Africa’s participation at Expo 2020 in Dubai is not the only testament to the long-standing bilateral friendship between the UAE and Africa. It also offers unlimited opportunities for African countries as well as businesses to reach an international audience, setting the perfect platform for potential investments and forge new global partnerships that will reinvigorate economies across the globe.
For six months, alongside 192 other countries, key African stakeholders will share best practices and showcase the continent’s vast economic potential through the Expo 2020 Dubai global platform.
The African Union pavilion
Opportunity is said to be at the heart of development and unlocking the potential within individuals and their communities to help shape a better future for all. This is why the African Union’s Pavilion is located within the Opportunity District.
The AU Pavillion aims to take you on a journey from the time when the Pan-African organisation was formed, showcase Africa’s achievements and highlighting pathways for investment as underlined in the Africa’s developmental blueprint – The AU Agenda 2063 Aspirations.
To enhance the visit experience in their pavillion, the organisation has used video, audio visuals, pictures and interactive screens to capture the essence and progress of the continent, divided by a linear theme within designated zones:
Zone 1 – ‘Our History – Founding Fathers’
For the longest time the narrative has been told from the colonial perspective. Experience it first hand as it is told by those who are the custodians of the vision of Africa and making it work for its present and future generations through telling the story of inception to rebirth.
A continent rich in its ethnic identity and diversity tells the world about where it is going and why it matters that world stands in awe as it experiences this first-hand.
These stories told by Africa’s founding fathers are all about how Africans formed a continental body known as the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to fight for liberation and bring the Pan-African ideas to reality.
‘Our Founding Mothers’
African women, under the leadership of activists like Aoua Keita from Mali, Jeanne Martin Cissé from Guinea and Pauline Clark from Ghana, founded the Pan African Women’s Organisation (PAWO) in 1962.
The first continental women’s organization, PAWO, was founded in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, at a time where majority of African countries were still searching for independence.
One of PAWO’s greatest achievements was the notable contribution towards the struggle for national liberation and national development. Highlighting the important role women played which paved way for the the founding fathers’ meeting in 1963.
Also read: How Africa can use Expo 2020 Dubai as a launchpad for growth
Zone 2 – ‘Our Transformation’
The Transformation from the OAU to AU was officially launched in 2002 with the primary aim of prioritising regional cooperation and integration as well as sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development.
The African narrative has shifted and Africa’s stakeholders – its citizens – are seeking partnerships with interested stakeholders who share similar – if not the same – aspirations for a future full of endless possibilities. There is a yearning to collaboratively work with partners to achieve the Vision of Africa’s Agenda 2063.
This Zone will take visitors through Africa’s transformation journey, sharing stories of how the continent is finally taking ownership of building the Africa it envisions.
Zone 3 – Our Heritage
Taking you on a journey of the rich and exuberant African culture; showcasing music, film and dance from the contient. profiling young talent, successful women – past and modern heroines, cityscapes and cultural artefacts.
This zone will take visitors through a journey that enhances their auditory experience and assimilate into the boundless traditional sights and sounds of the wondrous African continent.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔, and the six month-long #Expo2020 presents the perfect platform to showcase, to the world, that indeed; 𝘈𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦. #AUatExpo #Agenda2063 pic.twitter.com/ue20BIo3Yp
— #AUatExpo (@AU_Partnerships) October 5, 2021
Spotlight on Africa
The Spotlight on Africa programme is designed to curate activities that focus on the continent’s innovations, business opportunities, incredible artwork, culture, heritage as well as environmental and sustainability initiatives.
This programme aims to ensure an elevated and authentic visibility of Africa as told by Africans at the 6-month long mega event. This will also serve as a platform to showcase to the world some of the continent’s best practices as it grows ever stronger toward a better future.
