The summit, themed “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” will be held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
It will include meetings of the AU Executive Council, consisting of foreign ministers, from February 12 to 13, followed by a gathering of African heads of state and government on February 15 and 16.
Elections to determine the next AUC chairperson for the 2025-2028 term, along with the other senior leadership roles, will occur during these sessions.
All eight senior positions, including deputy chairperson and six commissioners, are open for candidates, with portfolio assignments reflecting regional representation.
Candidates for the AUC chairperson position—Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, Raila Odinga of Kenya, and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar—recently shared their visions in a live debate.
They outlined strategies for implementing Agenda 2063, the AU’s long-term plan for a peaceful, prosperous, and united Africa.
The summit’s theme also underscores the AU’s commitment to reparatory justice. The organization has long advocated for reparations for historical injustices against Africans and people of African descent, emphasizing the restitution of cultural artifacts looted during colonization.
Since its founding in 1963, the AU has taken steps to advance this cause, aligning it with the broader goal of decolonization and justice for Africa’s heritage.
CAF’s decision follows thorough inspections and assessments conducted by their technical and infrastructure experts. According to the findings, while significant progress has been made in the construction and upgrading of stadiums, training fields, hotels, and healthcare facilities, the current infrastructure is not yet fully prepared to meet the high standards required for hosting the prestigious tournament.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe expressed confidence in the efforts of the host nation’s leaders – President William Ruto of Kenya, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
“The progress made so far is commendable. However, additional time is necessary to ensure the highest quality of infrastructure. We are committed to delivering a world-class tournament that celebrates African football.”
The postponement allows the host countries to continue their preparations without the pressure of impending deadlines. Ongoing construction and renovations will now have the required time to meet CAF’s standards, enhancing overall tournament experience for teams and fans alike.
The competition draw for CHAN 2024 initially scheduled for February 2025 will still take place in Nairobi on January 15, 2025. The exact dates for the rescheduled Championship in August 2025 will be announced by CAF in due course.
The report, an initiative of the Brookings Institution’s Africa Growth Initiative, provides critical insights and strategies for addressing the continent’s priorities over the next five years.
In his keynote address, delivered virtually, Dr. Ngirente said Africa is on a “promising growth path,” emphasizing the continent’s unique demographic advantage.
“Our continent will soon be home to the youngest and most active labour force in the world, offering huge potential for economic development,” he said.
By 2050, Africa is projected to account for 25% of the global population, with nearly 800 million people entering the workforce, according to the report.
Dr. Ngirente stressed the importance of unlocking this potential through investments in human capital, job creation, and modernizing agriculture to ensure food security.
He also called for improved infrastructure for transport and connectivity, a critical enabler for intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Prime Minister praised the AfCFTA as “proof of our collective strength,” noting that it connects 1.4 billion people across Africa with a combined GDP of over $3 trillion.
The report echoes this optimism, stating that AfCFTA could increase intra-African trade, which currently stands at just 14%, to levels comparable to other regions like Europe and Asia.
The Foresight Africa Report 2025 highlights that by promoting regional collaboration and innovation, Africa can accelerate its progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the report warns that less than 6% of SDG targets are on track in Africa, underscoring the need for bold and coordinated action.
{{Rwanda’s model of progress
}}
Sharing Rwanda’s success story, Ngirente attributed the country’s progress to visionary leadership, investment in education, and robust accountability mechanisms.
“We have invested in human capital, focusing on education and skills development, empowering Rwandans to better contribute to inclusive growth,” he said, adding that Rwanda has also demonstrated the value of strong institutions, ensuring timely responses to citizens’ needs.
The Prime Minister underscored the need for Africa to embrace modern technologies to remain competitive in a changing global landscape. The Foresight Africa Report 2025 highlights that Africa’s digital economy could create 230 million jobs and generate $130 billion in economic value by 2030.
On climate change, Ngirente emphasized the urgency of proactive measures, a sentiment echoed in the report, which estimates that nearly 900 million Africans could face climate hazards by 2050. However, the global net-zero transition presents opportunities in green industries, with the potential to generate $2 billion annually and create 700,000 jobs by 2030.
Ngirente concluded his remarks by emphasizing Africa’s growing role on the global stage, urging everyone to consider the opportunities and reaffirm their commitment to unlocking Africa’s potential.
“Africa is positioning itself as a significant and influential player in the global arena, with the potential to drive sustainable development and enhance the well-being of its citizens. Strengthening and enabling the private sector to support government initiatives is crucial to achieve these goals.”
Kagame’s keynote address focused on the urgency of supporting Africa in its fight against the devastating impacts of climate change, which continue to hamper the continent’s development.
He began by acknowledging the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in convening the forum, and quickly turned attention to the global sustainability agenda, which, he argued, has yet to deliver its promised benefits, especially for Africa.
The Head of State emphasized that political commitments often lack the necessary action, leaving Africa vulnerable in the face of escalating climate risks.
“As one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, Africa’s population is projected to double by 2050, creating immense pressure on its economies to meet increasing demands for water, food, energy, and jobs,” Kagame said emphasizing that addressing these challenges requires affordable and scalable technologies tailored to the realities of developing nations.
