Witnessing-Africa’s-Transformation-AU-Summit-2025-ONE-Champions
Giving a first-hand account from attending the African Union Summit, ONE Champion shares her experience and lessons learnt.
Stepping onto the grounds of the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, I felt an overwhelming sense of purpose. This was not just another conference, not just another gathering of leaders in well-tailored suits. This was history in the making, and I had the immense privilege of being there to witness it firsthand thanks the ONE Campaign as a ONE Champion.
The establishment of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) was, for me, the peak of the summit. I had read about the struggles African nations face when trying to access credit from international lenders unfair ratings, exorbitant interest rates, and a system stacked against us. But here, in the heart of the AU Headquarters, I saw the collective resolve of our leaders to change that narrative.
Sitting among policymakers and financial experts, I listened intently as they outlined how AfCRA would transform Africa’s financial ecosystem. No longer would we have to depend on external institutions to assess our economies through a Western lens that fails to account for Africa’s unique context. Instead, we would have an agency that understands our strengths, our potential, and our challenges one that would ensure our nations receive the fair treatment they deserve.
The session was electrifying. Finance ministers, economic experts, and heads of state passionately discussed the impact of biased credit assessments on African economies. One speaker highlighted how excessive borrowing costs hinder infrastructure projects, leaving African nations in a perpetual cycle of debt. With AfCRA, the goal is to offer fair, objective ratings that allow countries to access credit at more reasonable rates, fostering genuine economic growth.
Leaving the AU Headquarters that day, I carried with me a renewed sense of optimism. The challenges were clear, but so were the solutions. AfCRA was not just an idea it was a decisive action towards economic justice.
IVI at the Sheraton: The Urgency of Vaccine Self-Sufficiency
From the grand halls of the AU Headquarters to the elegant setting of the Sheraton Hotel, my journey through the summit continued. Here, the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) held a side event that focused on an equally crucial aspect of Africa’s future: health security.
I walked into the event carrying the weight of the last few years the images of Africans waiting for vaccines that arrived too late, the dependency on foreign pharmaceutical giants, the painful reality of being last in line for life-saving medicine. But this gathering was not about lamenting the past. It was about shaping a future where Africa produces its own vaccines, where no child has to wait for medicine, and where our health security is in our own hands.
Dr. Jerome Kim, IVI’s Director-General, spoke with passion and urgency. “Africa must no longer be at the mercy of external pharmaceutical giants,” he stated. It was clear that African leaders were taking the issue seriously, recognizing that vaccine production is not just a health priority but an economic necessity.
Several key discussions unfolded, focusing on the role of technology transfer, financing for vaccine production, and capacity building for local pharmaceutical companies. Experts detailed how Africa’s reliance on imported vaccines had cost lives and slowed pandemic responses.
One of the most striking moments was a presentation on the establishment of vaccine manufacturing hubs across the continent. South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya were highlighted as potential leaders in vaccine production, with discussions on how regional partnerships could ensure equitable distribution. The event ended with a strong call to action: African nations must invest in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries to break free from dependence on foreign aid.
Leaving the IVI side event, I felt the weight of responsibility. This was more than just policy; it was a matter of life and death. The urgency is real, and the solutions are within reach if only African nations could commit to investing in their own people.
Africa Business Forum: An Overflow of Possibilities
As the summit’s energy crescendoed, I found myself at the Africa Business Forum, held at UNECA’s Africa Hall. The forum carried a spirit of ambition, of action, and of boundless potential. Here, Africa’s business minds, policymakers, and investors convened to discuss how to move from potential to prosperity.
Unlike the formal discussions at AU Headquarters and the pressing urgency of the IVI side event, the Africa Business Forum felt like a space for tangible action. Panellists spoke about activating regional value chains, reducing reliance on imported goods, and harnessing Africa’s own resources to create sustainable economies.
The forum was structured into multiple sessions, each addressing key sectors where Africa could strengthen its industrial capacity. One session focused on agriculture and food processing, emphasizing the need for local production to reduce food insecurity. Another panel explored the role of digital technology in transforming Africa’s business landscape, highlighting innovations in fintech, e-commerce, and digital infrastructure. Discussions revolved around how Africa can leverage technology to bridge economic gaps, improve market access for small businesses, and create employment opportunities for its growing youth population.
One of the most impactful moments was the signing of the MoU between UNECA and the AfCFTA Secretariat. This agreement set the stage for deeper economic integration, fostering intra-African trade and reducing barriers that had long hindered business growth.
I was captivated by the enthusiasm of the business leaders in the room. They spoke not just of profits, but of purpose. They envisioned an Africa that manufactures its own goods, feeds its own people, and trades with itself before looking outward.
As I sat there, I realized that this was more than an economic discussion it was a shift in perspective. Africa is no longer just a continent of potential; it is a continent of progress.
A Journey Worth Taking
Looking back on those intense, insightful days at the summit, I realize just how much this experience changed me. I arrived expecting to learn about Africa’s challenges, but I left inspired by its victories. I had witnessed the birth of financial sovereignty with AfCRA, felt the urgency of health justice with IVI, and celebrated Africa’s economic ambition at the Business Forum.
More than anything, I left with the understanding that our continent is not waiting for the world to recognize its greatness. Africa is moving, building, and transforming on its own terms. I am honoured to be part of that journey.
