In a landmark step toward greater continental unity and progress, the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has officially adopted its Strategic Plan for 2024-2028. This significant event occurred during the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, under the African Union’s 2024 theme: “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa.” The Strategic Plan marks a pivotal step in advancing Africa’s governance, integration, and sustainable development over the next five years.
H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, addressed the plenary with a message of optimism and unity, stating, “The Pan-African Parliament Strategic Plan for 2024-2028 embodies our commitment to accelerating the continent's legislative, social, and economic progress. This roadmap reflects our collective aspirations and aligns with Agenda 2063, the African Union’s (AU) blueprint for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse.” His message emphasized the plan’s role as a dynamic roadmap designed to bring tangible benefits to African citizens, thus strengthening PAP’s influence on the global stage.
The Strategic Plan focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of PAP in several key areas. By developing and promoting continental model laws, PAP aims to unify legislation across the continent, thereby fostering economic development and integration. Enhanced legislative oversight will enable PAP to hold AU institutions and policies accountable, ensuring transparency and integrity among member states. The plan also strengthens PAP’s commitment to representation, reinforcing its role as a key voice in continental decision-making. Additionally, it prioritizes building institutional capacity to improve PAP’s operational efficiency and financial sustainability, supporting its mission as the AU's legislative arm.
Chief Charumbira highlighted that PAP’s approach for this period represents a shift from activity-based implementations to a results-driven strategy focused on measurable outcomes. This shift is intended to ensure that PAP’s efforts directly benefit African citizens. The Plan’s Theory of Change and Strategic Map outline a framework for fostering legal harmonization, fiscal responsibility, and citizen engagement, all aligned with Agenda 2063—a comprehensive vision for African unity and prosperity.
The anticipated outcomes of the Strategic Plan illustrate the transformative impact PAP envisions. Through improved legal harmonization across member states, PAP aims to achieve policy coherence and unity throughout Africa, advancing the objectives of Agenda 2063. By enhancing fiscal accountability and policy compliance, PAP seeks to ensure equitable and responsible resource allocation within AU programs, supporting sustainable development continent-wide. With a stronger representative role, PAP will actively shape and monitor the implementation of key initiatives, ensuring that Africa’s voice resonates in the policy-making spaces that shape its future. With strengthened institutional capacity, PAP aims to bolster its global influence, effectively advocating for African interests on the international stage.
Professor Benon Basheka, a consultant who spoke after the adoption, commended the collaborative effort behind the Plan and underscored its alignment with Agenda 2063. “The adoption of this strategic plan underscores PAP’s dedication to meeting the needs of African citizens,” he noted. “The alignment of our strategic activities with Agenda 2063 exemplifies our commitment to Africa’s shared future.”
The adoption of the Strategic Plan was widely celebrated by African legislators, who praised the dedication of all involved in its creation. They expressed confidence in the Plan’s potential to drive Africa’s development and integration. As PAP embarks on this ambitious agenda, Chief Charumbira called on all stakeholders—member states, civil society, regional bodies, and youth—to join hands in the collective effort toward a unified and empowered Africa. Together, PAP and its partners will work toward realizing a prosperous, integrated, and resilient continent, enhancing Africa’s role on the world stage.
