African Union

AU Commission Chairperson Congratulates Navi Pillay on 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali, warmly congratulates Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a distinguished daughter of Africa and renowned South African jurist, on being awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her outstanding contributions to international justice, human rights and peace through international law.

The AUC Chairperson described the award as a well-deserved recognition of Ms. Pillay’s lifelong dedication to justice, human dignity and peace, noting that her remarkable contributions to international law and accountability constitute an enduring legacy for Africa and the world.

He highlighted Ms. Pillay’s distinguished career, from her struggle against apartheid in South Africa to her pioneering service at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Court and the United Nations. Her work advancing accountability for genocide, crimes against humanity and conflict-related sexual violence has helped strengthen the foundations of international justice.

The AUC Chairperson further underscored the significance of Ms. Pillay’s achievement for African women and girls, describing her as a source of pride for the continent and an inspiration to future generations. He noted that her career exemplifies the vital contribution of African women to global leadership, international institutions and the advancement of universal principles.

At a time when international law and multilateral institutions face mounting challenges, the AUC Chairperson observed that the award serves as a powerful reminder that lasting peace must be grounded in justice, accountability and respect for the rule of law. He reaffirmed that these principles remain central to the African Union’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, the protection of civilians and the realisation of the aspirations of Agenda 2063 for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Africa.

The AUC Chairperson reiterated the African Union’s determination to uphold international law, strengthen multilateral cooperation and advance its commitment to Silencing the Guns across the continent.

He joined the Government and people of South Africa, Africans across the continent and the diaspora in celebrating this exceptional recognition of a life devoted to justice, human dignity and peace.

Read @ au.int/en/pressreleas…

@NobelPrize

For most of a century, decisions about African health were made in rooms Africa did not sit in. That is changing.

Track 1 of #CPHIA2026, Elevating Africa as a leader in a reformed and inclusive global health architecture, asks what global health looks like when Africa helps design it. That means governance seats that carry votes, financing rules shaped with African finance ministers in the room, and norms, standards and data systems that start here.

Durban 2025 showed that the platform already exists and is African-led.
In November, the conversation moves to Addis Ababa.
Will you be joining us?

5th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2026)
🗓 23–27 November 2026 · Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
🔗 Register: lnkd.in/ewSu-TtU

Africa is ready. Are you?
#CPHIA2026 #AfricaIsReady

Congratulations to Navi Pillay, former International Criminal Court judge and distinguished South African jurist, on being awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless efforts to promote peace and international law. A remarkable recognition of a life dedicated to justice, human rights and the rule of law.

#Agenda2063 #TheAfricaWeWant

The African Union Commission, in collaboration with the government of the Republic of #Mozambique, is convening the International Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (ICDRR) and Resilience in Africa.

The Conference will take place in Maputo from 13-15 October 2026. H.E. President Daniel Chapo of the Republic of Mozambique is also the AU Champion of Disaster Risk Reduction.

The Conference will bring together Ministers, senior policymakers, technical experts, regional economic communities, national and subnational decisionmakers, development and financial institutions, academia, civil society, the private sector, and international partners to accelerate implementation of existing continental and global commitments.

More @ au.int/en/newsevent/i…

#Agenda2063 #DRR #ICDRR

HAPPENING TODAY
The next chapter of the African Union Youth Envoy is taking shape

Hear directly from the candidates as they share their vision, ideas and priorities for Africa’s young people.

Tune in LIVE today across all official @_AfricanUnion social media platforms.

#AUYouthEnvoy
#Agenda2063

African Union Commission Chairperson’s Youth Envoy Manifesto Presentation x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

This morning in Port Louis, Republic of #Mauritius, the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali, chaired a High-Level Roundtable on “Beyond AfCRA: Improving the Africa Risk Premium – The De-risking Africa Initiative.”

The Roundtable discussed the need for a broader & more coordinated approach to addressing Africa’s risk premium & improving the continent’s financing conditions.

Experts shared perspectives on Strengthening Africa’s financial architecture beyond the establishment of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA). The also addressed the Africa risk premium & its impact on the cost & availability of financing for African economies;

Participants included key African institutions and partners, including @APRMorg , ETIM, @ECA_OFFICIAL , UNOSSA, @afreximbank , @AfDB_Group , OSF & AAMFI.

