At the opening ceremony of the 38th African Union Summit, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed delivered a powerful message focused on Africa’s growth, unity, and self-reliance. His speech highlighted several key points aimed at shaping the continent’s future.

Abiy emphasized the importance of Pan-Africanism and integration, which he believes are vital for strengthening diversity and unity among African nations. He called for erasing the scars of colonialism through self-reliance, particularly by overcoming poverty and implementing modern agricultural technologies. Ethiopia’s success as the leading wheat producer in Africa was presented as a model for achieving food self-sufficiency.

The Prime Minister also urged the African diaspora to actively engage in building a sustainable future, fostering a sense of responsibility across generations. He brought attention to the need for reparations, framing it as a matter of justice that ensures dignity and equality for all Africans, with a call to hold colonial powers accountable for their negative legacy on the continent.

Abiy highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between African states to harness the continent’s full potential and urged Africa to be competitive in the global technological race, especially in fields like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and mobile technology. These sectors, he noted, could help address critical challenges such as climate change, infrastructure gaps, and public health.

In his vision, Africa must not only benefit from global technological advancements but also make significant contributions to global civilization through modern education and innovation. Abiy’s message reflects a bold and forward-thinking vision for Africa’s role on the world stage, centered on unity, progress, and self-sufficiency.