Africa’s Leaders Head to Addis Ababa for the 39th AU Summit: What to Expect

The African Union (AU) is set to hold its 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government from 14 – 15 February 2026 at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the political capital of continental diplomacy and governance. These pivotal sessions will be preceded by the 51st Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) from 12 – 30 January 2026, followed by the 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council from 11 – 12 February 2026. Together, these meetings form the formal statutory architecture of the AU’s annual policy-setting and decision-making cycle, culminating in the Assembly’s endorsement of continental priorities for the year and beyond.

Structured Statutory Preparations: From PRC to Heads of State

51st Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC)

Date: 12 – 30 January 2026

The PRC, composed of the AU Member States’ permanent representatives (ambassadors to the AU), serves as the technical and preparatory organ for both the Executive Council and the Assembly. During this extended statutory session, representatives will review and refine draft reports, harmonize positions on agenda items, and prepare recommendations on strategic policy, institutional reform, peace and security priorities, and socio-economic frameworks for consideration by ministers and heads of state. The PRC’s work is foundational to ensuring that key policy documents and decisions presented at the Executive Council and Assembly benefit from thorough analysis and alignment among Member States.

48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council

Date: 11 – 12 February 2026

The Executive Council, comprised of foreign affairs ministers or appointed representatives from AU Member States, deliberates on the outcomes of the PRC session and further develops the draft decisions and declarations that will be forwarded to the Assembly. This ministerial forum bridges the technical work of the PRC and the political deliberations of Heads of State and Government, ensuring alignment of the AU’s strategic direction with Member States’ priorities ahead of the Summit.

39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly

Date: 14 – 15 February 2026

The Assembly of the African Union, the AU’s supreme organ composed of all Heads of State and Government of the 55 Member States is where final political decisions are made and endorsed. The 39th Ordinary Session will provide the platform for Member States to adopt key decisions on peace and security, governance, socio-economic integration, continental development frameworks (including Agenda 2063 priorities), institutional reform, and the AU’s strategic partnerships.

Expected Core Focus Areas and Strategic Priorities

Although official documents detailing the full Summit agenda will be released closer to the dates, the preparatory context and ongoing policy processes suggest a number of key themes that are likely to shape deliberations at the 39th Summit:

1. Continental Policy and Agenda 2063 Implementation

The Assembly will be expected to solidify strategic orientations on the implementation of Agenda 2063, the AU’s long-term development blueprint for transforming Africa into a peaceful, prosperous, integrated, and inclusive continent. Decisions are anticipated on accelerating priority flagship projects, enhancing intra-African trade under the AfCFTA, and strengthening institutional frameworks for continental integration and cooperation.

2. Peace, Security, and Governance

Peace, security, and stability remain core pillars of AU action. The Summit is likely to review reports on conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms across hotspots, updates on the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), and resolutions on governance issues. These discussions will shape the AU’s collective response to ongoing crises and emerging threats. Preparatory work from senior officials and ministers underscores the political urgency of advancing justice and conflict resolution agendas leading into the Assembly session.

3. Socio-Economic Development and Human Capital

The Summit will also focus on socio-economic development, health systems strengthening, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and digital transformation, core areas linked to both Agenda 2063 and ongoing continental priorities. Given the AU’s emphasis on inclusive growth and sustainable development, Member States will consider policy frameworks that reinforce resilience and equitable opportunities for Africa’s burgeoning youth population.

4. Institutional and Financial Reforms

Institutional reform, including sustainable financing mechanisms for the AU and operationalizing reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency and impact is expected to remain on the agenda. Ministerial recommendations on institutional realignment, strengthened governance systems, and financial sustainability will be presented to the Assembly for political endorsement.

Media Participation and Summit Coverage

The African Union Commission (AUC) Information and Communication Directorate has opened online registration for journalists to cover both the Executive Council and Assembly sessions on the official AU accreditation platform. This facilitates broad media engagement, with accredited journalists able to report on open sessions physically at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa.

Significance of the 39th AU Summit

The 39th AU Summit represents a critical nexus of technical preparation, ministerial refinement, and high-level political decision-making. In bringing together AU Member States’ permanent representatives, ministers, and heads of state and government in a coordinated statutory sequence, the Summit is designed to ensure that the AU’s policies reflect shared continental aspirations and deliver tangible outcomes for the people of Africa.

As the AU prepares to convene these sessions in early 2026, continental leaders and stakeholders will be watching closely for strategic decisions that shape the trajectory of Africa’s development agenda, institutional effectiveness, and collective responses to shared challenges in peace, security, and prosperity.