Africa Day 2025 looks ahead, spotlighting reparations

The African Union (AU) has commemorated the 62th anniversary of its founding with its annual celebration of Africa Day on May 25th.

The theme for 2025 is “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”, seeking to spotlight ongoing debate for greater accountability for the legacy of slavery and Western colonialism that continue to plague progress across the continent.

In a flurry of entertainment and cultural exhibitions held within the organisation’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the African Union press release has outlined key objectives such as the platforming of high level brainstorming on practical pathways to attaining reparatory justice. The high profile event aims to promote intergenerational and diasporic discussion to reconcile Africa’s checkered past with future-looking aspirations. It also seeks to make space for younger voices in academia, civil society and beyond to contribute to evolving discourse around Pan-African solidarity and identity.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf concluded in his address, “Let us reaffirm our shared values and take rightful ownership of our future on the global stage. Pan-Africanism was forged through the dreams and determination of our people – but also through strategic foresight. Let us honour that legacy with bold, united action.”

Characterised by a clarion call for justice and forward momentum, Africa Day 2025 calls on all Africans to take greater pride in the proven resilience, grit and potential of its people.

To mark the occasion, the Association of Moroccan Immigrant Workers in Spain (ATIM) called for a dismantling of mainstream media clichés, prejudiced stereotypes, as well as anti-African xenophobia. As reported in Yabiladi, the NGO has also underscored the benefits of migration for expedited economic development as well as increased diplomatic cooperation between the African continent and the rest of the world.

Chido Mpemba, Special Advisor on Youth and Women to African Union Chairperson calls special attention for genuine inclusiveness in African leadership that faithfully reflects the realities and aspirations of the people, reiterating The Africa We Want as envisioned in AU Agenda 2063 as needing to be built on the full might of its majority population- its women and youth.

With over half the African continent composed of females and a startling 60% of the population falling under the age of 25 as stated within the UNFPA’s ‘World Population’ report, Mpemba doubles down on the pessimistic situation across the board. With youth-led initiatives and female representation in parliament continuing to be sidelined from policy discussion circles, Mpemba leverages on the momentum generated from Africa Day to call for an end to passivity, encouraging the undertaking of bold local action to empower previously undervalued and underrepresented segments of society.

Cautiously optimistic, Mpemba alludes to positive signs vis-à-vis increased pushback by a more technologically savvy and politically disillusioned youth demanding greater accountability from office holders as observed in Niger within the Sahel, among other nations.

Celebratory sentiments were also to be found in the private sector, whereby African owned and led businesses joined in the fun. Olam Agri, a leading Nigerian agribusiness dubbed as one of the continent’s greatest corporate success stories, has notably put on diversity showcases and food tasting across all its offices. Employees were also encouraged to participate by coming to work colourfully decked in traditional attire in accordance to their personal allegiance to their respective tribes and ethnicities. Yoruba, Igbo, Urhobo and Efik were among the many groups featured that day.

Echoing key objectives of setting in motion a forceful forward momentum under a unified Africa, Country Head of Olam Agri, Anil Nair said “Our success story is a pointer to the potential residing on the continent, the fertility of its soil, and the sheer resilience of the people.”

African Union/ Maghrebi