Harare: AfricUpdate – News Desk
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is hosting the Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments in Midrand, South African this Monday. The 2025 Conference comes at a critical time in Africa’s transformation journey as the continent consolidates the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The continent is also deepening regional integration and strengthening resilience against external shocks and leveraging digital transformation and innovation ecosystems, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) to fast-track economic development, diversification and service delivery. Other key issues include advancing peace, security and democratic consolidation amid ongoing conflicts, terrorism, violent extremism and governance challenges.
The African continent is also responding to global issues such as climate change, food insecurity, pandemics, debt distress and persistent socio-economic challenges. The PAP led by Chief Fortune Charumbira was established as a legislative arm of the African Union (AU) to provide a unique continental platform for dialogue, consultation and collective action among African legislators. Zimbabwe is represented at the PAP by Honourable Pupurai Togarepi, Honourable Tafanana Zhou, Honourable Elizabeth Masuku and Honourable Happymore Chidziva.
