Officials, Diplomats, Malawians and Expatriates convened in Lilongwe on May 31, 2025, for the official commemoration of Africa Day held at the Bingu National Stadium, the event served as a powerful platform for calls to unity and collaborative action to unlock Africa's vast potential. The commemoration marked the 62nd anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union (AU).
Addressing the gathering, Malawi's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo, delivered a fervent plea for African nations to coalesce in addressing pressing challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change, asserting that "unity is key to unlocking the continent's full potential". Minister Tembo underscored Africa's immense natural wealth, highlighting its abundant minerals, oil, fertile land, and extensive water resources. She emphasized that the judicious management of these assets is critical to propelling the continent's economic growth.Drawing a poignant parallel to Africa's historical journey, Tembo stated, "We are coming straight out of colonialism and moving towards self-independence. Africa has to unite, integrate and maintain peace in order to develop". She further observed that many nations globally have achieved advanced development despite lacking Africa's natural resource endowments, reiterating that "Unity is crucial for Africa's progress".
The Minister elaborated that Africa's greatest strength lies in its collective solidarity, which could prove instrumental in tackling widespread issues such as pervasive youth unemployment, underdeveloped infrastructure, and persistent political instability. She concluded her address by urging Africans to view Africa Day not merely as a celebration, but as a compelling call to action towards forging a stronger and more prosperous future for the continent.
Echoing Minister Tembo's sentiments on the imperative of collaboration, Moroccan Ambassador to Malawi, Abdelkader Naji, stressed the necessity of a unified approach. "We must join our efforts to develop Africa. Progress cannot be achieved individually. It requires a collective approach," Ambassador Naji affirmed.
The collective message from the commemoration underscored a shared vision for an integrated, peaceful, and prosperous Africa, driven by mutual cooperation and the strategic harnessing of its intrinsic strengths.
