African leaders vow to mobilize domestic funding to finance operational costs of the AU
Emnet Assefa
The 21st Summit of the African Heads of States and Governments held at the African Union Commission (AUC) headquarters came to an end with leaders deciding to mobilize domestic funding to cover the continental body’s operational costs, 97% of which is currently paid by development partners. The leaders have also pledged to raise domestic funding for ongoing development projects throughout the continent.
The heads of states have also discussed and adopted several decisions during the two days’ deliberation, putting domestic financing at the top, according to Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of AUC.
“It’s time we look for economic sovereignty of the continent for the future,” said Dlamini Zuma adding that strategic issues such as maximizing domestic resources for development and infrastructure and self-reliance were top issues that the leaders have discussed. “We had critical discussions.” According to her, finance ministers of member states and commissioners of the Union are expected to come up with document details ways of raising domestic resource during the 22nd summit of heads of states and governments in Jan. next year.
