Nigeria has called on the African Union (AU) to develop innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms to strengthen Africa’s capacity to prevent and resolve conflicts.⁠⁠⁠

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the call on Saturday at the 26th Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive Council. 

The session was held in Luanda, Angola, under the theme, ‘Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.’ 

The minister’s call is contained in a statement by Magnus Eze, special assistant on communication and new media to the minister.

Ms Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended progress in strengthening the AU Peace Fund, noting significant contributions by member states towards its capitalisation target.

She said member states had collectively contributed $350.2 million, representing 87.5 per cent of the original $400 million capitalisation target.

According to her, the fund’s balance had exceeded $405 million, reflecting growing commitment to African-led peace and security initiatives.

She said the disbursement of about $39 million for mediation, preventive diplomacy, and peace support operations demonstrated the fund’s increasing relevance.

“We, therefore, call on all member states to honour their assessed contributions and make additional voluntary contributions where possible,” she said.

Ms Odumegwu-Ojukwu described such contributions as investments in collective security and sovereignty, rather than merely financial obligations imposed on member states.

The minister stressed that African-led peace operations require predictable, reliable financing for personnel, logistics, equipment, and other operational needs.

She warned that uncertain funding could undermine the effectiveness of African peace operations and weaken the continent’s ability to address conflicts independently.

The minister urged the AU to progressively reduce dependence on external assistance while acknowledging international partners’ continuing support for continental peace efforts.

“External assistance should complement African ownership; it should not substitute for it.

 “African resources should remain the foundation of African peace and security financing,” she said.

She advocated progressive capitalisation of the Peace Fund towards its one-billion-dollar target, alongside stronger resource mobilisation from African financial institutions.

Ms Odumegwu-Ojukwu also called for greater private-sector and strategic-partner participation in developing sustainable financing mechanisms for peace and security.

The minister urged full implementation of the 0.2 per cent levy established under the Kigali Financing Decision.

She also encouraged the AU Commission to examine innovative financing options that can generate predictable, sustainable long-term revenues.

Among the options proposed was member states’ voluntary provision of strategically located land for development by capable private-sector entities.

She said African multilateral financial institutions could also participate in mutually agreed arrangements designed to generate annual royalties for the AU.

According to her, such arrangements could simultaneously promote investment, infrastructure development and stronger partnerships among African institutions.

“Africa has the institutions, the financial capacity and the political vision to take greater responsibility for its own peace and security.

“What is required now is the collective political will to translate that capacity into action,” she said.

 Ms Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that innovative financing mechanisms must be anchored on transparency, accountability, sound financial management and effective oversight.

She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting collective African efforts towards sustainable peace, security and development across the continent.

The minister said a peaceful and secure Africa remained essential to achieving Agenda 2063 and building an integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent.

(NAN)