Read @ au.int/en/pressreleas…

Speech of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali, at the Launch of the Africa Credit Rating Agency #AfCRA in Port Louis, #Mauritius

📣 The next chapter of the @_AfricanUnion Youth Envoy is taking shape!

🎙️ Hear directly from the candidates.

🌍 Discover their vision for youth leadership.

📲 Watch LIVE across all official African Union social media platforms.
📅 8 October 2026


#AUYouthEnvoy #1mNL

AU Commission Chairperson Helps Officially Launch Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA)

This evening in St. Louis, #Mauritius, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, joined H.E. Dhananjay Ramful, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius; H.E. Dr. Jyoti Jeetun, Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning of Mauritius; H.E. Nestor Ntahontuye, Prime Minister of the Republic of Burundi; H.E. Ahunna Eziakonwa, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UN Special Adviser for Africa; and H.E. Denys Denya, Executive Vice President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), alongside members of the private sector and the diplomatic community, for the official launch of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA).

Earlier in the day, the Chairperson briefed the media ahead of the launch, describing AfCRA as an important milestone in Africa’s efforts to strengthen its financial architecture, advance economic sovereignty and ensure that African economies are assessed with greater depth, context and independence.

He @ymahmoudali expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Mauritius for hosting AfCRA, noting that the choice of Mauritius was not accidental. The country’s financial and economic development, established international financial centre, regulatory framework and connectivity with African and global markets make it a valuable platform for this continental initiative.

Addressing why AfCRA and why now, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf stressed that Africa is building a stronger and more resilient financial architecture, with AfCRA set to become an important pillar. The agency will provide African and international investors, as well as economic partners, with reliable, independent and technically rigorous analysis of African economies and credit risk.

He underscored that credit ratings directly affect the cost and availability of capital. Where assessments do not sufficiently reflect African data, realities and context, countries can face higher borrowing costs, constraining their ability to finance infrastructure, health, education, energy, industrialisation and other development priorities, at a time when many Member States are already facing significant debt-servicing pressures.

AfCRA, he explained, will help address information and analytical gaps by bringing African data, expertise and realities more fully into the assessment process. It is not intended to replace existing international credit-rating agencies, shield borrowers from scrutiny or guarantee favourable ratings. Rather, it will provide an additional, independent and Africa-focused perspective to the market.

The Chairperson stressed that AfCRA’s credibility will depend on its independence, professionalism, transparency and adherence to internationally recognised standards. Its ratings must be evidence-based and free from political considerations and conflicts of interest. At the same time, African countries must continue strengthening macroeconomic management, fiscal responsibility, transparency and debt sustainability.

The initiative, he noted, is fully aligned with the ambitions of Agenda 2063 and Africa’s pursuit of greater self-reliance and financial sovereignty. A stronger African financial architecture is essential to mobilising the resources required to transform African economies and advance sustainable development.
Speaking alongside the Chairperson,
H.E. Dr. Jyoti Jeetun described AfCRA’s launch as a landmark moment for Mauritius and Africa, highlighting its potential to reinforce Africa’s financial architecture, deepen capital markets and strengthen the continent’s capacity to mobilise capital for development. She underscored Mauritius’ commitment to serving as a platform connecting capital with African opportunities, including in infrastructure, renewable energy, telecommunications, healthcare and agribusiness, while stressing that AfCRA’s independence, professionalism and robust methodology will be critical to building market confidence.

H.E. Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, CEO of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), provided the institutional context behind AfCRA, recalling that the AU endorsed its establishment in 2017 and that the APRM was subsequently entrusted with supporting the process of translating that decision into an operational institution.

She highlighted the APRM’s contribution to generating evidence on limitations and biases in the assessment of African sovereign risk; developing AfCRA’s technical, operational and institutional framework; strengthening Member States’ understanding of credit-rating methodologies; and establishing governance arrangements to safeguard its analytical and operational independence.

The APRM CEO emphasised that credibility will be AfCRA’s greatest asset. Its ratings must be evidence-based, transparent, technically rigorous and independent. She called on African governments and institutions to provide accurate and timely information, while encouraging investors, financial institutions and the media to scrutinise AfCRA’s work rigorously.