“Rwanda has already made significant progress by fostering a pro-business environment with tax incentives and simplified immigration policies. The country has attracted global investments and supported various innovations. Innovation is the backbone of our approach to addressing pressing challenges,” he added.
Kagame highlighted the success of Zipline, a drone company launched in Rwanda to deliver medical supplies and now valued at $4 billion with operations spanning multiple continents. “This is an example of what Africa can achieve when we create the right environment for innovation,” Kagame noted.
Commenting on the importance of renewable energy and digital technologies, he argued they are insufficient on their own to fuel industrialization. “Africa’s development requires energy solutions that are reliable, affordable, and capable of powering large-scale manufacturing. Without this, we are asking the continent to limit its growth,” he said.
To address this gap, Rwanda is preparing for small modular nuclear reactors to become part of its energy mix as this this is a clean and dependable power source that aligns with Africa’s sustainability goals and industrial ambitions.
He stressed the need for collaboration and fairness in the global sustainability agenda, saying that sustainable development is a collective effort and Africa cannot succeed alone, and neither can the world.
“We need pragmatic and results-driven partnerships and Rwanda’s cooperation with the United Arab Emirates through initiatives such as the Government Accelerator Programme and the One Million Coders Initiative are examples of impactful global partnerships,” he said.
Kagame called for greater inclusion of Africa in global sustainability efforts in the transition to a sustainable world pledging readiness on behalf of Rwanda to work with any nation committed to building a brighter and more equitable future.
The institution, co-founded by Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Ethiopia’s former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, aims to redefine leadership across the continent through evidence-based policymaking, ethical governance, and cutting-edge research.
The inauguration drew notable dignitaries, including Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana; the inaugural ASG president, Professor Kingsley Moghalu; Dr. Donald Kaberuka, former President of the African Development Bank; Prof. Peter Materu, Chief Program Officer at Mastercard Foundation; and other board members, including Francis Gatare, a senior presidential advisor.
The event came just days after the institution, which also has the backing of the Mastercard Foundation, received accreditation from the Higher Education Council of Rwanda on January 6, 2025.
In his keynote address, former Prime Minister Desalegn highlighted the urgent need for leadership tailored to Africa’s unique challenges. He emphasized that the school’s establishment is driven by the belief that “Leadership matters, and one of the greatest things holding Africa back is a clear deficit in leadership that is fit for the purpose.”
Desalegn added that the ASG represents a response to the continent’s leadership challenges, characterized by a “lack of vision or strategies to deliver results, and even backsliding after periods of some gains.” He stressed that the school seeks to reverse this trend by nurturing leaders with a deep understanding of Africa’s history, political economy, and untapped potential.
He further noted that the ASG will integrate *home-grown solutions* to address Africa’s unique problems, ensuring leadership strategies are rooted in the continent’s realities, cultures, and values.
Professor Moghalu outlined the institution’s ambitious plans, including graduate-level programs in public policy, governance, and leadership.
The programs are designed to nurture current and future leaders capable of driving sustainable development, economic growth, and social transformation across Africa while elevating the continent’s voice in global governance discussions.
“This is an event of profound historic importance. ASG, as an accredited Pan-African graduate-level institution, is dedicated to leading the transformation of governance in Africa,” Moghalu remarked.
The ASG campus, located at the former Rwanda Development Board headquarters in Gishushu Village, Gasabo District, is under construction and will welcome its first cohort of students in September 2025.
Minister Nsengimana expressed Rwanda’s pride in hosting the ASG, describing it as a testament to the country’s commitment to visionary governance.
“The ASG finds a natural home here in Rwanda—a country that reflects the very principles this institution seeks to cultivate. Hosting the ASG is our shared responsibility to contribute to Africa’s future by investing in the next generation of leaders,” Nsengimana said.
He emphasized the institution’s potential to transform Africa’s challenges into opportunities through leadership that embodies integrity and resilience.
“The challenges facing Africa today range from economic inequalities and climate change to issues of social justice, and they are undoubtedly complex. Yet, with the right leadership, grounded in integrity and guided by strong values, these challenges can be transformed into remarkable opportunities,” he added.
ASG will offer five distinguished academic programs designed for students and executives across Africa and globally, each tailored to build governance and leadership capacities in public administration.
The courses include the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA), General Executive Courses, the Young Leaders Program targeting high-potential recent graduates, and the Senior Leadership Fellowship.
Former Prime Minister Desalegn affirmed that admissions will be need-blind, with partnerships between governments and the private sector expected to pool resources to support students in need.
Rwanda’s Presidency has announced that the Heads of State discussed their continued commitment to the mutually beneficial cooperation between Rwanda and UAE and ‘the acceleration of sustainable development’.
Kagame arrived in the UAE on January 13, to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), which focuses on exploring ways to increase cooperation in addressing the impacts of climate change.
The opening ceremony which took place after discussions between the two leaders, also brought together other heads of state and government from various countries, policy-makers and sustainability industry leaders among others.
Speaking at the event, Kagame highlighted that the global sustainability agenda has not yet delivered on its promise, particularly for Africa.
