From Adwa to Medemer: Ethiopia’s Pan-African Legacy Meets Africa’s Quest for a New Development Era

Addis Ababa, November 3, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia, whose historic victory at Adwa inspired Africa’s struggle for freedom and self-determination, is preparing to bring political parties from across the continent to Addis Ababa for a consequential dialogue on Africa’s next historic undertaking: reclaiming its economic destiny, building its productive and institutional capacity, and translating the promise of political independence into genuine self-reliance and shared prosperity.

The Second African Political Parties Summit, scheduled for November 5–7 under the theme, “Governing for Growth: Political Parties as Architects of Africa’s Economic Future,” will bring together political party leaders and representatives, policymakers, parliamentarians, governance institutions, development partners, academics, civil society, youth leaders and private-sector actors.

Convened by the Africa Governance Centre in collaboration with the Ethiopian Government, the summit is hosted by Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party under the high patronage of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.

The gathering comes with a clear continental ambition: to reposition political parties as institutions that shape national development, rather than organisations whose roles begin and end with electoral competition.

Across Africa, the challenge of building productive economies, strengthening accountable institutions and creating opportunities for growing populations demands political leadership capable of developing long-term visions, sustaining policy priorities and mobilising national capabilities.

The summit seeks to advance that conversation through dialogue, cooperation and the exchange of experiences among political actors.

The choice of Ethiopia as host carries significance that reaches beyond its role as the venue. The victory of Adwa in 1896 became one of the most powerful symbols of African resistance to colonial domination, affirming the continent’s dignity and right to determine its own destiny.

Its influence extended across generations and helped nourish the spirit of Pan-Africanism. Addis Ababa, meanwhile, is home to the African Union headquarters and has long served as a centre of continental diplomacy and cooperation.

Bringing political parties together at the Adwa Memorial Centre therefore connects Africa’s historic struggle for sovereignty with its present-day pursuit of economic strength, institutional capacity and self-determined development.

For Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party, hosting the summit also provides a platform to bring the country’s Medemer philosophy into a wider African political conversation.

Built around synergy, collective effort and the mobilisation of individual and national capabilities, Medemer emphasises the power of cooperation in addressing complex development challenges. Its relevance to the summit lies in the shared question of how political leadership can unite people, institutions and resources around common national goals.

Ethiopia’s experience offers one perspective for continental exchange, while the gathering creates space for African political parties to learn from one another and consider approaches grounded in their own countries’ realities.

The summit’s programme is designed to address the practical foundations of economic transformation. Its main discussions will examine five areas: the role of political parties in building productive economies; fiscal governance; youth employment; partnerships with the private sector; and climate resilience, green development and industrialisation.

These priorities place economic production, public-resource management, employment creation and investment at the centre of the debate over Africa’s future. Ethiopia is also expected to contribute its own political and economic experiences through 23 presenters participating in the summit’s deliberations.

Africa once drew inspiration from Ethiopia’s victory at Adwa in its struggle for freedom, dignity and self-determination. Today, as the continent confronts the challenge of turning political independence into economic strength and shared prosperity, Ethiopia is bringing Africa’s political parties together in Addis Ababa for a new chapter of continental dialogue.

From November 5–7, 2026, the Second African Political Parties Summit will convene political leaders and stakeholders under the theme, “Governing for Growth: Political Parties as Architects of Africa’s Economic Future.”

Hosted by Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party, the summit will explore how political leadership can drive productive economies, strengthen institutions, create opportunities for young people and advance Africa’s development ambitions. It will also bring women and youth into the heart of the conversation.

From the historic spirit of Adwa to the contemporary vision of Medemer, Ethiopia is bringing its Pan-African legacy and experience to a continent-wide call for collective strength, self-reliance and a future shaped by Africans themselves.

Africa’s struggle for freedom changed history. Its determination to build a prosperous future can shape the generations to come.