The African Union Commission (AUC) and the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) are to strengthen their collaboration towards achieving mutual goals in the AU 2024 Agenda for education.
GABI is a global platform that connects leaders to drive and invest in Africa’s economic growth while the AU 2024 Agenda for education seeks to build resilient education systems for better outcomes.
Consequently, the two parties have signed letters of Intent to establish broader and longer term partnership in line with Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Chief of Inter-governmental Relations and Africa, United Nations (UN) Global Compact, Ms Tolulope Lewis Tamoka, signed on behalf of GABI, while Mr Albert M. Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry of the AUC, signed on behalf of the Commission.
This was witnessed by the AU Permanent Observer Mission to the UN, Ms Fatima Kyari Mohammed, the UN Resident Coordinator to Ghana, Mr Charles Abani, and the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), Dr Benedict Okeychukwu Oramah.
Speaking at the signing ceremony which took place during the AU 6th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in Accra, at the weekend, Mr Abani said the collaboration was very critical to the development of the continent.
He said the private sector was crucial for the AU in achieving the 2063 agenda as well as the SDGs which included developing the continent’s food systems; improving accessibility, efficiency and affordability of energy.
In addition, he said, the agenda also included, digital transformation and the opportunities; leveraging the private sector for jobs, creativity and strong social protection; education and addressing climate change.
Ms Mohammed said the establishment of the letters of intent was a positive milestone towards institutionalising GABI and solidifying strong working relations with the UN.
She said GABI had become a huge platform for foreign engagement with the private sector which called for deliberative actions in all sectors of the African economy.
Ms Mohammed said it would require strategic and deliberate action to force opportunities within the private sector towards achieving Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.
“We need to be deliberate in our actions to be inclusive to ensure all sectors of the society benefit in order for growth to be sustainable. We need to be deliberate when it comes to investment and focused in ensuring human capital development for education, and trading as well as investment in healthcare and critical infrastructure,” she said.
Mr Muchanga said the signing of the letters of intent would lead to the consolidation of engagements between the two parties and ensure prosperity for the continent.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL
