Leaders of African Political Parties (APPS 2026), converged to dialogue on governance and continental developments, following the positive conclusion of the first initiative in 2025. It was also to review various approaches to strengthen the effectiveness of existing models of political party governance and consistency toward adherence to the basic tenets and principles while taking steps in improving the system of governance across Africa.
The second African Political Parties gathering was held in November 2026 in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia (with themes and remarks closely tied to prior discussions), focusing on the theme “From Politics to Prosperity: Strengthening Inter-Party Collaboration for Africa’s Development and Economic Transformation.” The event focused on shifting from zero-sum partisan politics to inclusive governance, inter-party collaboration, and economic transformation. The Addis Ababa meeting attracted African heads of state, prime ministers, leaders of governing and opposition parties, and the African Union Commission (AUC).
Organizers: Hosted by Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party in collaboration with the Accra-based Africa Governance Centre. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia, African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, leaders of governing and opposition political parties, former presidents and prime ministers, and regional stakeholders. Leaders underscored the importance of transparency, constitutionalism, political pluralism, and translating commitments from the inaugural 2025 Accra Summit into concrete action.
Discussions, Proceedings, and Outcomes
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African Union Commission (AUC) Support: AUC Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, underscored that political leadership quality shapes Africa’s future, calling for greater transparency, accountability, political pluralism, peaceful competition, and the inclusion of women and youth in political decision-making. He emphasized consensus around the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), education, employment, and infrastructure.
Addis Ababa Declaration Proposal: Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, put forward proposals for the Addis Ababa Declaration, urging leaders to translate commitments made during previous summits into concrete, measurable actions and sustained follow-up. PM Abiy Ahmed and Deputy President of the Prosperity Party, President Adam Farah, highlighted Ethiopia’s Medemer (Synergy) philosophy and the role of the Political Parties Joint Council in fostering inter-party dialogue and inclusion. The Declaration points to the importance of long-term planning, and advancement of institutional capacity in accelerating economic transformation.
Economic Growth Focus: The meeting put forward proposals for a formal declaration aimed at translating continental political commitments into measurable socio-economic results and long-term stability. Discussions highlighted the need for expanded political participation of women and young people, as well as institutionalizing inter-party dialogue platforms (such as Ethiopia’s Political Parties Joint Council) to foster national consensus.
APPS 2026 operates within the Agenda 2063.
Participants also examined systemic leveraging political cooperation to drive economic transformation, regional integration, and continental development under the AU’s Agenda 2063. It is a set of initiatives adopted by the African Union in 2015 to achieve economic, political, social, and cultural development by 2063. It has 15 flagship projects, which have been identified as being key to enabling and accelerating progress in all areas of development in Africa.
The stated goals of the agenda are economic development (including the eradication of poverty within one generation), political integration (in particular through the establishment of a federal or confederate United Africa), improvements in democracy and justice, establishment of security and peace on the entire African continent, strengthening of cultural identity through an African renaissance and pan-African ideals, gender equality, and political independence from foreign powers. The Agenda 2063, therefore, outlines clearly a set of initiatives proposed in 2015, and currently under implementation by the African Union.
