African ambassadors in Kigali met with members of Pan-African Movement Rwanda on December 4 to kick start preparations for the 63rd Africa Day, to be celebrated on May 25, 2026. The meeting sought to secure stronger ambassadorial ownership of the event, deepen participation of African communities living in Rwanda, and refine a series of people-centered activities planned in the run-up to the celebrations. ALSO READ: Pursue win-win partnerships, Kagame to African ambassadors At the heart of the discussions were African unity, market integration, and community engagement, issues diplomats said are crucial for strengthening the continent’s political and economic voice. They noted the need to accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), expand intra-African trade, and tackle fragmentation that continues to slow collective progress. According to Protais Musoni, chairperson of the Pan-African Movement (Rwanda chapter), Africa Day should serve not only as a celebration but also as a moment of reflection. “This year’s celebrations should remind us of both the successes we’ve achieved since 1963 and the challenges we still need to address,” he said. “We shared a draft program with the ambassadors. They will review it, choose activities to participate in, and nominate representatives for the planning committees.” He stressed the two central themes—people-centered integration and market-driven development, arguing that unity cannot succeed without engaging citizens, raising awareness, and encouraging participation at community level. ALSO READ: Africa Day 2023: Reflecting on the Pan-Africanism for socio-economic development “People-centered integration is essential. When citizens understand and take part in integration, the process becomes sustainable,” Musoni said. He also noted progress in advancing the African common market in countries such as Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya, adding that similar momentum must spread across the continent. Mozambique’s High Commissioner to Rwanda, Amade Miquidade, said the meeting was a productive step toward shaping next year’s celebrations. “We discussed how African countries in Rwanda can contribute to Africa Day 2026. We will have another meeting soon and prepare a roadmap for implementation,” he said. Kenya’s envoy Janet Mwawasi Oben stressed that this year’s theme directly supports AfCFTA objectives and addresses persistent barriers to trade, including low export volumes and limited intra-African commerce. “Early preparation means we are off to a strong start. The theme is crucial for boosting intra-African trade and supporting the goals of AfCFTA,” she said. Oben added that overcoming political and economic challenges requires collective solutions, including stronger regional blocs and open platforms for Africans to discuss problems and propose practical responses. “Africa still struggles with low trade volumes. If we strengthen our markets and export more instead of importing, we can overcome many challenges,” she noted. Preparations will continue over the coming months as ambassadors refine the program and develop a roadmap leading up to Africa Day 2026.
