Ouattara and Kaberuka discuss financial independence of African Union

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara met with Donald Kaberuka, the African Union’s High Representative for the financing of the bloc and its Peace Fund, on Wednesday to discuss efforts to strengthen the organisation’s financial independence.

The meeting, held in Abidjan on October 21, focused on the challenges of securing sustainable funding for the continental body and supporting Africa’s development, according to the Ivorian presidency.

The discussions come as the African Union seeks to reduce its reliance on external funding and strengthen its ability to finance its own priorities, including peace and security initiatives and continental development programmes.

In 2016, African leaders adopted a proposal for a 0.2% levy on eligible imports from outside the continent to help finance the AU’s budget and peace operations. Implementation has faced challenges, however, with differences among member states over the collection and application of the levy.

Greater financial autonomy is considered important to ensuring that the organisation can carry out its programmes with more predictable resources and greater control over its priorities.

The meeting also comes amid wider consultations between the Ivorian leadership and AU officials on regional integration, peace and security, and the organisation’s institutional capacity.

The extent to which the discussions will lead to new funding measures or concrete commitments was not immediately clear.

The African Union, which brings together 55 member states, has long sought more reliable funding mechanisms as it works to address conflicts, promote economic integration and advance its development agenda across the continent.