Kigali – 10 th Feb 2026 , Representing His Excellency President Paul Kagame, Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva virtually attended the 43rd session of the AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC)  this Tuesday, delivering a firm message on the necessity of African ownership in the continent’s growth. ​The Prime Minister emphasized that while international partnerships are vital for progress, they must complement rather than overshadow the efforts of African Member States. ​"Africa must remain steadfast in driving its own development agenda," PM Nsengiyumva stated

Kigali – 10th Feb 2026

, Representing His Excellency President Paul Kagame, Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva virtually attended the 43rd session of the AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC)  this Tuesday, delivering a firm message on the necessity of African ownership in the continent’s growth. ​The Prime Minister emphasized that while international partnerships are vital for progress, they must complement rather than overshadow the efforts of African Member States. ​"Africa must remain steadfast in driving its own development agenda," PM Nsengiyumva stated. "External contributions should not outpace those of Member States by wide margins. This is central to the AU reform agenda and to our shared commitment to ownership and self-reliance."

Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva at 43rd AUDA-NEPAD summit

​The address aligns with Rwanda’s long standing position on the African Union (AU) reform agenda, which seeks to make the continental body more financially independent and efficient in delivering its mandate to citizens. ​The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) is the technical body of the African Union. Its journey reflects Africa’s evolving approach to development, it was adopted in Lusaka, Zambia in 2001. It was formed by merging two major plans which are the millennium Africa recovery plan and the omega plan.

​Its founding fathers including leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Senegal and Egypt envisioned a framework to eradicate poverty, promote sustainable growthand halt the marginalization of Africa in the global economy. ​As part of the institutional reforms led by President Paul Kagame, the NEPAD planning and coordinating agency was transformed into AUDA-NEPAD. This change gave the entity a clearer legal mandate as the AU’s first-ever dedicated development agency. ​Today AUDA-NEPAD acts as the engine for Agenda 2063, focusing on regional integration, infrastructure and health systems. ​The 43rd Session comes at a time when African leaders are increasingly pushing for local solutions to local problems, a theme that resonated strongly in the Prime Minister's remarks today.

A little more informed. A little more connected.