At the official launch, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf described the establishment of AfCRA as a watershed moment in Africa’s economic history and a significant step towards strengthening the continent’s financial sovereignty.

He acknowledged the leadership of AfCRA, H.E. Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre and the APRM team, as well as AU policy organs, African financial institutions, the African Development Bank, the United Nations and other partners whose commitment and support have contributed to bringing AfCRA to fruition.

The Chairperson underscored that Africa must become a leading participant in shaping the evolving global economic and financial order. AfCRA will contribute to this objective by strengthening African capacity, improving understanding of economic trends, providing objective assessments of risks associated with African economies and contributing to the work of Africa’s shared financial institutions.

He stressed that Africa must meet global standards while ensuring that its economies are assessed through greater access to African data, expertise and economic realities. AfCRA is therefore not about seeking favourable ratings, but about ensuring credible, independent and context-sensitive assessments that contribute to a more balanced global financial architecture.

He further noted that perceptions of African risk have consequences for the cost of capital and the continent’s ability to mobilise resources for development. African institutions therefore have a responsibility to advocate for the interests of African economies and help address structural challenges in global financial markets.

The Chairperson commended the APRM, AU institutions, African financial institutions, development partners and other stakeholders for their sustained efforts in establishing AfCRA, and congratulated Mauritius for its leadership and for providing a conducive environment for this important continental institution.

The official launch of AfCRA marks another step towards an Africa that is more confident, economically sovereign and better positioned to shape its own narrative and destiny.

Read @ au.int/en/pressreleas…

@APRMorg

🔴 LIVE TODAY | AfCRA OFFICIAL LAUNCH
Join us today at 5:00 PM Mauritius time for the historic launch of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA). 🌍🇲🇺

▶️ Watch LIVE on YouTube⁠: Kindly see the youtube link

youtube.com/live/P1yIzj9Na…

#AfCRA

" The African Union is taking concrete steps to strengthen Africa's financial sovereignty and reshape the continent's financial architecture.

The launch of the African Credit Rating Agency (#AfCRA) marks an important historic milestone towards developing transparent, independent, credible, and Africa-focused credit assessments that better reflect the continent's economic realities and investment potential, while addressing longstanding concerns about structural biases in global credit assessments.

Africa is investable. Africa is bankable. Africa is ready to define its own financial future.

Congratulations to the APRM Secretariat for this major milestone on behalf of the Union."

- H.E Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, @DCP_Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission

@APRMorg

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission, was received today by H.E. Mrs Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie, Acting Prime Minister & Minister of Gender Equality and Family of #Mauritius, during his working visit.

The Chairperson @ymahmoudali expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality & highlighted Mauritius’ well-developed financial services & trade infrastructure as an appropriate setting for the launch of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA).

Their discussions underscored AfCRA’s role in strengthening Africa’s financial architecture, improving access to capital & reducing borrowing costs. They reaffirmed that  that AfCRA will complement existing international agencies, drawing on Africa’s expertise, data & technological capacity.

The Acting Prime Minister welcomed AfCRA & the AfCFTA, & briefed the Chairperson on Mauritius’ hosting of the Africa Centre for Arbitration. 

The Chairperson commended Mauritius’ contribution to advancing Africa’s economic integration & investment environment.

Read @ au.int/en/pressreleas…

@PMOMauritius
@Ramgoolam_Dr
@EDBMauritius

During his working visit to the Republic of #Mauritius, the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, held fruitful meeting this morning with H.E. Mr. Jean Yvan Robert Hungley, Acting President of the Republic of Mauritius,

The Chairperson @ymahmoudali expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to him & his delegation during their visit.

During the meeting, the Chairperson commended Mauritius for its political stability, democratic institutions, economic transformation & strong culture of institutional credibility, describing the country as an inspiring example for Africa.

Discussions focused on Africa’s peace & security landscape, the implementation of Agenda 2063 & the continent’s vast economic potential, particularly its young & growing population. They agreed that, with Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, creating jobs, expanding opportunities and investing in Africa’s youth remain central to building a stable, integrated & prosperous continent.

