Africa Day 2025 Statement by AYA.Africa
Today, as we commemorate Africa Day 2025, AYA.Africa joins millions across the
continent and the diaspora in honouring the enduring spirit of Pan-Africanism and
reflecting on the promise of a united, peaceful, and prosperous Africa. This year’s
commemoration marks yet another moment to reflect honestly on our collective
progress—and the gaps that still hinder Africa’s full liberation.
Colophon : African Union – https://au.int/en/newsevents/20250524/africa-day-2025
More than six decades after the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, the
vision of a continent that is truly united politically and economically remains elusive.
While institutional frameworks have been established, the pace of implementation is
slow, and the lived experiences of ordinary Africans remain fragmented by borders,
bureaucracy, and conflict. The dream of an integrated Africa—where goods,
services, and most importantly, people move freely—is still more aspiration than
reality.
Young Africans are wide awake. Across the continent, a generation is rising that is
not only connected digitally, but also deeply conscientized. This generation
understands the legacy of colonialism, the economic injustices of global trade
systems, and the internal contradictions that delay Africa’s renaissance. They are
demanding ethical leadership, economic justice, and an Africa that works for its
people—not just its elite. They are not the leaders of tomorrow; they are the pulse of
the continent today.
Yet, even as this youth energy surges, structural barriers persist. The right
to freedom of movement—a cornerstone of continental unity—remains constrained.
Young Africans continue to face visa restrictions, xenophobic sentiments, and limited
intra-African travel opportunities. The irony of easier access to former colonial
capitals than to neighbouring African countries is a reminder of how far we still have
to go.
We cannot speak of unity without speaking of peace. The wars in Sudan, the
eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and sectarian violence in West
Africa are devastating reminders of the urgent need to prioritise African lives and
silence the guns. These conflicts are not just regional—they are continental wounds
that undermine our shared progress. The failure to resolve them swiftly speaks to the
need for stronger African-led mediation, justice systems, and humanitarian
responses.
There are, however, bright spots worth celebrating. The African Continental Free
Trade Area (AfCFTA) continues to make strides toward transforming Africa into the
largest single market in the world. It is a tangible step toward economic integration
and industrialisation. Institutions like the African Export-Import Bank
(Afreximbank) have also played a critical role in financing infrastructure, trade, and
post-COVID recovery, offering a model of African solutions to African challenges.
Crucially, the digital economy and the entrepreneurship of small and micro
enterprises are emerging as powerful levers for connection, transformation, and
inclusion. These engines of innovation are not only driving economic growth, but
also bridging the digital and physical divides in communities that are only
beginning to grasp the full magnitude of Africa’s future. Whether through fintech,
agri-tech, e-commerce or informal networks of trade and care, young entrepreneurs
are catalysing a new kind of continental integration—from the ground up, and from
the margins in.
At AYA.Africa, we remain committed to amplifying the voices of Africa’s
entrepreneurs. Our work is grounded in the belief that a united Africa is not just a
political and economic project—it is a generational imperative.
This Africa Day, we recommit to the work of unity, peace, and progress. We invite all
Africans to continue dreaming, organising, and building the future we deserve—a
borderless, just, and dignified Africa.
Aluta continua. The struggle continues.
Africa Day 2025 Message of President of Ghana H.E. John Dramani Mahama, AU Champion for reparatory justice for Africans and people of African descent