The African Union commemorated Africa Day 2025 with a renewed call to justice, unity, and shared progress. Speaking on behalf of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AUC, delivered a stirring address that reflected on Africa’s historic journey while calling for bold steps toward a just and prosperous future.
This year’s theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” honours the memory of those who suffered under slavery and colonialism, while asserting the right of Africa and its diaspora to truth, justice, and restoration. “While justice and reparations remain long overdue,” the Chairperson affirmed, “Africa will not be held hostage by the pain of its past.”
He continued: “Africa continues to sacrifice and strive towards freedom from conflict, underdevelopment, and war. The continent is steadily building a future of peace, prosperity, and integration.”
Youssouf highlighted Africa’s strategic assets: a youthful and growing population, vast arable land, rich mineral wealth, and abundant renewable energy potential. With its population expected to exceed 2.5 billion by 2050, Africa is not only the continent of the future—it is the engine of global transformation.
The Chairperson also noted the resilience of African economies, with many countries achieving macroeconomic gains and even double-digit growth prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. He commended the dynamism of African youth and women, who are leading community transformation and innovation across the continent.
Africa’s evolving role in global governance was a central focus of the address. The continent’s membership in the G20 was hailed as both “a well-deserved participation” and a “global recognition of Africa’s importance.”
“It is our duty as Africans,” he said, “to safeguard our resources and prioritise value addition through transformative initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Africa must no longer be an afterthought in global geopolitics.”
In conclusion, the Chairperson issued a resounding call to action:
“Let us reaffirm our shared values and take rightful ownership of our future on the global stage. Pan-Africanism was forged through the dreams and determination of our people—but also through strategic foresight. Let us honour that legacy with bold, united action.”
As Africa Day 2025 is marked across the continent and in the diaspora, the African Union calls on all Africans to stand tall in their identity, to pursue justice with courage, and to shape the continent’s future with confidence and pride.
The Africa Day 2025 commemoration seeks to:
Promote the AU 2025 Theme of the Year, positioning reparations and historical redress within AU frameworks for peacebuilding, development, and global advocacy.
Facilitate high-level dialogue on innovative and implementable policy pathways for achieving reparatory justice for Africans and people of African descent.
Celebrate Africa’s diverse cultural heritage as both a repository of memory and a dynamic driver of healing, innovation, and sustainable development.
Foster intergenerational and diaspora dialogues that bridge past struggles with future aspirations, allowing youth, artists, civil society, and thought leaders to co-create inclusive narratives of justice, identity, and transformation.
Reaffirm Member States’ commitment to Pan-African solidarity, resilience, and the cultural and intellectual revival of the continent.
The commemorative event on the 25th of May 2025 brought together Representatives from AU Member State, the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC); the African Union Commission, AU Organs and AU Specialized Agencies; Regional Economic Communities (RECs); Women and Youth representatives; Civil Society Organisations; Development Partners; UN Agencies; Diaspora community and media representatives.
