Pan-African Parliament Advances AfCFTA Implementation, Institutional Financing and Women’s Rights Agenda

MIDRAND, South Africa — 29 July 2026: The Pan-African Parliament resumed plenary deliberations at the First Ordinary Session of its Seventh Legislature on Wednesday, with Members considering major reports on institutional financing, implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, women’s rights, education and continental integration.

The deliberations form part of the First Ordinary Session, which opened on 27 July 2026 at the Parliament’s headquarters in Midrand, South Africa. The Session has brought together legislators from across the continent to examine pressing African Union priorities and strengthen parliamentary oversight of the implementation of Agenda 2063.

At the centre of Wednesday’s proceedings were the execution of the Pan-African Parliament’s 2025 budget, implementation of its 2026 budget and the proposed budget for the 2027 financial year. Members also considered the report of an assessment mission to Ghana on the implementation of the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative and advocacy for the ratification of the African Union Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons.

Other items included reports from the PAP Women’s Caucus, the High-Level Parliamentary Dialogue on the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, and the joint AU-CIEFFA–OAFLAD initiative promoting girls’ education and women’s leadership.

PAP Committee Calls for Restoration of Parliament’s Financial Capacity

Presenting the report of the Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs, its Chairperson, Hon. Robert Nkili, informed the plenary that the Pan-African Parliament recorded an overall budget execution rate of 90 per cent in 2025.

The performance was presented as evidence of improved financial discipline and prudent management, achieved despite a significant decline in development-partner funding and continuing institutional resource constraints.

Hon. Nkili, however, emphasized that budget performance should not be assessed solely by the proportion of funds spent. He called for greater attention to institutional impact, measurable outcomes and value for money.

The Committee expressed concern that a substantial proportion of the Parliament’s resources continues to be absorbed by administrative and operational expenditure, leaving Permanent Committees and other statutory structures with insufficient resources to implement programmes, undertake oversight missions and engage effectively with African citizens.

Persistent funding constraints, the Committee warned, are affecting the Parliament’s ability to discharge its representative, oversight and evolving legislative responsibilities.

To improve the institution’s financial sustainability and effectiveness, the Committee recommended the adoption of a results-based budgeting framework aligned with Agenda 2063 and the African Union Strategic Plan. It also called for increased programme funding for Permanent Committees, caucuses and other statutory structures.

Additional recommendations included stronger audit and financial reporting mechanisms, the development of a comprehensive resource-mobilization strategy and sustained engagement with African Union policy organs to secure adequate, predictable and sustainable financing.

The Committee further tabled a draft resolution calling for the implementation of outstanding Executive Council decisions concerning the Pan-African Parliament, the restoration of its financial capacity and stronger institutional support.

The resolution reflects growing concern that the effectiveness of the continental Parliament cannot be separated from the resources placed at its disposal. Without adequate programme funding, the institution’s committees will remain constrained in their ability to scrutinize continental policies, conduct fact-finding and assessment missions, develop model laws and follow up the implementation of African Union decisions.

The debate also reinforced the argument that future allocations to the Parliament should be linked not only to administrative continuity but also to clearly defined programmes capable of producing tangible benefits for the people of Africa.

AfCFTA Moves from Continental Ambition to Practical Implementation

The Parliament also considered the report of its assessment mission to Ghana on the implementation of the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative and advocacy for the ratification of the African Union Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment.

The report of the Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters was presented to the plenary by Hon. Sen. John Bonds Bideri, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee.

It recognized Ghana’s progress in operationalizing the AfCFTA, expanding opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises and supporting regional economic integration.

Ghana was among the pioneer countries participating in the Guided Trade Initiative, which was launched in 2022 to facilitate commercially meaningful trade under the AfCFTA. A previous PAP assessment found that Ghanaian SMEs had begun exporting products to Kenya and other African markets with support from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority.

The Committee nevertheless identified continuing regulatory, infrastructural and administrative barriers that could limit the benefits of the continental free-trade framework.

It called for the harmonization of trade and product standards across Africa to prevent goods approved in one Member State from being subjected to costly and repetitive certification procedures in another.

The Committee also recommended:

·       Simplification and digitalization of customs and border procedures;

·       Stronger financial, technical and institutional support for SMEs;

·       Targeted assistance for women and young people participating in cross-border trade;

·       Modernization and expansion of One-Stop Border Posts;

·       Improved transport, logistics and trade-related infrastructure;

·       Ratification and domestication of the AU Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons; and

·       Stronger parliamentary oversight of AfCFTA implementation at national, regional and continental levels.

During the assessment mission, Ghanaian authorities stressed that the AfCFTA’s industrialization potential would depend on improved quality infrastructure, including standardization, accreditation, metrology and conformity-assessment systems.

The Committee reaffirmed that the free movement of goods cannot be fully achieved while the movement of traders, professionals, investors and workers remains restricted.

It therefore urged Member States that have not yet done so to ratify and domesticate the Free Movement Protocol and align their national immigration, labour and residency laws with the broader objectives of African integration.

The report underscored that removing barriers to trade and facilitating the movement of people are indispensable to Africa’s industrialization, economic transformation and the realization of Agenda 2063.

It also highlighted the role of national and regional parliaments in translating continental trade commitments into domestic legislation, scrutinizing government implementation and ensuring that the benefits of the AfCFTA reach SMEs, women, young people and communities operating outside traditional centres of economic power.

