The African Union cannot compel member states, levy taxes, or deploy military force without consent. What it can do — with difficulty, slowly, and often incompletely — is set norms, coordinate action, and speak with a collective continental voice in global forums. Its current reform agenda asks whether it can do even those limited things better.

The financing question

More than 70% of the AU’s programme budget comes from external donors. The Kagame Report proposed a 0.2% levy on eligible imports so African governments could collectively fund their own continental institution. Thirty-three member states have passed the relevant legislation.

An Africa that cannot fund its own institutions cannot be said to own its own future.

The peace and security architecture

The wave of coups across West and Central Africa has given new urgency to strengthened mechanisms for suspending member states that come to power through unconstitutional means. A dedicated peace fund with clearer command structures for AU missions is also proposed.