African Union

The Secretary-General of the International Criminal Police Organization (@INTERPOL_HQ ), H.E. Mr. Valdecy Urquiza, this afternoon paid a courtesy visit to the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on strengthening cooperation within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding between the AU Commission & INTERPOL. The Chairperson @ymahmoudali acknowledged and appreciated INTERPOL’s continued support to AU Member States & the AU Mechanism for Police Cooperation (@AfripolA ), particularly in the areas of capacity-building & programme development. The Chairperson & the Secretary General reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening institutional cooperation & collective efforts to prevent & combat transnational organised crime in all its forms, in accordance with their respective mandates. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…

“Resilience must be built with Africa, not around Africa.” Last week at the Berlin Global Dialogue 2026, H.E. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, called for partnerships that advance local mineral processing, technology transfer and job creation across Africa. To support this ambition, she proposed an African Risk-Sharing and Premium Support Platform to make investment insurance more affordable and unlock development financing. Through these concrete proposals, the AU asserted Africa’s role in shaping global economic decisions and securing partnerships that deliver for its people. #Agenda2063 #BerlinGlobalDialogue

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, this morning received the credentials of H.E. Mr. Antonin Benjamin Bieke, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire to the AU. Their discussions focused on key AU priorities, including youth development, peace and security, climate change & migration, as well as Côte d’Ivoire’s contribution to advancing the Union’s continental agenda. The Chairperson @ymahmoudali underscored the importance of coordinated regional responses to conflicts & sustained mediation efforts in promoting peace & stability across the continent. He also wished Côte d’Ivoire a successful tenure as it assumes the chairmanship of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) in November. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026… @Gouvciofficiel

From Digital Strategies to Delivery: AU Ministers Call for Increased Investment and Faster Implementation. The Sixth Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Communication and Information and Communication Technology (STC-CICT) opened its Ministerial Session in Libreville, Gabon on 29 October 2026, with ministers calling for faster implementation of continental digital commitments and stronger collective action to advance a Single African Digital Market. The Ministerial Session follows two days of deliberations by experts and brings together ministers responsible for communication, information, information and communication technology (ICT) and postal services, members of the STC Bureau, African Union Commission officials and development partners. Ghana is assuming the Committee’s chairmanship for the next two years, succeeding the Kingdom of Lesotho. Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union Commission, H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, said the session was taking place as digital technologies fundamentally reshape economies, governance and public service delivery. She stressed that digital infrastructure is now as essential to national development as roads, railways, ports and electricity. “Africa cannot afford to approach the digital revolution as a spectator. Our ambition must be to build an Africa that not only participates in the digital economy, but contributes to shaping it and benefits from the wealth it creates,” she said. Commissioner Mataboge outlined the six pillars before the Committee: enabling policies and infrastructure; trusted and interoperable digital ecosystems; artificial intelligence; skills and innovation; strategic communications; and Africa’s leadership in global digital governance. She emphasised that connectivity, data governance, cybersecurity and AI are connected elements of Africa’s economic transformation, not separate policy discussions. Commissioner Mataboge called for accelerated investment in cross-border fibre networks, regional data centres, internet exchange points, cloud infrastructure and last-mile connectivity, and for infrastructure, energy and digitalisation to be planned and financed together. She also urged progress toward a Single African Digital Market, citing the African Continental Free Trade Area  (AfCFTA) Protocol on Digital Trade and the need for cooperation on data governance, digital identity, cross-border payments and electronic transactions. In her second appeal to ministers, Commissioner Mataboge @LDMataboge focused on financing and execution. “Africa does not suffer from a shortage of digital strategies... What we require now is sustained financing, stronger institutions and the courage and focus to implement our commitments,” she said. She called for dedicated financing facilities for continental digital infrastructure, mobilisation of investment for African AI, research, digital skills and innovation, and greater use of blended finance, guarantees and public-private partnerships in underserved markets. She also stressed that citizens must see results through lower connectivity costs, expanded digital access, job creation, stronger African enterprises and improved public services. In welcoming delegates, H.E. Mark-Alexandre Doumba, Minister of the Economy, Digitalisation and Innovation of the Gabonese Republic, underscored #Gabon’s commitment to continental digital integration. “Gabon is honoured to host this session, and we remain committed to working with all Member States so that digital transformation delivers real benefits for our citizens,” he said. He welcomed ministers to Libreville and thanked the African Union Commission, experts and partners for their preparations. The incoming Chair of the STC-CICT, #STCCICT6 Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, said the Committee must be measured by results rather than declarations. He noted that while Africa already has the Digital Transformation Strategy, the Continental AI Strategy, the Data Policy Framework and the Malabo Convention, implementation has too often lagged. He listed connectivity, data governance, cybersecurity and AI built “for Africa, by Africans” as urgent priorities, and said Africa must negotiate as a market of nearly 1.5 billion people rather than 55 separate markets. He also cited Ghana’s One Million Coders Programme as an example of investing in young people. The outgoing Chair, Lesotho’s Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Nthati Moorosi, was acknowledged for her stewardship of the Committee. Ministers are expected to consider and adopt the experts’ report, review progress on continental digital initiatives, and advance the Libreville Declaration on the Road to Doha ahead of the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, Qatar. The session is also addressing the Algiers Declaration on Fair, Safe and Responsible Digital Platforms in Africa, cybersecurity and data protection, and Africa’s collective positioning in global digital governance. The African Union Commission reaffirmed its commitment to working with Member States, Regional Economic Communities, development partners and the private sector to mobilise resources and accelerate delivery. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…

