A Thriving Africa: Driving Global Justice And Development

From February 12 to 16, African leaders will gather in Ethiopia’s capital for the annual African Union (AU) summit, with the election of the AU Commission’s (AUC) senior leadership set to be the highlight of this year’s event.

The upcoming AUC election, which includes the positions of  Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and six commissioners, will inject fresh impetus to the continent’s implementation of Agenda 2063 and the journey towards an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.

Other priorities such as Africa’s socio-economic development, peace and security and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), will also be discussed during the summit.

This year’s theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” underscores a collective commitment of African nations to advocating for justice and recognition.

For centuries, people of African descent have endured some of the most egregious human rights violations in history, including slavery, colonial exploitation, apartheid, systemic racism and economic marginalization. It is estimated that between 25 and 30 million Africans were forcibly uprooted and sold into slavery.

The slave trade generated immense wealth for Western countries, playing a pivotal role in their early capital accumulation. It exposed the brutality and bloodshed inherent in the Western model of modernization. This exploitation entrenched political and racial hierarchies that continue to sustain inequality today.

African leaders, inspired by the principles of Pan-Africanism, are now forging their own path toward development. This approach moves away from Western-dominated economic frameworks and instead prioritizes self-sufficiency through regional integration and strategic partnerships with the Global South.

Last year, in his address commemorating the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of the AU, AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat reaffirmed Africa’s resolve to shape its own future. Having broken free from the chains of colonialism and apartheid, the continent now stands equipped with vast intellectual, scientific and cultural resources, determined to harness its potential for social justice, equality and inclusive prosperity.

This Pan-African vision has long fueled national liberation movements across the continent, and today it remains a driving force behind Africa’s modernization and regional integration. As the AU prepares to elect new leadership at this year’s summit, this commitment to self-determination will continue to shape the continent’s trajectory.

With the Global South emerging as a powerful force reshaping the world order, Africa needs to seize this moment to stand in unity with its partners, asserting its autonomy and solidifying its role in global governance.

The expansion of BRICS, with the addition of Ethiopia and Egypt as members, highlights Africa’s growing influence in shaping multilateral cooperation. Similarly, the AU’s entry into the G20 as a full member underscores its commitment to advocating for a fairer international financial system. South Africa’s current G20 presidency, under the theme of “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” signals Africa’s rising role in global governance.

To achieve self-reliance and economic independence, African nations are actively advancing regional integration, with the AfCFTA playing a crucial role. This trade agreement has the potential to transform the African economic landscape by fostering industrialization, job creation and intra-continental trade.

It is estimated that AfCFTA could lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty, generate USD 450 billion in real income growth and boost intra-African exports by 81 percent by 2035. To realize these gains requires significant investment in infrastructure and logistics, as well as strategic cooperation.

Africa’s cooperation with China has been instrumental in advancing its development goals. Both China and Africa share a history of colonial oppression and economic marginalization and are now striving for modernization on their own terms.

From Africa’s struggle for independence to its current pursuit of development, China has consistently supported the continent’s legitimate demands and championed efforts to address historical injustices.

Over the past 25 years, China has financed and constructed critical infrastructure across the continent, including over 10,000 km of railways, nearly 100,000 km of highways, about 1,000 bridges and 100 ports. The AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, built with China’s support, stands as a symbol of the deep-rooted China-Africa friendship. The 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation reinforced bilateral cooperation, with the two sides agreeing to implement 10 partnership action plans in various fields.

This year marks the 62nd anniversary of the OAU and its successor, the AU. Over the past six decades, African nations have steadily pursued independence, unity and regional integration under the banner of Pan-Africanism. Today, Africa has emerged as a key advocate for multilateralism and a defender of the collective interests of developing countries.

With the steady progress of Agenda 2063, the formal implementation of the AfCFTA and strengthened collaboration among subregional organizations, Africa is positioning itself as a significant force in global affairs. The continent is no longer the “silent majority” in international affairs. Instead, it is emerging as a decisive force in reshaping the world order, and charting its own future with unwavering determination.

As the AU Summit convenes, African leaders have a unique opportunity to turn their blueprint into action. By strengthening regional integration, demanding fairer global economic structures and forging equitable partnerships, Africa can ensure that justice and development go hand in hand. The road ahead is long, but Africa’s resilience and unity will help create a more just and prosperous future, not just for the continent, but for the world at large.

Liu Fangqiang is chief journalist at the Xinhua News Agency’s Addis Ababa bureau.

Contributed by Liu Fangqiang