic Dialogue and the College-to-College mechanism, as part of a broader architecture of strategic engagement reinforced at leadership level, including the recent high-level meeting between the His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. Together, these engagements contribute to promoting coherence, predictability, and measurable progress in support of Africa’s continental priorities under the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP). Next steps As part of the way forward, the African Union Commission indicated its intention to pursue a structured 2026 coordination cycle to strengthen strategic guidance, mid-year monitoring, and end-of-year consolidation and reporting, in line with the Dialogue’s focus on accountability and delivery. The Commission also noted the importance of continued technical work through the College-to-College mechanism during 2026 to support prioritisation, monitoring and alignment, including in relation to the reporting processes envisaged under resolution A/RES/79/329. The African Union Commission expresses appreciation to the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations for the engagement and reiterates its commitment to strengthening the AU-UN partnership in a manner that advances Africa-centred delivery and tangible impact for the people of Africa. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleas…

Following the adoption of the decisions of the 43rd Session of the AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) by the 39th AU General Assembly, AUDA-NEPAD warmly welcomes two key leadership milestones: Election of H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola, as Chairperson of our HSGOC for a single term of two years. The renewal of the mandate of our Chief Executive Officer, H.E. @nardosbthomas, for the next four years. We are excited by these leadership appointments and look forward to their guidance as we continue driving Africa's transformation agenda.

Our CEO, @nardosbthomas held a courtesy meeting with H.E. @AminaJMohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General. Their discussion centered on the principle of “One Plan, Two Agendas”—the alignment between Africa’s #Agenda2063 and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Together, these frameworks form a shared pathway that links continental ambition with global goals, guiding Africa’s transformation. The meeting underscored a joint resolve to keep Africa’s people at the heart of every development effort, ensuring that progress is inclusive, sustainable, and truly transformative. #SDGs #TheAfricaWeWant #UN2030Agenda

On the sidelines of the AU Summit, our CEO @nardosbthomas joined African and U.S. leaders for a roundtable on advancing strategic corridors hosted by @CorpCnclAfrica. With the launch of the U.S.–AUC Strategic Infrastructure & Investment Working Group, she emphasised the importance of turning Africa’s continental priorities into tangible results—by strengthening PIDA and building integrated corridors that connect people, markets, and opportunities. She urged leaders to focus on preparation, governance, and collective investment—ensuring Africa’s people benefit from corridors that truly deliver.