Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, urged African nations to fully finance their own institutions to safeguard sovereignty and reduce dependence on external partners.
Speaking virtually, yesterday, during the African Union Joint Sitting of the Ministerial Committee on the Scale of Assessment and Contributions and the Committee of Fifteen Ministers of Finance (F15), Prof. Murwira stressed that Africa’s programmes and priorities should be funded primarily by member states.
“Africa’s programmes and priorities should be financed by Africans. Financial sustainability is essential to safeguarding our sovereignty, operational independence and our ability to make decisions that are in the best interests of our continent,” said Prof. Murwira.
The Minister urged all AU member states to honour their assessed contributions in full and within stipulated timelines, noting that although significant progress has been made in mobilising resources for the African Union’s 2026 Regular Budget, substantial funding gaps remain.
“While a considerable amount has already been secured towards the 2026 Regular Budget, there remains a significant funding gap that must be addressed collectively. Member States must honour their financial obligations in full and on time if we are to build a self-reliant and resilient African Union,” he said.
Prof. Murwira highlighted Zimbabwe’s commitment to continental development and financial responsibility.
“Zimbabwe is among the 22 African Union member states that have fully paid their assessed contributions for 2026. Zimbabwe settled its financial obligations to the African Union on 12 February 2026.
The Country’s timely payment reflects the country’s unwavering support for the African Union’s vision of an integrated, prosperous and self-financing Africa,” he added.
On the proposed African Union Scale of Assessment for the period 2027 to 2029, Prof. Murwira reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s support for the harmonised option, which has received unanimous endorsement from Southern African countries.
“The harmonised option provides a fair, predictable and equitable framework that balances Member States’ financial responsibilities while protecting countries from excessive financial shocks,” he said.
Prof. Murwira called on the Joint Sitting to adopt the harmonised proposal, arguing that it offers a sustainable mechanism for financing the African Union while promoting inclusivity and equity among member states.
“Africa’s unity, sovereignty and long-term development depends on our collective commitment to fully finance our own institutions,” he said.
The Minister said greater financial ownership by African countries remains fundamental to advancing the continent’s development agenda and strengthening the African Union’s institutional independence.
