The Pan-African AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission has commenced a three-day programme to mark the 2026 Africa Day in Abuja.
The events began with a ‘Liberation Walk’ from Jabi Lake Mall to the Jabi Lake Waterfront and back.
The walk attracted participants from various sectors, including the diplomatic community, students, pan-African civil society groups, and volunteers.
Africa Day is commemorated annually on May 25 to mark the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963.
This year’s theme is: ‘Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation System to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063’.
Dr Steven Ben-Joel, Global President of the mission, said the commemoration serves as a continental call to action on the challenges facing Africa and its future prospects.
In line with the theme, the mission commissioned a water project in Garam community, Niger State.
Ben-Joel said the project was undertaken in partial fulfilment of the AU Agenda 2063 commitments in the area of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH).
He urged the community to take ownership of the project by protecting it from theft or vandalism.
Baba Sallah, a community leader in Garam, Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, said the project had brought excitement and relief to residents.
“Access to water was a major challenge for us, but since this project was completed, it has freed up the time we previously spent searching for water for drinking and cultivation,” he said.
“My hope is that this facility will be properly maintained because it is very important to us,” he added.
He commended the organisation for choosing the community for the impactful project.
Thereafter, the African Digital Trade Centre – Pan-African Continental Super-Marketplace (PAC-SM) was officially launched.
The organisers described PAC-SM as a technology-driven platform that connects buyers and sellers across Africa, enabling seamless trade, partnerships, and market access.
The platform also integrates finance, logistics, compliance, and education into a single ecosystem.
Speaking at the launch, the Chairman of PAC-SM, Dr Patrick Ugboma, said the marketplace was established to create a platform where African products, producers, and businesses can thrive.
“It is a strategic platform to support intra-African trade, promote African products, and connect producers to markets. It is also an avenue to contribute meaningfully to the realisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the aspirations of the AU Agenda 2063,” he said.
Ben-Joel said the platform stands out from other digital marketplaces because it is practical and truly pan-African.
“We need to understand that Africa is the largest continental trade destination by countries, with a potential $3 trillion trade volume. Therefore, it is important to connect to that potential and create prosperity for our people,” he said.
A stage production on ‘African Agenda’ by children from across the continent was also performed as part of the events.
