Africa Day – 25 May 2023

May is recognised as Africa Month and commemorates the continent’s founding of the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

Africa Day is celebrated every year on 25th May and is an opportunity to celebrate African diversity and success and highlight the cultural and economic potential of the African continent. Formally known as African Freedom Day and then African Liberation Day, it originates in the collective African resistance to colonialism and economic exploitation.

Africa Day commemorates the 1963 establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). On this day, leaders of 30 independent African states signed an established charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The OAU was established to assist numerous African countries in achieving transformation, freedom, and independence. Africa Day was convened by former Prime Minister of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkruma, and 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the signature of its founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The African Union (AU) has chosen “Acceleration of AfCFTA implementation” as its theme for 2023.