Second African Political Parties Summit Kicks Off Tomorrow in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, November 4, 2026 (ENA)— Ethiopia is set to host a three-day Second African Political Parties Summit beginning tomorrow, November 5, bringing together some 1,000 delegates from across the continent.

The summit is expected to focus on shifting the priorities of African political parties beyond short-term electoral competition toward long-term economic transformation and development.

Organized by Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party in collaboration with the African Governance Center, the summit will take place at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa under the theme, “Governing for Growth: Political Parties as Architects of Africa’s Economic Future.”

Briefing journalists today, Prosperity Party International Relations Director General Nebiyu Sihul said that, building on the inaugural summit held in Accra, Ghana, in 2025, the second edition will bring together heads of state, prime ministers, senior government officials, 80 senior parliamentarians and ministers, political party leaders, business executives, civil society representatives, and youth and women leaders.

Nebiyu noted that Ethiopia’s institutional capacity, diplomatic role, and historical significance were among the key reasons for selecting the country to host the continental gathering.

Addis Ababa’s position as a major destination for regional, continental, and international meetings was also a factor in its selection, he said, adding that Ethiopia’s preparations to host COP32 next year further demonstrate the capital’s capacity to accommodate large-scale global events.

The city's status as the political capital of Africa and a leading global diplomatic hub was another consideration.

The Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, the summit venue, was described as a fitting setting given its association with African independence, unity, and resilience.

 

He also highlighted Ethiopia’s contributions to African independence, Pan-African unity, and continental integration, alongside its progress in infrastructure and energy development, economic modernization, urban transformation, and tourism.

As the host country's ruling party, the Prosperity Party, one of the continent's largest political organizations, will leverage its institutional framework, policy experience, and national development track record to showcase practical models of economic modernization, urban transformation, and energy infrastructure.

Political parties should not focus solely on electoral processes but also serve as active agents of economic growth across the continent, Nebiyu noted, emphasizing that the summit aims to position political parties as drivers of economic development through policy coordination, inter-party dialogue, and accountable governance.

Delegates will discuss the establishment of a permanent inter-party platform for economic policy dialogue, alongside technical working groups focusing on fiscal governance, youth employment, industrialization, and economic resilience, he stated.

The summit's program will also include forums on African women's political leadership and youth participation.

It will further feature field visits, providing delegates with opportunities to explore Ethiopia's development and infrastructure projects.

The Prosperity Party also plans to present Ethiopia's experience in economic modernization, urban development, and energy infrastructure to visiting delegates, he said.

A proposed policy framework for aligning economic priorities across Africa, to be known as the Addis Ababa Declaration, is expected to be the summit's major outcome.