Theme: “An Innovative Royal Vision for Sustainable Development, Based on Shared African Sovereignty” On the occasion of Africa Day, CAFRAD extends its warmest wishes to the African Union, all its Member States, and all those who work every day for the progress and dignity of the continent. May this day be an opportunity to renew our collective commitment to a sovereign, united, and prosperous Africa.

An Event Rooted in History and Looking to the Future

Africa Day commemorates the creation, on May 25, 1963, of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which became the current African Union (AU) in July 2002. Each year, it is a moment of collective remembrance, continental pride, and looking toward the future. For CAFRAD, whose mission is precisely to support the transformation of African administrations, this anniversary holds particular significance: it is an opportunity to reaffirm the Organization’s commitment to a sovereign, integrated, and prosperous Africa. For CAFRAD, the celebration of this day is much more than a commemorative ritual. It is part of a fundamental commitment to the comprehensive, structural, and systemic transformation of Africa, as outlined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063—this collective roadmap that sketches the contours of “the Africa we want.” The African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development (CAFRAD), a pan-African intergovernmental organization, will celebrate Africa Day on June 1, 2026, instead of May 25, which coincides with other calendars. At the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, this event will bring together African diplomatic representatives accredited to Morocco, partner institutions, and civil society for a joint reflection on the continent’s future.

An institutional partnership serving a shared vision

The ceremony is organized in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIS) of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, the International University of Executive Education, the International Federation of Global & Green Information and Communication Technology, and the African Union of Transport and Logistics Organizations. This consortium of actors—academic, economic, and sectoral—illustrates CAFRAD’s conviction that Africa’s transformation is a collective endeavor that transcends institutional and disciplinary boundaries.

Official launch of CADDI: a foundational act for sustainable development

The highlight of the day will be the official launch of the African Committee for Sustainable and Integrated Development (CADDI). This new body, aligned with the implementation of Agenda 2063, will draw upon IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) and APSAS to pilot a continent-wide project for sustainable and integrated development. The creation of CADDI reflects CAFRAD’s commitment not only to reflect on the continent’s challenges but also to take concrete action to address them, equipping Africa with the financial governance and integrated planning tools it needs to fulfill its development commitments.

A Tribute to the Women and Men Who Shape Africa

The ceremony was also an opportunity to pay tribute to the African women and men whose commitment, leadership, and achievements have significantly contributed to the continent’s transformation and influence. Africa is built first and foremost by its women and men—in institutions, businesses, universities, and communities—and it is essential to remember those who pave the way.

A Powerful Theme: The Royal Vision at the Heart of African Development

This year’s theme—”An Innovative Royal Vision for Sustainable Development, Founded on Shared African Sovereignty”—is not insignificant. It reflects the recognition of the active role played by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in promoting African integration through economic, diplomatic, and South-South cooperation initiatives that make Morocco an essential strategic partner for the continent’s development. The concept of “shared African sovereignty” is central to this theme: it posits that African states are stronger together, that their true independence depends on strengthened cooperation, and that the continent’s sustainable development can only be the result of a shared vision and concerted action.

A Framework for Dialogue and Continental Solidarity

Africa Day, organized by CAFRAD, aims to be a space for genuine and constructive dialogue. It offers each participant the opportunity to celebrate the continent’s history, highlight the richness and diversity of its cultures, and address directly the contemporary challenges Africa faces on its path to sustainable development: public governance, domestic resource mobilization, digital transformation, food security, and climate change. It is in this spirit that the revitalized CAFRAD intends to contribute to building the Africa of tomorrow: not from behind the scenes, but at the heart of the discussions, uniting minds and wills in service of a shared continental project. On this symbolic day, CAFRAD extends its warmest congratulations to the African Union on its 63 years of existence and for the remarkable work accomplished in service of the continent’s integration and development. May World Africa Day 2026 be another milestone on this promising path.