24th May, 2019
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the transformation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) into African Union Development Agency- NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) in line with African Union (AU) decision for improved service delivery.
This was disclosed on Friday in a statement signed by Princess Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator of the agency, NAN reports.
According to Akobundu, the presidential approval was a follow up to the adoption of the decision of the Eleventh Extraordinary session of AU Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from November 17- 18,2018.
AUDA-NEPAD has the mandate to coordinate regional integration and strengthen capacity of AU member states.
“The transformation from NEPAD to AUDA-NEPAD will allow the improvement on effectiveness and efficiency in delivering AU development policies and programmes across its member countries.
” President Buhari’s approval is a follow up to the adoption of the decision of the AU Extraordinary Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from Nov. 17 to Nov. 18,2018,” she said.
The coordinator added that the setting up of the structure of AUDA-NEPAD in Nigeria had been concluded with the creation and constitution of the national Focal Point and the National Advisory Group.
She expressed the appreciation of the entire Nigerian Country office, AUDA-NEPAD to the President for his prompt approval in line with other participating 55 AU member states.
The rationale behind the establishment of the AUDA, is that it shall be a vehicle for the better execution of the African Union Agenda 2063.
The mandate of the AUDA-NEPAD is: to coordinate and execute priority regional and continental projects to promote regional integration towards the accelerated realisation of Agenda 2063.
Others are to strengthen capacity of African Union Member States and regional bodies; advance knowledge-based advisory support, undertake the full range of resource mobilisation, and serve as the continent’s technical interface with all Africa’s development stakeholders and development partners.