The meeting also highlighted the strategic importance of Mauritius as a bridge between Africa & Asia. They  addressed the need to strengthen connectivity, port infrastructure, logistics, trade & regional supply chains, while advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area & removing barriers to intra-African commerce.

The Chairperson welcomed Mauritius’ contribution to strengthening Africa’s economic & financial architecture, including through the launch of the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), an initiative aimed at strengthening the credibility of African economies through reliable African data & analysis, while enhancing investor confidence.

Chairperson Youssouf also reaffirmed the AU’s solidarity with Mauritius on the Chagos issue, stressing the importance of completing the process of implementation.

Tourism, the blue economy & air connectivity were also discussed as important avenues for strengthening continental integration & people-to-people exchanges.

They reaffirmed the shared commitment of the AU & Mauritius to advancing a more integrated, connected & prosperous Africa; one that harnesses its resources, creates opportunities for its people & takes its rightful place in the global economy.

Read @ au.int/en/pressreleas…

The African Union is inviting young African creatives to design the official logo and visual identity for the AU Theme of the Year 2027.

Your design won't just sit in a portfolio. It will represent a continent of 1.4 billion people, appearing across AU summits, campaigns, publications and platforms throughout 2027 and beyond.

Bring your creativity
Reflect Africa's spirit
See your work on the continental stage

Deadline: 23rd oct, 2026
🔗 Submit here: au.int/en/newsevents/…

TODAY, we make history.

The African Peer Review Mechanism proudly marks the official launch of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) today in Port Louis, Mauritius.

AfCRA represents a defining step towards strengthening Africa’s financial sovereignty — bringing an independent African perspective to credit ratings, grounded in the continent’s realities, data and development priorities.

A significant milestone for Africa. The day has arrived.

📍 Port Louis, Mauritius
📅 7 October 2026

#AfCRA #APRM #AfricanUnion #Africa

Thirty-three years ago, African governments were told they were not capable. They built @Afreximbank anyway: a bank owned by Africans, governed by Africans and answerable to Africans.

At the Alamein Africa Forum, I called on our leaders to stand behind the institution they created. Ownership carries the responsibility to keep capitalising our institutions, honour the treaties that protect them and defend them collectively.

Our shareholders have demonstrated that commitment, again and again, in cash, often when their own budgets were under pressure. Their support has enabled us to keep financing African economies when others withdrew. When Africa needs its bank, its bank must be there.

That record deserves to be assessed accurately. Credit ratings should measure substance, not conformity.

I thank President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Government of Egypt for hosting us and for standing with Afreximbank since its earliest years. Egypt gave this Bank a home when it was untested and widely doubted.

We must now build on what we have created: African institutions that can mobilise African savings, finance African trade and invest in African businesses and infrastructure at the scale our continent requires.

When the world retreats, Africa must not.

Watch my address in full: youtu.be/am73EDC1QbU

Representing H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, @DCP_Haddadi Deputy Chairperson, participated in the opening ceremony of the African Seed Summit, held on 6 October 2026 in the Kingdom of Eswatini, graced by His Majesty King Mswati III. The ceremony brought together African Union leadership, the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and key stakeholders, ahead of the Ministerial Session.

Held under the theme “Resilient Seed Systems for a Food-Secure Africa,” the Summit reflected the African Union’s commitment, in line with the Executive Council’s decision, to deepen engagement and investment in Africa’s seed sector.

It underscored a fundamental truth: Africa’s food security begins with the seed. Building resilient and productive agricultural systems requires sustained investment, innovation, stronger institutions and, above all, effective implementation.

We must move beyond policies on paper to ensure that quality seed reaches farmers. Progress should be measured not only by the commitments made, but by their tangible impact on farmers’ fields, livelihoods and communities.

The Summit therefore provides an important platform to renew our collective commitment to resilient seed systems and to translate that commitment into concrete actions, investments and measurable results that empower farmers and strengthen the continent’s agricultural resilience.

Read @ au.int/en/pressreleas…

African Union Inaugural Africa Seed Summit x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

African Union Inaugural Africa Seed Summit x.com/i/broadcasts/1…