23rd Meeting of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC)

The HSGOC provides leadership to the NEPAD process, sets policies, priorities and the programmes of action. At the inception of the NEPAD programme, the membership of the HSGOC was 15, inclusive of the five (5) originating countries. To promote inclusiveness and inspire ownership within Africa, HSGOC membership was enlarged to the present 20 countries by the AU Assembly.

The Orientation Committee comprises the Heads of State and Government of twenty (20) African states, which are elected on the basis of the AU five regions. This 20-member Committee includes the five initiating countries of NEPAD. The membership of the 15 member-states elected into the HSGOC rotates every two years or as advised following regional consultations within the Union. The Chairperson of the AU Commission also participates in HSGOC Summits.