The deliberations demonstrated that the AfCFTA is gradually moving from a continental aspiration to an implementation phase in which measurable progress will depend on political commitment, legal harmonization, functioning border infrastructure and sustained parliamentary oversight.

Parliament Strengthens Action on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

Gender equality and the protection of women and girls also featured prominently in Wednesday’s proceedings.

The plenary considered the report of the High-Level Parliamentary Dialogue on the Ratification, Domestication and Accountability of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, known as AU-CEVAWG presented by Hon Rahab Mukami Wachira, Chairperson of the Women Caucus.

The dialogue, convened by the Pan-African Parliament in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the United Nations Population Fund and other continental stakeholders, brought together parliamentarians, government representatives, civil society organizations, experts and development partners.

Participants called for accelerated signature, ratification, domestication and implementation of the Convention, which was adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February 2025.

The report emphasized that adopting continental legal instruments must be followed by enforceable national laws, adequate budgetary allocations, effective institutions and mechanisms for monitoring compliance.

It also stressed the responsibility of parliamentarians to champion ratification in national legislatures, scrutinize government policies, promote gender-responsive budgeting and ensure accountability for violence and discrimination against women and girls.

The deliberations reinforced the position that ending gender-based violence requires more than criminal-law reform. It demands coordinated action addressing economic inequality, women’s political participation, access to justice, education, digital safety and the social conditions that perpetuate discrimination and abuse.

Women’s Caucus Reports on CSW70 Engagement

The PAP Women’s Caucus also presented its report on participation in the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

The report highlighted the importance of ensuring that African perspectives are effectively represented in global discussions on gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, political participation and the protection of women and girls.

Through its participation, the Caucus sought to strengthen parliamentary engagement with international gender commitments and promote their incorporation into national and continental legislative processes.

Members were encouraged to use their positions in national parliaments to advance gender-responsive legislation, promote women’s leadership and ensure that governments allocate sufficient resources to programmes addressing the needs of women and girls.

The Caucus further stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the Pan-African Parliament, national legislatures, African Union institutions, civil society and international partners.

Education and Women’s Leadership Placed at Centre of Development

The plenary also received the report of the workshop jointly organized by the African Union International Centre for Girls and Women’s Education in Africa and the Organization of African First Ladies for Development.

The AU-CIEFFA–OAFLAD engagement highlighted the relationship between access to quality education, women’s leadership and Africa’s long-term social and economic transformation.

The report called for stronger continental cooperation to eliminate barriers preventing girls from enrolling in, remaining in and completing school. These barriers include poverty, early marriage, gender-based violence, inadequate sanitation facilities, insecurity and discriminatory social practices.

It also urged African governments and parliaments to invest more consistently in education systems that prepare girls and young women for leadership, innovation and participation in science, technology and emerging sectors of the economy.

The initiative reflected a broader recognition that Africa cannot attain the objectives of Agenda 2063 while a substantial proportion of its female population continues to face unequal access to education, employment, public decision-making and economic opportunities.

PAP Delegation Participates in AU Executive Council Session

While the plenary deliberations continued in Midrand, a delegation of the Pan-African Parliament participated in the 49th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Representing the President of the Pan-African Parliament, H.E. Dr. Fateh Boutbig, the delegation was led by Hon. Djidda Mamar Mahamat, Third Vice-President of the Parliament.

He was accompanied by Hon. Salek Abderrahman Musa, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Audit and Public Accounts, and Hon. Therese Faye Diouf, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs.

The Executive Council Session opened on 28 July 2026 and brought together African Ministers of Foreign Affairs and other designated ministers to deliberate on strategic issues affecting the Union and the implementation of Agenda 2063.

Among the matters considered were the status of implementation of the AU’s 2026 Theme of the Year, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve Agenda 2063,” the report of the 52nd Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee and the report of the AU retreat on G20 engagements for 2026.

On the margins of the opening ceremony, Hon. Mahamat engaged with senior African Union officials, including the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

The participation of the PAP delegation provides an important opportunity for the continental Parliament to maintain direct engagement with the Executive Council at a time when Members are calling for the implementation of previous Council decisions relating to the Parliament’s budget, institutional capacity and operational effectiveness.

The Executive Council concluded its two-day session on 29 July 2026 following deliberations on the Union’s institutional, developmental and diplomatic priorities.

From Resolutions to Results

Wednesday’s proceedings brought together several dimensions of Africa’s integration and development agenda: sustainable institutional financing, continental trade, free movement, women’s rights, education and parliamentary accountability.

Although the subjects were presented through separate committee and caucus reports, they were linked by a common concern—the need to translate African Union commitments into practical and measurable results.

For the Pan-African Parliament, the challenge is twofold. It must strengthen oversight of Member States’ implementation of continental agreements while simultaneously securing the resources and institutional support required to perform that role effectively.

The budget debate therefore has implications beyond the internal administration of the Parliament. Adequate and predictable financing will determine whether PAP committees can conduct oversight missions, promote treaty ratification, support legislative harmonization and maintain sustained engagement with Africa’s citizens.

Similarly, the success of the AfCFTA will depend not merely on the removal of tariffs but on harmonized standards, modern borders, accessible financing, efficient logistics and the ability of Africans to move freely across the continent.

The gender-related reports also demonstrated that continental conventions and declarations will have limited impact unless they are ratified, domesticated, financed and subjected to sustained parliamentary scrutiny.

As the Seventh Legislature begins its work, the deliberations signal an effort to reposition the Pan-African Parliament as an institution focused not only on adopting resolutions but also on ensuring implementation, accountability and tangible improvements in the lives of the African people.