He stressed the need to adopt affordable, scalable, and economically viable technology to fast-track development, while concurrently building a low-carbon economy.
During the opening, 11 winners of the 16th edition of the Zayed Sustainability Prize were recognized for their innovative sustainability solutions.
The governments of Rwanda and the UAE have long maintained excellent relations, with cooperation in key sectors of the economy.
The UAE has consistently been one of the top destinations for Rwandan exports.
A report by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda revealed that in the third quarter of 2024 (July-September), Rwandan exports to the UAE were valued at $446.51 million dollars.
The closures follow a directive from the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), which had previously announced that stations failing to meet quality standards or operating in wetlands would be shut down.
RURA’s Director General, Evariste Rugigana, assured the public that these closures will not lead to fuel shortages.
He emphasized that measures are in place to ensure uninterrupted services at nearby petrol stations.
This international stadium, with a seating capacity of 45,000, was officially inaugurated six months ago and began hosting matches in August 2024. These new developments mark a significant milestone for sports infrastructure in the region.
Reliable sources intimated to IGIHE that the installation of VAR equipment has been completed, with testing scheduled for February 2025. During the stadium’s renovation, dedicated spaces for advanced football officiating technology were allocated, ensuring compatibility with modern standards.
A senior official from Rwanda’s football governing body confirmed the progress but refrained from providing an exact completion timeline due to potential challenges in testing the system.
“The installation of VAR is ongoing, but I cannot confirm a specific date for its full operation. It’s better to announce once the system is fully functional and can be demonstrated,” the official said.
The official revealed that the Spider Camera will also be installed as planned. However, installation is just one part of the process; ensuring it works perfectly is equally important. “People should understand that such advancements require meticulous preparation,” he said.
With these technological upgrades, Amahoro stadium is poised to enhance the experience for both players and fans, further cementing its reputation as a leading sports facility in the region and beyond.
Dalyce, who was known as Momma D to her family, appeared in the likes of The Blues Brothers, The Ten Commandments and Lady Sings the Blues over the years.
Her granddaughter had dropped her off to her home at midnight on Tuesday after a long day of hospital appointments, and she left for the evening, but sadly it was confirmed the 95-year-old passed away.
When she woke up in the morning, Kelley saw a text that the power had gone out in her grandmother’s house and headed over to the Altadeana area. Tragically, an officer told her: “I’m sorry your grandmother’s property is gone. It totally burned down.”
“It was total devastation. Everything was gone except her blue Cadillac,” she recalled. However, it has now sadly been confirmed that her grandmother has died.
On Sunday, when the search was still underway, Kelley told Eyewitness News she was “still praying for a miracle”. She said: “Honestly we don’t feel very hopeful that she’s still here with us.”
Whilst the search was still on for Dalyce Curry, her granddaughter had paid tribute to her. She told KABC: “Our souls are aching; our hearts are broken. She loved Altadena. There is no one who loved that city more than my grandmother. She said she had yet began to live, so I knew she would just be here beyond 100. She still wanted to date, she wanted to find a husband.”
Loree Beamer-Wilkinson added: “She just loved life, and at 95 she was still very active. She looked beautiful – she took really good care of herself, she took great pride in who she was and who she represented — and she was an amazing grandmother. I felt so privileged to know this woman and to have her as my grandmother.”
This maiden event, themed “Africa Renaissance: Chapter One Coffee,” is scheduled to take place in Ntungamo, Uganda, from October 10 to 12, 2025.
The announcement was made during the AU Extraordinary Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), held in Kampala from January 9 to 11, 2025.
The summit, which hosted over 2,000 delegates from more than 40 AU member states, concluded with the adoption of the Kampala Declaration. This declaration lays out a strategic roadmap to transform Africa’s agricultural and food systems over the next decade.
Key priorities include boosting agricultural production by 45% by 2035, reducing post-harvest losses by half, and securing $100 billion in investments across the agricultural value chain.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni emphasized the importance of commercializing agriculture to drive prosperity. He urged households to adopt land-efficient practices and focus on value addition to increase productivity.
His remarks aligned with the CAADP’s objective for member states to allocate at least 10% of their national budgets to agriculture as a means of combating hunger and reducing poverty.
The Africa Coffee Festival aims to spotlight coffee’s role as a catalyst for economic growth and regional collaboration. Coffee, a key export for many African nations, offers immense potential to boost trade, create jobs, and encourage value addition across the continent.
The festival will bring together coffee producers, traders, and policymakers to explore opportunities for growth and innovation in the coffee sector.
Discussions at the summit also addressed critical challenges in Africa’s agricultural sector, including climate change, food insecurity, and the need for technological advancement.
Leaders highlighted the necessity of collaborative efforts involving governments, the private sector, and civil society to build resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
The launch of the Africa Coffee Festival and the adoption of the Kampala Declaration signify the AU’s commitment to transforming Africa’s agricultural landscape.
By prioritizing innovation, investment, and sustainability, the AU seeks to position Africa as a global leader in agriculture while securing food security and economic prosperity for its people.
