The African Union Champion Heads of State:
Pushing the Continental Agenda at the Highest Levels
In order for Africa to occupy its rightful position as a key player in the global arena, African Union (AU) Heads of States Champions are chosen by their peers to lead the process in focal thematic areas that will drive growth and development and lead to the achievement of Africa’s Agenda.
The AU Champion Leaders:
i) Strengthen collaboration and team spirit at a continental level as it increases interaction between Heads of State and Government
ii) Promote ownership and involvement of African Union programmes and activities at the highest level;
iii) Facilitate peer learning and review
The AU Champions garner political support and advocate for AU activities at the highest level possible, promoting political buy-in as well as full ownership by Member States, thereby facilitating the implementation of key programmes of the Union.
During AU Summits, the Champions submit progress reports on their respective areas of focus to update on their achievements, and share their challenges for further consideration and recommendations by the Assembly.
Through this innovative way of enhancing the implementation of Africa’s Agenda 2063, tangible results have been realised because of the commitment of the Champions to their respective areas of focus. The successful launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2019 is a prime example of what can be achieved through the Heads of State Champion Initiative. The AfCFTA received the attention for Member States due to the lobbying at the highest level by H.E. Mr. Mahamadou Issoufou, President of the Republic of Niger, and Leader of the Continental Free Trade Area Issues. The President undertook various advocacy missions to AU Member States to collect the required number of ratifications for the entry into force of the AfCFTA.
With regards to the Institutional Reforms of the African Union, championed by H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, a lot of progress has been noted. Including the rationalisation of the leadership portfolios, the increased focus on sustainable financing and improved financial management, the prioritisation of AU programmes and division of labour between the AU and RECs as well as increasing targets for women and youth representation and participation in the institutions of the AU; all of which aim to ensure the African Union is transformed to better serve the citizens of Africa and deliver Agenda 2063
The areas of focus by the Presidents Champions include: women and gender development, peace and security, economic and political integration, migration, ending child marriage in Africa, agriculture (food security and nutrition), maritime security, safety and development in Africa, institutional reform of the African Union, elimination of female genital mutilation, domestic health financing, revitalization and operationalization of the African Union Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) policy and ending corruption in Africa.
Only Heads of State and Government in office can be selected as Champions. Being a champion or leader provides a unique platform for steering the continent towards achieving a common goal. It creates visibility for Africa’s development priorities at regional and continental level and promotes the continent in the international scene..
Current African Union Champions
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H.M. King Letsie III of The Kingdom Of Lesotho AU Champion for Nutrition
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H.M. King Mohammed VI of The Kingdom of Morocco AU Champion on Migration
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H.E. Abiy Ahmed Prime Minister of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia AU Champion on CAADP Biennial Review
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H.E. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi President of The Arab Republic of Egypt Au Champion on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD)
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H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé President of The Republic of Togo AU Champion on the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM)
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H.E. Paul Kagame President of The Republic of Rwanda AU Champion on Domestic Health Financing
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H.E. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo President of The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) AU Champion on Positive Masculinity
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H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço President of The Republic of Angola AU Champion on Peace and Reconciliation in Africa
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H.E. John Dramani Mahama President of The Republic of Ghana AU Champion on The AU Financial Institutions
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H.E. Daniel Francisco Chapo President of The Republic of Mozambique AU Champion For Disaster Risk Management
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H.E. Dr José Maria Pereira Neves President of The Republic of Cabo Verde AU Champion on Preservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Africa
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H.E. Dr. Patrick Herminie President of The Republic Of Seychelles AU Champion on Blue Economy
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H.E. Abdelmadjid Tebboune President of The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria AU Champion For Combating Terrorism and Violent Extremism
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H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye President of The Republic of Burundi AU Champion For The Youth, Peace, And Security Agenda
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H.E. President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa President Of The Republic Of South Africa AU Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
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H.E. Hakainde Hichilema President of The Republic of Zambia AU Champion on Ending Child Marriage
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H.E. Hakainde Hichilema President of The Republic of Zambia AU Champion on Eliminating Cholera
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H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto President of the Republic of Kenya AU Champion on Institutional Reform
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H.E. Alassane Dramane Ouattara President of The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire AU Champion on The Follow-up of The Implementation of African Union Agenda 2063
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H.E. John Dramani Mahama President of The Republic of Ghana AU Champion on Gender and Development Issues in Africa
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H.E. Issoufou Mahamadou Former President of The Republic of Niger AU Champion on g the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation
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H.E. Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno President of The Republic of Chad AU Champion on The Fight Against Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) 2025
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H.E. John Dramani Mahama President of The Republic of Ghana AU Champion on Reparations
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H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria AU Champion on Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership
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H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto President of the Republic of Kenya AU Champion on Local Manufacturing of Medical Products
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H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto President of the Republic of Kenya AU Co-Champion for AFCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade
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S.E. Duma Gideon Boko President of the Republic of Botswana AU Champion on Malaria Work on African Leaders’ Malaria Alliance (ALMA)
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H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, the African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health;
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H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, as the African Union Champion for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health.
