President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to ongoing efforts to reform the African Union (AU) to make it more effective, accountable, and responsive to the continent’s needs.
Ruto said the reforms are designed to strengthen the AU’s institutional efficiency, ensure sustainable financing, and streamline decision-making within its key organs, including the Pan African Parliament and the African Court of Justice.
Speaking during the inaugural virtual meeting of the Ad Hoc Oversight Committee of Heads of State and Government on AU Institutional Reforms, Ruto noted that the reforms also target enhancing the AU’s governance, peace, and security frameworks to ensure the continental body remains relevant amid shifting global dynamics and rising conflicts.
“We are committed to the reform of the African Union (AU) to ensure it becomes a more effective, accountable, and responsive institution, fit to deliver on the aspirations of Africa’s Agenda 2063 and meet the evolving challenges facing our continent,” said Ruto.
The meeting brought together officials from the African Union Commission, the High-Level Panel of Eminent Experts, and Member States to review progress on the finalisation of reforms and set priorities ahead of the Special Summit in Luanda, Angola, on 26th November, 2025.
The AU reform agenda, launched in 2016 under the leadership of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, seeks to make the continental body financially independent, more efficient, and focused on key priority areas.
It includes measures such as reducing duplication of roles among AU organs, cutting reliance on donor funding through a 0.2 percent levy on imports, and enhancing the role of the AU Commission in implementing Agenda 2063.
