This theme focuses on Africa’s strategic drive towards deeper economic integration, sustainable growth, and stronger intra-African cooperation. It seeks stories that unpack the people, policies, institutions, and innovations advancing the continent’s vision for shared prosperity and collective self-reliance under Agenda 2063.

Story proposals should address:

• How trade, tourism, investment, and industrialisation are being advanced through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
• Efforts to integrate high-potential sectors such as aviation, particularly through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
• Strategies to promote integrated value chains, value addition in Africa’s commodities and mining industries, and the development of Africa’s green minerals sector.
• Initiatives promoting people-to-people integration, pan-Africanism, and human development through the Free Movement of Persons in Africa.
• Policies and initiatives supporting the financing of Africa’s development, including debt management, tax governance, enhancing the African Union’s financial autonomy, the impact of credit rating agencies, and measures to curb illicit financial flows.

• Advancing Trade, tourism, Investments, and industrialisation and promoting efforts towards Africa’s Economic integration through implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
• Promoting economic integration of high potential commercial sectors such as aviation through the Single African Air transport (SAATM);
• Promoting integrated value chains, and value addition in Africa’s Commodities and Mining Industries and Africa’s Green Minerals
• Promoting people-people integration, pan Africanism and human development through Free Movement of Persons in Africa
• Financing Africa’s Development – policies on debt, tax governance, financial autonomy of the African Union, the role of credit rating agencies, managing illicit financial flows

Reference Material:
AfCFTA Secretariat; The Free Movement of Persons in Africa Protocol; The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM); Migration Policy Framework for Africa; Labour Migration Statistics Reports; EU-Africa Partnership on Migration, Mobility and Employment; Youth Mobility for Africa; Financing the African Union; Guidelines for AU Member States on Dealing with Credit Agencies; African Credit Rating Agency; Africa Visa Openness Report; Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy.

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This theme explores Africa’s rapidly growing sports and creative sectors as powerful engines for inclusive economic growth, job creation, and cultural expression. It invites stories that highlight how these emerging industries can unlock new opportunities for youth, strengthen local economies, and position Africa as a global hub for innovation and talent.

Story proposals should address:

• The development of Africa’s sports economy, including its potential to drive economic growth, generate employment, foster youth development, boost tourism, and stimulate investment in sports infrastructure.
• The rise of Africa’s cultural and creative industries (CCIs) spanning performing and visual arts, audio-visual and multimedia production, publishing, music, gaming, interactive media, cultural heritage, architecture, and fashion with a focus on stories that advocate for increased investment and policy support to grow the CCIs into a leading economic sector for Africa’s future.

Reference Material:
Emerging Economic Sectors - Sports & the Culture and Creative Industries Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries in Africa; AU Sports Council; Policy Framework for The Sustainable Development of Sport in Africa; Common African Film Market Initiative.

This theme highlights Africa’s commitment to transforming its agricultural sector and safeguarding its environment to ensure food security, sustainable livelihoods, and climate resilience. It seeks stories that showcase innovative practices, investments, and regional collaborations advancing a greener, more sustainable Africa.

Story proposals should address:

• • Investment in sustainable, modern agriculture and agribusiness in line with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
• • Initiatives promoting environmental sustainability and climate action through renewable energy, reforestation, and regional projects such as the Great Green Wall of Africa.
• • The emerging potential of Africa’s Blue Economy, including sustainable use of ocean and water resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ecosystem health.

Reference materials include:

Agricultural Development & Environment Management The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP); CAADP Strategy and Action Plan; The Great Green Wall Initiative Strategy and Ten-Year Implementation Framework; The Great Green Wall Initiative Strategy and Ten-Year Implementation Framework; Africa Blue Economy Strategy; Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Action Plan ;

This theme focuses on the essential role of good governance in driving social and economic development, peace, security, and stability across Africa. It calls for stories that highlight efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law, and promote transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights as foundations for inclusive and sustainable development.

Story proposals should address:

• How good governance practices contribute to social and economic progress, peacebuilding, and stability.
• Initiatives that advance transparency, accountability, and the rule of law at local, national, or regional levels.
• Efforts to protect and promote human rights and strengthen democratic institutions as part of Africa’s development agenda under Agenda 2063.

Reference materials include:
Promoting Good Governance The African Peer Review Mechanism; The Africa Governance Report; AU Master Roadmap to Silence the Guns; Continental Framework for Youth, Peace and Security; Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Peace Building; African Union Human Rights Treaties; AU Treaties on Migration, Labour and Refugees; AU Treaties on Governance.

Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) will sponsor five fellows to pioneer this health-focused track, offering them a unique opportunity to work closely with public health experts and report on some of the continent’s most urgent health priorities.

Story proposals should address:

• Lessons learned from COVID-19, mpox, Ebola, Marburg, and other health emergencies and how they are shaping current strategies and preparedness plans
• The role of Africa CDC, national public health institutions, and partnerships in building robust, agile, and inclusive health systems.
• Unpacking the state of vaccine development, distribution, and equity across the continent — with a spotlight on local manufacturing and regional supply chains.
• Exploring how digital tools, laboratory networks, and data-driven systems are revolutionizing disease detection, response, and public trust.

Reference materials include:
Promoting Africa’s Public Health Systems Africa CDC’s New Public Health Order; Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM); Digital Transformation to strengthen public health systems; EU-Africa health systems initiatives.

This theme focuses on the critical role of modern infrastructure, technological advancement, and innovation in driving Africa’s industrialisation and competitiveness in the global economy. It calls for stories that highlight investments, policies, and initiatives positioning Africa to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Story proposals should address:

• How investment in large-scale, interconnected infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies, and human capital development is advancing Africa’s industrialisation and economic integration.
• Efforts to promote clean and sustainable energy solutions to power Africa’s industries and support climate-resilient growth.
• The development of Africa’s emerging space industry, including its potential to drive technological innovation, data-driven decision-making, and regional collaboration.

Reference materials include:
Transforming Africa through Investment in Infrastructure, Technology and Digital Innovation Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA); The African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM); Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa; Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy; African Digital Compact; AU Data Policy Framework; The Continental (Power System) Master Plan (CMP); Africa-EU Energy Partnership; Global Gateway Africa – Europe Investment Package; Continental Energy Programme in Africa (CEPA); Continental Energy Programme in Africa (CEPA). Science Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA).