Ethiopia will host the second edition of the African Political Parties Summit (APPS) from November 5 to 7, 2026, with political leaders and other stakeholders expected to deliberate on the role of political parties in Africa’s economic transformation.
The Africa Governance Centre (AGC), in collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia, will convene the summit in Addis Ababa under the theme “Governing for Growth: Political Parties as Architects of Africa’s Economic Future.” The summit will be held under the high patronage of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.
According to the organisers, the summit will bring together political party leaders and representatives, policymakers, parliamentarians, governance institutions, development partners, academics, civil society, youth leaders and private-sector actors.
The organisers said in a press statement that the meeting comes at a defining moment for Africa as countries pursue “economic transformation, regional integration, industrialisation and inclusive development” while dealing with complex governance and socio-economic challenges.
The summit will focus on the role of political parties in shaping public policy, strengthening democratic institutions and driving national development priorities.
The press statement said the summit “seeks to advance dialogue on how political leadership can contribute to building resilient economies, accountable institutions and sustainable development pathways.”
The 2026 edition is aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its vision of a prosperous, integrated and peaceful Africa driven by effective leadership, strong institutions and people-centred development.
The summit will also build on the inaugural African Political Parties Summit held in Accra, Ghana, in 2025, which resulted in the Accra Declaration. The Addis Ababa meeting is expected to advance that dialogue and develop a new set of commitments through the Addis Ababa Declaration.
Two flagship platforms will be held alongside the summit, the African Youth in Politics Forum (AYPF) and the Africa Women Political Leadership Summit (AWPLS).
The platforms will provide dedicated spaces to promote greater participation of young people and women in political leadership and address pathways towards greater representation in Africa’s political systems.
The organisers said recommendations from the three platforms will feed into the Addis Ababa Declaration, which will capture shared priorities and commitments aimed at strengthening political leadership, inclusive governance and development-oriented political institutions across Africa.
The summit will feature high-level plenary sessions, thematic dialogues and stakeholder engagements aimed at deepening collaboration among political actors and contributing to a governance environment capable of supporting “Africa’s aspirations for growth, stability and prosperity.”
Summary
- Ethiopia will host the second edition of the African Political Parties Summit (APPS) from November 5 to 7, 2026, with political leaders and other stakeholders expected to deliberate on the role of political parties in Africa’s economic transformation.
- The summit will also build on the inaugural African Political Parties Summit held in Accra, Ghana, in 2025, which resulted in the Accra Declaration.
- The organisers said recommendations from the three platforms will feed into the Addis Ababa Declaration, which will capture shared priorities and commitments aimed at strengthening political leadership, inclusive governance and development-oriented political institutions across Africa.
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