PAP holds Two-Day Validation Workshop for the Pan-African Parliament 2025-2028 Strategic Plan

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) held a critical two-day validation workshop from November 1-2, 2024, at its headquarters in Midrand, South Africa, bringing together its members to finalize and validate the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan. The workshop was held to fine-tune the 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, setting the path for the continental body’s role in the African Union’s (AU) broader goals under Agenda 2063. This event marked a key phase in the strategic planning process, bringing together Members of Parliament (MPs) and other key stakeholders for collaborative discussions on legislative alignment, strategic priorities, and effective governance.

Day 1: Setting the Vision and Strategic Direction

The workshop began with remarks by Hon. Djidda Mahamat, PAP’s Fourth Vice President, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning to ensure the effective follow-up of AU policies and represent African citizens across the continent. PAP President, H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, underscored PAP’s role in driving Africa's integration and legislative harmonization, highlighting the need for a strategic plan aligned with Agenda 2063’s Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan. His address emphasized the importance of PAP’s mandate to enhance economic development and citizen participation.\

Consultant’s Presentation on Strategic Objectives and Methodology

Professor Benon Basheka, the Strategic Plan Consultant, presented a comprehensive overview of the draft strategic plan. His presentation was divided into six sections, covering PAP's historical trajectory, the methodology, stakeholder feedback, situational assessments, and proposed strategic objectives. These objectives include:

1. Development and Promotion of Model Laws: Aiming to harmonize legislation on key issues across African states.
2. Oversight of AU Policies and Budgets: Enhancing accountability within the Union’s governance framework.
3. Promotion of AU Instrument Ratification: Encouraging member states to adopt and integrate AU frameworks into national laws.
4. Institutional Capacity Building: Strengthening PAP’s operational efficiency and financial sustainability

Professor Basheka also presented a draft strategy map, illustrating PAP's commitment to advancing integration, economic development, and inclusive governance in line with Agenda 2063. The consultant emphasized how these goals would enable PAP to enhance legal harmonization, particularly across areas of regional cooperation.

Alignment with Agenda 2063

Madam Botho Kebabonye Bayendi, Director of African Union Commission’s Office of Strategic Planning and Delivery, followed with a presentation on aligning the draft strategy with the African Union's Agenda 2063. She highlighted the "Seven Aspirations" of Agenda 2063, a visionary framework for Africa's growth, encompassing goals such as socio-economic development, democratic governance, and strong global presence. Bayendi noted that collaborative approaches with national and regional parliaments would be essential to support Agenda 2063’s goals and stressed the need for harmonization of policies among member states.

According to Madam Bayendi “In 2033, ten years from now, we want every AU member state to have attained middle income. This is not a baseless or dangerously ambitious target. We have to work for it. It will not happen to us.We are sensitive to the fact that Africa is often viewed as corrupt and poor, yet it attracts the very people who perpetuate these views. Let us awaken the positives that Africa has to offer. There is no partner who can come to Africa saying, 'I have money for the priorities of Africa.' For Africa’s priorities to align, sustainable and predictable funding must be by Africa, for Africa, and for African solutions. As the Pan-African Parliament, in your oversight responsibility, you should care about management of funding...and ensure that Africa’s citizens are the primary beneficiaries of AU’s efforts."

Plenary Debates and Key Discussions

Legislative Authority and Strategic Focus

• Hon. Mariam Dao Gabala (Côte d'Ivoire) advocated for prioritizing legislative empowerment for PAP to ensure meaningful contributions to Agenda 2063, focusing on legal harmonization over public sensitization.
• Hon. Pupurai Togarepi (Zimbabwe) highlighted PAP’s resource limitations and lack of collaboration with AU bodies, suggesting a task force or retreat with AU organs to clarify roles and secure alignment.
• Hon. Prof. Margaret Kamar (Kenya) emphasized realistic, measurable goals and citizen participation, advocating for stronger inter-parliamentary diplomacy and financial transparency to bolster self-funded development.

Financial Stability and Legislative Empowerment

• Hon. Alhagie Mbow (Gambia) underscored the need for African nations to assume responsibility for funding and called for clear performance indicators to measure progress.
• Hon. Amina Ali Idriss (Chad) raised concerns over PAP’s “ailing” state due to limited legislative power and funding, stressing the urgent need for robust resources to address insecurity and conflict across Africa.
• Hon. Suwaibou Touray (Gambia) stressed integrating PAP’s strategic plan with the AU and recommended focusing on critical priorities such as food security and climate change.
• Hon. Salek Abderrahman Musa (Sahrawi Republic) questioned the feasibility of implementing the strategic plan without adequate funding and legislative authority, advocating for both to ensure the plan’s success.

Day 2: Refining the Draft through Plenary and Committee Sessions

The second day of the workshop was structured to encourage deeper engagement through plenary and committee-specific breakout sessions. The day's objectives focused on gathering insights from various PAP committees to refine the strategic priorities specific to their mandates​

Plenary and Breakout Sessions

The morning session began with a plenary discussion, allowing members to share their initial feedback on the draft strategy. Following this, committees conducted breakout sessions where they reviewed the strategic plan's relevance to their specific functions. Each committee identified key focus areas and proposed adjustments to ensure the strategic plan addressed diverse needs within PAP.

Discussions within the committees focused on the need for resource mobilization, fostering a culture of accountability, and integrating technology and innovation. Members raised concerns about PAP's limited legislative powers and suggested strengthening its collaboration with other AU organs. They also emphasized the importance of enhancing citizen participation and recommended increasing missions to accelerate the ratification of AU instruments​

Workshop Outcomes and Next Steps

The workshop concluded with a final plenary session where each committee presented their recommendations. The consultant and expert facilitators then worked to integrate these insights into a cohesive strategic framework. The refined draft is now set to be reviewed for adoption during the upcoming PAP plenary session.

Key outcomes from the workshop include:

• Consensus on Strategic Priorities: A shared understanding and agreement on the strategic objectives, enhancing commitment among MPs.
• Enhanced Institutional Capacity and Citizen Engagement: Emphasis on strengthening PAP’s internal capacity to fulfill its mandate effectively and to foster a people-centered approach.
• Alignment with Agenda 2063: Clear alignment with the AU’s goals, particularly those in Agenda 2063, establishing PAP as a pivotal body for Africa’s socio-economic development

The Pan-African Parliament’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan Validation Workshop highlighted the institution’s resolve to advance Africa’s integration and democratic governance. Through collaborative review and strategic alignment with the AU’s Agenda 2063, PAP is poised to emerge as a stronger legislative body that effectively addresses Africa’s most pressing issues. As the strategic plan moves towards formal adoption, PAP remains dedicated to upholding its mandate of championing the voices of African citizens and advancing the continent’s socio-economic growth and stability.