7 Legislative Priorities Set by Pan-African Parliament to Drive Africa’s Progress
In reinforcing Africa’s legislative unity and operational coherence, the Twelfth Conference of African National and Regional Parliaments, convened by the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) in September, agreed on seven ambitious objectives to streamline and empower Africa’s legislative framework for the year 2024-2025. These 7 objectives outlined in the conference communique [PDF] are an outcome of presentations and discussions on the agenda of the conference as follows:
- Education for a New Era
- Driving Agenda 2063 Forward
- Supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
- Building Africa’s Health Resilience
- Responding to Climate Change
- Strengthening Pan-African Parliamentary Structures
- Implementing AU Institutional Reforms
The resolutions from this gathering set a clear direction for a unified African legislative agenda for the year 0224-2025, affirming that Africa’s integration and self-sufficiency lie in a robust, responsive legislative system. Through such cohesion and a clear vision, African parliamentarians are can successfully navigate the continent’s most pressing challenges and advocate for a secure, prosperous future for all African citizens.
Education Reform for an Inclusive Future
Under the AU’s focus on education, the speakers underscored the need for laws that guarantee inclusive and equitable access to quality education. Emphasizing the importance of indigenous knowledge, technology integration, and mental health, Speakers of Parliament agreed on a comprehensive teacher training and curriculum development as steps toward fostering relevant learning across the continent. Through partnerships with international organizations and the private sector, the objective is to establish a framework that makes education accessible and relevant to all Africans, empowering future generations.
Advancing Agenda 2063: A Call for Legislative and Financial Support
Acknowledging the progress and challenges related to Agenda 2063, Africa’s developmental blueprint, the speakers emphasized building awareness of Agenda 2063 across member states. They agreed that African parliaments must favour investing in citizen education, as well as critical sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, and regional integration, to ensure meaningful progress toward the ambitious goals of the agenda. This also creates the necessity for Agenda 2063 committees within their national and regional parliaments to enhance monitoring and evaluation.
Supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
With the AfCFTA as a focal point for Africa’s economic integration, the leaders of parliaments agreed on increased advocacy and legislative support to ease intra-African trade. Proposed measures include developing robust oversight mechanisms, investing in infrastructure to reduce logistics costs, and fostering private-sector participation in regional projects. The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) was agreed upon as a highly recommended fintech solution to simplify transactions and reduce dependence on international currencies like the U.S. dollar.
Health Resilience and Pandemic Preparedness
Recognizing the critical lessons learned from recent health crises, the Speakers agreed to urge member states to develop legislation that supports health resilience. Key recommendations included establishing early surveillance systems, investing in healthcare infrastructure, and prioritizing equitable access to health services across populations. African Union’s Africa CDC was also lauded for its swift response to emerging health threats, and its role in strengthening healthcare systems was emphasized as central to future pandemic preparedness.
Climate Change Adaptation and COP 29 Goals
In view of the impending COP 29 climate conference, African legislators called for increased climate financing and support for adaptation projects, specifically in vulnerable communities. Legislative action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adopt clean energy, and promote sustainable practices was urged. The conference underscored the importance of regional cooperation to address cross-border climate issues and prepare Africa for environmental challenges.
Institutional Reform and Strengthening of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP)
In light of Africa’s political and economic landscape, the speakers agreed on the need to reform PAP’s mandate, bolstering its authority in legislative matters across the continent. Enhanced coordination and communication with national and regional parliaments were deemed essential for a cohesive approach to implementing AU objectives. Also requested from Speakers was increased resource allocation for PAP in order to empower it as a central legislative body for Africa.
