A Grand Vision

Africa is at the threshold of a new era and a fitting vision set to help Africa navigate through the 21st century-Vision 2063 is in the offing.

The seeds for the 50 year plan to create a prosperous and peaceful Africa were planted during the 6th Annual Meeting of the Ministers of Economy, Finance and Economic Development meeting in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, in March 2013. This plan also involved the African Development Bank and Economic Commission for Africa.

The three heads of the Institutions; Chair Person of Africa Union Commission (AUC) Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, President of African Development Bank (AfDB) Donald Kaberuka and Executive Secretary of United Nations Economic Commision for Africa (UNECA) Carlos Lopez, met at the Union’s Head Quarters in Addis Abeba to talk about the plan and agreed to work together to make it become a reality.

“It gives us a good point to just step back, and reflect on where Africa should be going in the next 50 years,” said the Chairperson

The plan strives to utilize natural resources so that Africans benefit from them; to make trade more efficient and common between African nations, to improve teaching skills and make it easier for young people to get jobs. It also hopes that by increasing knowledge of creative thinking, science and technology that the entire population will benefit.

With the right national policies in place, this vision can correct the failures of the past 50 years and achieve prosperity for Africa.

“The mainstream thinking now is that Africa is different and we could get it right if we want. The choice is fully ours, and it’s now time for us to define what we want,” said the AfDB President Kaberuka.
With the necessary investment in inter country infrastructure and regional integration, the continent also hopes to have open borders in 50 years.