African leaders arrive in Addis Ababa for 39th AU Summit, Africa–Italy Summit

Addis Ababa, February 12, 2026 (ENA)—Several African Heads of State and Government arrived in Addis Ababa today to attend the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) and the inaugural Africa–Italy Summit, to be hosted for the first time on African soil in the capital of Africa.

The leaders, who include President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. of Liberia, Prime Minister Américo d'Oliveira dos Ramos of São Tomé and Príncipe and the President of the African Development Bank Group, Sidi Ould Tah, were warmly received at Bole International Airport by Minister of Health, Mekdes Daba ,Minister of Planning and Development, Fitsum Assefa and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye.

This year’s AU Summit will be held under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” and will bring together heads of state, government officials, and partners to advance continental priorities.

According to the schedule the delegates will remain in Addis Ababa through Sunday to take part in high-level deliberations, side meetings and the historic Africa–Italy Summit convened to strengthen political, economic and development partnerships.

Alongside the event, Ethiopia is preparing to showcase its recent achievements, highlighting major corridor development projects and successful riverside development initiatives that demonstrate progress in infrastructure, trade facilitation and sustainable local development.

Government hosts said the exhibitions and site briefings aim to provide visiting leaders and delegations a first-hand account of the country’s development trajectory.

The two summits will bring together African and international leaders to discuss water and sanitation, peace and security, economic integration, infrastructure development and strategic partnerships.