The second African Political Parties Summit (APPS) is set to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from November 5 to 7, 2026. The summit will bring together political leaders from across the continent to deliberate on the role of political parties in driving Africa's economic transformation.
Governing for Growth: The Theme of APPS 2026
The Africa Governance Centre (AGC) is convening the summit in collaboration with the Ethiopian government under the high patronage of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. This year's summit is themed "Governing for Growth: Political Parties as Architects of Africa's Economic Future," with a focus on how political leadership can contribute to industrialisation, sustainable development, regional integration, and the creation of resilient African economies.
Building on the Accra Declaration
The 2026 summit builds on the inaugural edition held in Accra, Ghana, in August 2025, which brought together more than 100 representatives of political parties from across the continent. The meeting ended with the adoption of the Accra Declaration, a 10-point commitment aimed at promoting good governance, regional integration, and inclusive development. The Africa Governance Centre says the Addis Ababa summit comes at a defining moment for the continent as African countries seek to accelerate economic transformation while dealing with complex socio-economic challenges.
African Youth in Politics Forum and Africa Women Political Leadership Summit
Two flagship platforms will form part of the 2026 summit – the African Youth in Politics Forum (AYPF) and the Africa Women Political Leadership Summit (AWPLS). These platforms will provide dedicated spaces for discussions on youth and women's participation in political leadership and ways of improving their representation in Africa's political systems. Organisers say recommendations from the two platforms will feed into the Addis Ababa Declaration, which is expected to capture shared priorities and commitments on strengthening development-oriented political institutions across the continent.
The summit will bring together political party representatives and other stakeholders to examine how political leadership can support Africa's economic ambitions and contribute to sustainable development. Discussions are expected to examine how political parties can help strengthen accountable institutions and advance development priorities in line with the African Union's Agenda 2063. The summit will provide a platform for African leaders to share experiences and best practices in promoting good governance and regional integration.
What Happens Next
The recommendations from the summit are expected to feed into the Addis Ababa Declaration, which will capture shared priorities and commitments on strengthening development-oriented political institutions across the continent. The declaration is expected to be a significant document that outlines the way forward for African political parties in promoting economic transformation and sustainable development. The summit will be a crucial step towards achieving the African Union's Agenda 2063, which aims to transform Africa into a prosperous and peaceful continent by 2063.
Source: Joy Online
