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President William Ruto has announced four key reforms he aims to implement as the new African Union Champion for Institutional Reforms.

He unveiled this during the opening of the African Development Bank Annual Meetings in Nairobi on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

The first reform focuses on empowering the African Union Commission. Ruto emphasized the need for the Commission to manage Africa’s economic diplomacy effectively, attract investments, and turn the continent’s potential into tangible opportunities.

Secondly, Ruto plans to reform the African Union to consolidate the African market through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This initiative aims to increase intra-African trade from the current 15% and boost Africa’s contribution to global trade.

“1. Empower the African Union Commission to effectively manage Africa’s economic diplomacy and showcase the continent’s assets to attract investments and turn potential into opportunities.

“2. Reform the African Union to consolidate the African market through the African Continental Free Trade Area, aiming to increase intra-African trade from the current 15%, and also Africa’s contribution to global trade,” a statement by the State House Spokesperson read in part.

The third reform addresses the continent’s peace, security, and stability. According to President Ruto, the African Union should take responsibility for handling conflicts and ensuring a secure environment conducive to progress.

Infrastructure gap in Africa

The fourth reform targets closing the infrastructure gap across Africa. President Ruto outlined several proposals under this initiative.

He noted the need to re-engineer and repurpose the AU from its origins as a liberation movement to an accountable body.

Additionally, he proposed creating a connection between the AU and the Pan-African Parliament by reducing its members to 110 from 275, with equal representation of men and women from each country.

He also suggested that the Pan-African Parliament should approve the AU budgets and called for establishing the African Court of Justice to handle continental justice issues internally.

“Re-engineer and repurpose the AU from a liberation movement, on which it was founded, to make it more accountable.

“Create a connection between the AU and the Pan-African Parliament, reducing its members to 110 from 275 with one man and one woman from each country.

“Ensure the Pan-African Parliament approves the AU budgets •Establish the Africa Court of Justice to deal with continental justice issues internally,” the statement read.

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