African Political Parties Adopt Addis Ababa Declaration on Governance and Economic Transformation

November 9, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

African political parties have adopted a continental declaration calling for stronger democratic institutions, industrial development and greater political accountability, concluding a three-day summit in Addis Ababa with plans to establish a new framework for cooperation among parties across the continent, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

The Addis Ababa Declaration, adopted at the Second African Political Parties Summit, identifies political leadership and policy choices as central to Africa's economic transformation. It calls on parties to support industrialisation, productive investment, technological development and job creation while strengthening public institutions and democratic governance.

One of the summit's main institutional outcomes was the adoption of the Charter of the African Political Parties Initiative (APPI) on November 6. The charter sets out the initiative's governing structure, institutional bodies and leadership arrangements within the Africa Governance Centre. Delegates also endorsed its inaugural bureau leadership for a three-year term.

The summit agreed to begin continent-wide consultations to develop APPI Agenda 2040, which is intended to establish common priorities and measurable targets for political, economic and institutional development. The proposed agenda is expected to complement the African Union's Agenda 2063 by encouraging political parties to translate continental development objectives into national programmes and policy commitments.

On economic policy, the declaration urges parties to prioritise manufacturing, agro-processing, modern agriculture, mineral beneficiation, digital industries and competitive services. It also calls for legislative and public support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), alongside measures to expand intra-African trade and strengthen regional supply chains.

The document further calls for investment in transport, logistics, energy and digital infrastructure, and affirms the right of African countries to determine how their natural resources are developed and used. It advocates greater domestic value addition so that resource wealth contributes more directly to national economies.

The declaration also highlights the need to mobilise domestic financial resources, deepen capital markets and strengthen development finance institutions. It calls for transparent public financial management, accountable allocation of resources and prudent debt governance, while urging fairer international economic partnerships and improved access to technology and development finance.

On governance, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to constitutional rule, political pluralism, the rule of law, fundamental rights and peaceful political competition. The declaration rejects unconstitutional changes of government and calls for professional public institutions capable of maintaining administrative continuity during political transitions.

It also encourages governing and opposition parties to engage on long-term national priorities, while emphasising the importance of preserving institutional knowledge and professional expertise when political leadership changes.

The declaration places particular emphasis on young people and women. It calls for greater investment in education, technical training, technology, entrepreneurship and employment, and reaffirms women's participation in political leadership, public administration and economic decision-making.

To develop political leadership and institutional capacity, the summit agreed to establish the Council of African Political Party Schools and Institutes (CAPPSI) and the Political Academy for Transformational Leadership (PATL) under the APPI framework.

It also welcomed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's pledge to support the establishment of PATL and make Ethiopia's leadership training opportunities available to political parties across Africa. The African Youth in Politics Forum and the Africa Women Political Leadership Summit were recognised as continuing platforms within the initiative.

The APPI bureau and its secretariat will oversee implementation of the declaration, facilitate exchanges of experience among political parties and submit periodic progress reports to future African Political Parties Summits.

Source: FSX Business News