Commemoration Of Africa Day 2023 In Belgium

Brussels (Belgium), Friday 26th May 2023: the African Union (AU) Permanent Representation in Brussels, together with the Group of African Ambassadors in Brussels, are hosting the Africa Day Gala dinner to commemorate Africa Day.

Africa Day is commemorated annually on May 25th. It celebrates anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). It was created by 32 African Heads of State on 25th May, 1963. It later transformed into the African Union (AU) on 9th July 2002.

Official celebrations of Africa Day began on 25th May 2023. The Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana in the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, participated in a Seminar which was held under the theme: “Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation”.

Participants included dignitaries such as the Permanent Representative of the AU to the EU in Brussels, the President of the African Group of Ambassadors in Brussels, African Ambassadors in Brussels, the European Commission, the Belgian Government and the Senior Advisor to the AfCFTA Secretary General.

The Seminar held pivotal discussions focused on:

i) the Status of implementation of the AfCFTA, the Challenges and Prospects for Acceleration; and

ii) EU Support to the AfCFTA within the framework of the renewed AU-EU Partnership.

Africa Day commemorates continental integration, growth and development.