The African Union’s Strategy for Digital Transformation in Africa: Maximising Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges

Odilile Ayodele

doi:10.36615/9780906785713

African Union and Agenda 2063: The Past, Present and Future

Since its official launch on 9 July 2002 in Durban, South Africa, the African Union (AU) has taken on the complex mantle of promoting peace, governance, development, and continental integration—building on the legacy of its predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). While the OAU championed the liberation and unity of African states, the AU expanded this vision under the broader framework of Pan-Africanism, aligning it with modern challenges and aspirations. As the AU marked its 20th anniversary in 2022, there emerged a critical need to evaluate its performance, particularly in relation to Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want—a strategic vision for Africa’s long-term transformation adopted in 2013. Understanding the AU’s trajectory requires reflection on the historical struggles that shaped Pan-Africanism, including colonialism, apartheid, and racial injustice. Key milestones such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) reflect progress, but limited advancement in flagship projects like the Free Movement of Persons and “Silencing the Guns” initiative highlights persistent challenges. This book, African Union and Agenda 2063: The Past, Present, and Future, undertakes a critical assessment of the AU’s 20-year record, aiming to reinvigorate Pan-African consciousness and examine the structural and political constraints hindering the Union’s effectiveness in achieving lasting peace, prosperity, and unity across the continent.

Authors: Khabele Matlosa, Strategic Institute for Research and Dialogue; Adeoye O. Akinola, University of Johannesburg; Sven Botha, University of Pretoria; Ebrima Sall, TrustAfrica; Siphamandla Zondi, University of Johannesburg; Eddy Maloka, African Peer Review Mechanism; Hesphina Rukato, Crisis Action; Horace G Campbell, Syracuse University; Osy Ezechukwunyere Nwebo, Imo State University; Kayode Eesuola, University of Lagos; Seife K Tadelle, Bahir Dar University; Lemuel Odeh, University of Ilorin; Olawale Yemisi, University of Ibadan; Kai-Ann D Skeete, The University of the West Indies; Tshepo Gwatiwa, Macquarie University; Dawn Isabel Nagar, University of Johannesburg; James Zotto, University of Dar es Salaam; Ndubuisi Christian Ani, US Institute of Peace; Tim K Murithi, Institute for Justice and Reconciliation; Laeed Zaghlami, Algiers University; Belkacem Iratni, Algiers University; Tazoacha Francis, Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation; Samuel Mondays Atuobi, African Union Commission; Fredrick Ogenga, Rongo University; Ratidzo C Makombe, University of Johannesburg; Habu Mohammed, Bayero University; Dorcas Ettang, Durban University of Technology; Nompumelelo Ndawonde, University of Johannesburg; Adeogun Tolulope, Durban University of Technology; Rabele Litlhare, University of Pretoria; Lennon Monyae, African Peer Review Mechanism; Odilile Ayodele, Human Science Research Council; Everisto Benyera, University of South Africa; Njabulo Mbanda, University of Johannesburg; Ngono Louis Narcisse, Institute of International Relations of Cameroon

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Open Access ,
Humanities ,
Politics ,
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions ,

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Product details

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713

Chapters

Editorial Foreword

Sven Botha

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Foreword

Ebrima Sall

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Preface
Africa: Pathways and Crossroads

Siphamandla Zondi

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African Union and the Agenda 2063 Project

Adeoye O. Akinola, Khabele Matlosa

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-01

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The Reform of the African Union
History and Progress

Eddy Maloka

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-02

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The African Union and the Pan‑African Agenda

Hesphina Rukato

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-03

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Reconstruction and Reparative Justice for Global African Peoples in the 21st Century

Horace G Campbell

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-04

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African Union Integration Agenda and the Challenges of Plurality and Sovereignty

Osy Ezechukwunyere Nwebo

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-05

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African Union and the Leadership Conundrum

Kayode Eesuola

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-06

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Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement – AfCFTA
Prospects and Impediments

Seife K Tadelle

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-07

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Rebuilding African Economy in a Globalised World
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the Question of Intra‑African Trade

Lemuel Odeh, Olawale Yemisi

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-08

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The Question of The Decade
Is it Feasible for CARICOM to Co‑ordinate its Foreign Policy towards Africa?