A united African voice on the road to Doha. African Ministers endorsed the Libreville Declaration on Africa’s Road to Doha 2026 at the Ministerial Session of #STCCICT6, setting out a common position ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference. The Declaration advances shared priorities on connectivity, equitable access to spectrum, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and Africa’s engagement with global technology platforms, alongside coordinated support for African candidates in ITU elections. H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, urged Member States to approach Doha with unity, preparation and clear objectives: “Our collective voice carries greater weight when we speak with common purpose.” With Africa allocated 13 seats on the ITU Council, coordinated action is essential to translating representation into influence. More @ au.int/en/newsevents/2026102… @LDMataboge

🇬🇦 Stronger connectivity, greater opportunities for innovation. Addressing the Ministerial Session of #STCCICT6, H.E. Mark-Alexandre Doumba, Minister of Digital Economy and Innovation of Gabon, emphasised cooperation on digital infrastructure, skills and innovation, and a stronger collective African voice in global digital governance. His message comes as #Gabon advances its own digital ambitions, with the launch of 5G during this week’s Gabon Digital Week marking a step towards the connected future at the heart of the ministerial discussions. More @ au.int/en/newsevents/2026102…

At the Ministerial Session of #STCCICT6, H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, @LDMataboge African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, placed African technological capabilities, connected markets and investment in infrastructure at the heart of the continent’s digital ambitions: “Africa cannot afford to approach the digital revolution as a spectator. Our ambition must be to build an Africa that not only participates in the digital economy, but contributes to shaping it and benefits from the wealth it creates.” Read @ au.int/en/speeches/20261029/…

🇬🇭 Ghana takes up the chairmanship of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Communication and ICT to steer its work over the coming term. During the opening of the Ministerial Session of #STCCICT6 in Libreville, outgoing Chair H.E. Nthati Moorosi of Lesotho handed over the instruments of office to Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations. The handover marks continuity in collective efforts to advance Africa’s digital transformation, innovation and inclusion. Read @ au.int/en/speeches/20261029/…

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf this afternoon addressed the plenary session of the Third Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow. The session was co-chaired by H.E. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, & H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the African Union. In his remarks, the Chairperson @ymahmoudali expressed appreciation for the warm & cordial welcome extended to all delegations. He underscored that the participation of African Heads of State & Government in the Summit reflects the importance they attach to strengthening cooperation & advancing mutually beneficial relations with the Russian Federation. He reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to respecting the sovereign choices of its Member States in pursuing their development priorities, while advancing the vision of an integrated, prosperous & peaceful Africa. He emphasised that these efforts remain guided by Agenda 2063, the continent’s strategic framework for inclusive & sustainable development & the realisation of the aspirations of its people. Highlighting Africa’s vast agricultural & mineral resources, the Chairperson stressed the importance of ensuring that these resources generate tangible benefits for the continent’s population. He underscored the need to promote local processing, value addition & industrialisation to enable African countries to capture greater value from their natural endowments. He further emphasised the importance of equitable & favourable access to international capital markets to support Africa’s development ambitions. In this regard, he welcomed the establishment of the African Credit Rating Agency as an important step towards strengthening Africa’s financial sovereignty & addressing persistent challenges in credit ratings. He also called for comprehensive reform of the international financial architecture to ensure that it is more equitable, inclusive & responsive to the development needs of African countries. On global governance, the Chairperson reiterated the African Union’s longstanding position on the need for equitable & fair representation of Africa in the UN Security Council, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus & the Sirte Declaration. He also called for renewed international attention to the historical injustices of colonialism, including efforts to address its legacy & advance recognition of colonialism as a crime against humanity. Addressing the challenges posed by technological disparities, the Chairperson stressed the need to bridge the digital divide, expand access to technology & strengthen Africa’s digital capabilities. He underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation with the Russian Federation & other international partners in promoting technology transfer, innovation, capacity-building & digital transformation in support of Africa’s development priorities. President Putin thanked the Chairperson for his remarks & expressed Russia’s appreciation for the partnership & cooperation with the AU Commission. He reaffirmed the strategic nature of #Russia–AU Commission relations & commended the Commission for its role in strengthening this partnership & advancing a shared spirit of cooperation. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…