The Pan-African AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission has commenced its three-day events to mark the 2026 Africa Day in Abuja. The activities began over the weekend with a "Liberation Walk" from the Jabi Lake Mall to the Jabi Lake Waterfront and back to the mall. The walk attracted participants from various sectors, including the diplomatic community, students, pan-African civil society groups, and volunteers.
Commemoration of Africa Day
Africa Day is celebrated every May 25 to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963. This year's theme is "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063."
Global President of the Mission, Dr Steven Ben-Joel, stated that the commemoration serves as a continental call to action regarding the challenges and prospects facing Africa. In line with the theme, the mission commissioned a water project in the Garam Community, located after Bwari in Niger State.
Water Project and Community Impact
Dr Ben-Joel explained that the water project was conceived as a partial fulfilment of the AU Agenda 2063 commitment in the areas of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). He urged the community to take ownership of the project by protecting it from theft or vandalism.
A Garam Community leader in Tafa Local Council of Niger State, Baba Sallah, expressed excitement and enthusiasm about the project. He commended the organisation for selecting the community for such an impactful initiative.
Launch of African Digital Trade Centre
Additionally, the African Digital Trade Centre – Pan-African Continental Super-Marketplace (PAC-SM) was officially launched. The organisers described PAC-SM as a technology-driven platform that connects buyers and sellers across Africa, facilitating seamless trade, partnerships, and market access across borders.
The digital trade centre integrates finance, logistics, compliance, and education into a single ecosystem. Chairman of PAC-SM, Dr Patrick Ugboma, said the marketplace was established out of a desire to create a platform where African products, producers, and businesses can thrive.
"It is a strategic platform to support intra-African trade, promote African products, and connect producers to markets. It is also an avenue to contribute meaningfully to the realisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the aspirations of the AU Agenda 2063," he said.
