African Union Presses for Funding Reforms Amid Ongoing Donor Dependence

Editorial: omar kadir

The African Union convened the 50th session of its Permanent Representatives Committee on Monday in Addis Ababa, tackling the organization’s persistent financial vulnerabilities, particularly its continued reliance on external donors. While ambassadors from all 55 member states gathered to set the agenda for upcoming high-level meetings, the core dilemma remained unresolved. Sudanese-British philanthropist Mo Ibrahim, during recent discussions in Marrakech, underscored the contradiction of condemning donors as neo-colonial powers while depending on them for nearly 70 percent of the Union’s $650 million annual budget.

A central focus of the discussions was the need to move from rhetoric to action regarding self-financing mechanisms. The 2016 Kigali Decision, which introduced a 0.2 percent levy on eligible imports, was designed to reduce dependence on foreign funding. If fully implemented, the measure could cover all operational expenses, fund 75 percent of AU programs, and support peacekeeping missions. However, only 17 member states have enforced the levy, leaving its transformative potential largely untapped.

Despite the support of reform-minded leaders such as Kenyan President William Ruto, who continues to advocate for revenue diversification, a recurring pattern of commitment without execution persists. The Union now faces mounting pressure to achieve financial autonomy and end what critics describe as the illusion of sovereignty under donor dependency, paving the way for a truly independent and self-reliant continental institution.