Kai-Ann D Skeete

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-09

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The African Union and the United States
The Pursuit of a Strategic Partnership

Tshepo Gwatiwa

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-10

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United Nations-African Union Relations
Towards Sustainable Peace and Economic Development and the Attainment of Agenda 2063

Dawn Isabel Nagar

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-11

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Intra-African Migration and the Prospects for Regional Integration

Khabele Matlosa

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-12

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Africa-EU Migration
Between a Rock and a Hard Place?

Adeoye O. Akinola

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-13

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The ‘Unholy Trinity Powers’ in the Malawi-Tanzania Border Dispute
The Shaping of Postcolonial Relations in Southern Africa

James Zotto

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-14

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The Quest for Peace in Africa
Convergence and Fragmentation within the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA)

Ndubuisi Christian Ani

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-15

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Interrogating the AU’s Silencing the Guns in Africa

Tim K Murithi

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-16

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Silencing the Guns in Africa from an Algerian Perspective

Laeed Zaghlami, Belkacem Iratni

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-17

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Prioritising Human Security by the African Union at the Emergence of the New Global Hegemony

Tazoacha Francis

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-18

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The Role of the African Union in Elections

Samuel Mondays Atuobi

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-19

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Democracy, Governance, and Peacebuilding in Africa
Technology, Cybercitizens and Kenya’s Post-2022 Election Jitters

Fredrick Ogenga

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-20

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Election-related Violence in Africa
A Reflection of the African Union’s Response

Ratidzo C Makombe

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-21

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Governance, Contested Legitimacy, and the Resurgence of Military Coups in Africa
The Role of the African Union

Habu Mohammed

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-22

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African Union at 20
Gender Relations in Africa and Agenda 2063

Dorcas Ettang

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-23

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African Women Labour Migrants
Assessing the African Union Free Movement of Persons Protocol

Nompumelelo Ndawonde

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-24

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Theorising Women’s Inclusion in Peace Processes Towards the Actualisation of Agenda 2063

Rabele Litlhare

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-25

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The African Union at 20
Youth Inclusivity and Agenda 2063

Lennon Monyae

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-26

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The African Union’s Strategy for Digital Transformation in Africa
Maximising Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges

Odilile Ayodele

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-27

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Africa and the Curriculum Transformation Project
Towards the Epistemic-Independent Africa We Want

Everisto Benyera

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-28

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African Union at 20
Health Systems Strengthening for Post‑COVID Dispensation

Njabulo Mbanda

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-29

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Africa, Climate Change, and Development
Towards A Strategic Balancing Posture

Ngono Louis Narcisse

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-30

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Author Biography

Adeoye O. Akinola, University of Johannesburg

Dr Adeoye O. Akinola is the Head of Research and Teaching at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation, University of Johannesburg.

References

Published

June 28, 2025

Series

African Political Science and International Relations in Focus

Copyright (c) 2025 Khabele Matlosa, Adeoye O. Akinola; Sven Botha, Ebrima Sall, Siphamandla Zondi, Eddy Maloka, Hesphina Rukato, Horace G Campbell, Osy Ezechukwunyere Nwebo, Kayode Eesuola, Seife K Tadelle, Lemuel Odeh, Olawale Yemisi, Kai-Ann D Skeete, Tshepo Gwatiwa, Dawn Isabel Nagar, James Zotto, Ndubuisi Christian Ani, Tim K Murithi, Laeed Zaghlami, Belkacem Iratni, Tazoacha Francis, Samuel Mondays Atuobi, Fredrick Ogenga, Ratidzo C Makombe, Habu Mohammed, Dorcas Ettang, Nompumelelo Ndawonde, Adeogun Tolulope, Rabele Litlhare, Lennon Monyae, Odilile Ayodele, Everisto Benyera, Njabulo Mbanda, Ngono Louis Narcisse

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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9780906785713

Date of first publication (11)

2025-06-27

Details about the available publication format: EPUB

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ISBN-13 (15)

9780906785720

Date of first publication (11)

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Details about the available publication format: XML

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ISBN-13 (15)

9780906785737

Date of first publication (11)

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Details about the available publication format: Paperback

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ISBN-13 (15)

9780906785706

Date of first publication (11)

2025-06-27

Physical Dimensions

152.4mm x 228.6mm x 45.44mm

How to Cite

Ayodele, O. (2025). The African Union’s Strategy for Digital Transformation in Africa: Maximising Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges. In K. Matlosa & A. Akinola (Eds.), & (Ed.), African Union and Agenda 2063: The Past, Present and Future (pp. 689-715). UJ Press. https://doi.org/10.36615/9780906785713-27

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