AUDA-NEPAD Expands Reach with New National Office in Congo-Brazzaville

In a move to deepen its impact across African Union Member States, the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) has signed an agreement with the Government of the Republic of Congo to establish a National Office in Brazzaville.

The deal, formalized on April 1, 2025, was signed by His Excellency Guy Nestor Itoua, Secretary General of the Congo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing the Congolese government, and AUDA-NEPAD CEO Nardos Bekele-Thomas, on behalf of AUDA-NEPAD.

This development aligns with AUDA-NEPAD’s ongoing effort to expand its footprint across Africa, as previously reported by African Newspage. As reported earlier, AUDA-NEPAD has been working tirelessly to embed its trail at the national level, and the new office in Brazzaville is a concrete step toward realizing this goal.

The Congo office is part of the Agency’s National Footprint Structures aimed at accelerating the implementation of Agenda 2063, Africa’s blueprint for transformative growth. The new office will act as a strategic hub to deliver technical support and drive development in Congo across key sectors such as health, infrastructure, agriculture, and industrialization.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, AUDA-NEPAD CEO Nardos Bekele-Thomas emphasized the significance of this milestone. “This agreement is a game-changer for our collaboration with the Republic of Congo. It underscores our commitment to tailoring solutions that empower governments and communities to achieve sustainable growth,” she said.

Congo, one of the 48 AU Member States engaged in AUDA-NEPAD’s Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of Agenda 2063, is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the continent’s development agenda. With training on domestication tools for Agenda 2063 already underway, the country is well-equipped to leverage this partnership for transformative projects that align with Africa’s collective aspirations.

This latest move builds on AUDA-NEPAD’s broader strategy to accelerate progress across the continent, as highlighted in a recent African Newspage report on the agency’s efforts to expand its reach across the continent. By establishing a physical presence in Brazzaville, AUDA-NEPAD aims to bridge the gap between policy and action, ensuring that development programs are effectively implemented.

For the people of Congo and beyond, this agreement signals a renewed commitment to issues such as youth empowerment, public health, and economic resilience — core pillars of AUDA-NEPAD’s work. As Africa marches toward the aspirations and goals of Agenda 2063, the new AUDA-NEPAD office in Brazzaville will foster collaboration between AU institutions and Member States.