The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma paid her first official courtesy visit to the offices of the NEPAD Agency on Monday, September 30, 2013.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma’s first point-of-call was at the office of the CEO of the NEPAD Agency, Dr. Ibrahim A. Mayaki. At this meeting, the AUC Chairperson highlighted various aspects of some of NEPAD’s premier programmes including CAADP and PIDA. She emphasized the importance of the NEPAD Agency as the technical body of the African Union and its importance in the formulation of the AU’s Agenda 2063. 

The Chairperson also noted that the AU has designated 2014 as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security, and so she expects the NEPAD Agency to contribute positively towards the January 2014 Summit where the year will be launched. Dr. Mayaki responded by recommitting all the Agency’s efforts towards accompanying the AU on its wider mission towards Africa’s development.

The CEO also used this meeting to update the AU Chairperson on the plans underway to relocate the headquarters of the NEPAD Agency from Midrand to Centurion.

The AU Chairperson completed her visit with a short address to members of staff of the NEPAD Agency. In her speech, she noted that this courtesy visit was very short, but that she intends to return to Midrand before the end of this year, in order to spend a morning interacting and engaging with staff for a longer and more substantive period.