Africa Day 2026: AU envoy raises alarm on water crisis

…unveils essay competition

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

In a bid to address the growing challenge of water scarcity and poor sanitation across Africa, the Pan African AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission has unveiled activities for the 2026 Africa Day Celebration and Essay Competition.

The announcement was made by the Global President of the Mission, Amb. Dr. Stephen Gbatigbi Ben-Joel, during a press conference attended by members of the Local Organising Committee, on Tuesday in Abuja

Describing the event as a call to action for Africa’s future, Ben-Joel said the initiative goes beyond celebration and speaks directly to the responsibility of Africans to shape the continent’s development.

He noted that Africa Day, marked annually on May 25, reflects the continent’s unity and long standing vision captured in Agenda 2063.

He said, “Africa Day, commemorated annually on the 25th of May, stands as a powerful reminder of our collective journey one rooted in unity, resilience, and a shared vision for a prosperous and integrated continent, as articulated in Agenda 2063: ‘The Africa We Want’,” he stated.

The 2026 celebration, scheduled to hold from May 23 to May 25 in Abuja, will take place at Transcorp Hilton, Jabi Lake Mall and the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters, with over 1,000 participants expected.

Speaking on the theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” Ben-Joel stressed the urgency of tackling water challenges across the continent.

He said, “Water is life, Water is dignity, Water is development. Yet, across our continent, millions still lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. This challenge continues to affect health outcomes, education, economic productivity, and human dignity”.

He called on governments, development partners and the private sector to scale up investment and collaboration in the water and sanitation sector.

He said the event will feature activities including the Africa Unity Walk, Africa Shield Bearers Diplomatic Unveiling Ceremony, webinar series on water sustainability and climate resilience, cultural masquerade festival, Makossa music night, African history movie night and the Africa Day Conference.

A major highlight of the programme is the Africa Day Essay Competition 2026 themed, “Reimagining Africa: Lessons from History, Pathways to the Future,” aimed at primary and secondary school students across the continent.

According to him, the competition is designed to encourage critical thinking, deepen understanding of Africa’s history and inspire innovative ideas aligned with Agenda 2063, with outstanding participants to be recognised during the celebration.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Amb. Phil Roberts, said the event remains a reflection of Africa’s unity and shared destiny.

He added that the committee is committed to delivering a memorable celebration that promotes dialogue, cultural exchange and youth engagement.

In her closing remarks, Secretary of the Local Organising Committee, Amb. Dr. Elizabeth Emeka-Onwuchekwa, urged Africans to take responsibility for the continent’s future, particularly in addressing water and sanitation challenges.

She also called on young people to take advantage of the essay competition.

“To our young people, we say: your voice matters. Your ideas matter. Your future is now,” she added.

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