The Africa Prosperity Network and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat have unveiled the APD 2025 Compact, calling for a groundbreaking initiative to mobilise Africans to invest in the continent’s integrated infrastructure development.

She had no idea of her award when she walked into the magnificently decorated banquet hall at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel, Accra. but, on Saturday night, at the Africa Prosperity Champions Awards and Presidential Gala Dinner, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was the proud and deserving recipient of the maiden Champion of the Africa We Want Award. Befitting for a woman, who as African Union Chairperson, coined the phrase “Africa We Want” and launched in 2013, the 50-year plan for Africa’s transformation, Agenda 2063, which remains today the guiding document for a continent of 1.4 billion people. An anti-apartheid activist, medical doctor, politician and international diplomat, born in Nathal Province on 27 January 1949, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is a visionary leader and one of Africa’s most distinguished stateswomen, whose career embodies the ideals of Pan-Africanism, women empowerment and transformational leadership. She has the unique distinction of having served at Cabinet level since 1994 under every post-apartheid South African president. She was Minister of Health under President Nelson Mandela, and Minister of Foreign Affairs for ten years under Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe. She was the transformational Minister of Home Affairs in President Jacob Zuma’s first term. Under President Cyril Ramaphosa, she has served as Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and also as Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, with responsibility for the National Planning Commission, before becoming Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, in which capacity she had a prominent and controversial role in regulating South Africa's lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. In between, from October 2012 to January 2017, she was elected as the third Chairperson of the African Union Commission—and its first female leader since the OAU was founded in 1963. Dr. Dlamini-Zuma’s tenure marked a defining moment for the continent, which set the overarching agenda for the continent’s next 50 years, from 2013-2063. Under her leadership and direct drive, Africa’s strategic framework for socio-economic transformation, Agenda 2063, was therefore developed and adopted. She coined the now-iconic phrase, which symbolises Agenda 2063, “The Africa We Want,” which has become a rallying call for peace, unity, development, progress and shared prosperity. From her student days, when she became involved in the Black Consciousness Movement and all throughout her career, Dr. Dlamini-Zuma has championed gender equality, freedom, Pan-Africanism and more prominently in the last 15 years, African integration. Her unwavering commitment to the continent’s transformation and unity has inspired countless Africans, especially women, to believe in and work toward a prosperous, unified future. NDZ is mother of four and proud grandmother to many. NDZ is currently the Chancellor of the University of Limpopo and also the Chairperson of the Advisory Council of APN. She is the first awardee of the Champion of the Africa We Want Award. This is in recognition of her pivotal leadership role in the overarching policy which this continent of over 1.4 billion have adopted as the blueprint for our collective development, transformation and prosperity for the fifty years ending in 2063. We honour you for your visionary leadership in shaping the continent’s future, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma!

Sleep well, Granpa JB…

I was excited to see Wodemaya being celebrated at the Africa Prosperity Champions Awards and Presidential Gala Dinner with the Excellence in Tourism Promotion for Africa & Global Africa Award. He is at the forefront of projecting a positive image of Africa and the Caribbean and can be said to be currently the foremost ambassador for Africa and Global Africa. Africa Prosperity Network recognised and celebrated Wodemaya for his exceptional contributions to elevating Africa's image as a premier tourism destination. Through his engaging digital storytelling, Wodemaya has captured the essence of Africa’s diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant communities. Indeed, his camera and voice extend to depicting and telling success business stories of Africans and Global Africans. His work has inspired hundreds of millions to view Africa not with pity but admiration and pride. His award was presented by former NBA star, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who played with the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets and New Orleans Hornets.

#NewProfilePic

RT @APN_Secretariat: [Exclusives] Images of the 2025 APCA Recipients from the just-ended Africa Prosperity Champions Awards & Presidential…

A rich post from a a super rich South African in America who makes his money from taxpayers across the world and pays taxes on his global income in America…

It was an emotional one, the Africa Prosperity Champions (1963-2024) Lifetime Achievement Award went posthumously to Herman Chinery-Hesse (1963-2024). The widow, Sadia and their children Naa Densua and Nii Tettey, were there to receive the award from Nicolas Bourg, Chairman of Telecel Group. Herman, knew as the “Father of African Software”, trailblazed from the 1990s what we now know as the 4th Industrial Revolution. It was a proud moment for Ghana! The Africa Prosperity Champions Awards and Presidential Gala Dinner, took place at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel, Accra, last Saturday. 7 other heroes of Africa were also honoured for their outstanding contributions in their various fields. Stonebwoy performed the song I wrote, “I Believe in Africa” and did several of his favourite songs to end the night of celebrations. Six Strings performed at the pre-dinner cocktail. Chief Moomen’s Mansa Musa Orchestra also performed. It was a beautiful way to end three-days of serious deliberations on actionable must-do items in order for Africa to build the single market and create the Africa We Want.

This is big. Imagine how many livelihoods will be affected by this? My own sister, @JosephineOtche2 is a programme manager for one of the biggest CDC-funded HIV/TB programmes in the world, Ekurhuleni at Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) in South Africa. She, being a medical doctor and public health specialist, may have no problem finding a job but what about the 1,000s trained for that programme, which is currently suspended, and the many more patients whose very lives depend on them? That is why Africa should now more than ever intensify the push to be owners of her own destiny and we, her children, financiers of our own welfare, wellbeing and dignity. #IBelieveInAfrica

Joy Kategekwa, Director in charge of Regional Coordination and Integration, AfDB, is one of the pioneers of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, during her time at UNDP. We look forward to greater cooperation between @APN_Secretariat and @AfDB_Group working with her.

Parteyyyyyyy!!!!!

“We may subsidise the infrastructure to supply and distribute electricity but not the consumption.” — Dr Ing. Gloria Magombo - Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Zimbabwe

Hicham El Achgar, Founder, IT6 Group, an board member of @APN_Secretariat says Africa cannot afford to wait for AU or all its member states to be ready before we move, “we have to move” with those who are ready, referring to countries that have onboarded PAPSS or others such as central banks of Ghana and Nigeria who are piloting mobile money transfers across the two countries. South Africa and Zimbabwe are doing it, just like East African countries. Continent-wide mobile money interoperability is the way to go, but Africans can’t wait for all 55 nations to be first ready.

A strong message that applies to us all and can help each and every one of us. Good morning.