Addis Ababa- The 2nd African Political Parties Summit officially opened today at the iconic Adwa Victory Memorial in Addis Ababa, bringing together over 1,000 political leaders, delegates, and policy experts representing more than 20 African nations.

Running from November 5 to November 7, 2026, under the overarching theme "Governing for Growth," the landmark summit aims to transform Africa’s political parties from electoral contenders into foundational architects of long-term economic development and regional stability.

At the opening deliberations will focus on shifting continental political culture from short-term campaign cycles toward delivery-focused economic statecraft. Participating leaders are examining strategies to align national industrial policies with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), bolster domestic revenue mobilization, manage public debt responsibly, and deepen public-private partnerships.

Deliberations will focus on climate resilience, green industrial development, and policy continuity across government transitions—ensuring that national development agendas remain intact regardless of election outcomes.

The summit will adopt the Addis Ababa Declaration, a binding commitment to establish a permanent Pan-African inter-party platform dedicated exclusively to economic policy dialogue and regional integration.

By Lalu Etalla