Our Platforms
African Political Parties Summit (APPS)
Flagship Convening of the African Political Parties Initiative (APPI)
Overview
A long-term institutional platform
The African Political Parties Summit (APPS) is the annual flagship political convening of the African Political Parties Initiative (APPI), bringing together heads of state, leaders of political parties, secretaries-general, parliamentarians, political thinkers, and strategic partners to shape the future of political leadership and party governance across Africa.
The Summit serves as the premier continental platform for structured inter-party dialogue, leadership development, reform consensus, and political system renewal. Unlike traditional political events, APPS is not a one-off gathering but part of a long-term institutional platform designed to deepen political accountability and democratic transformation.
Summit objectives
What the Summit sets out to achieve
Facilitate high-level dialogue between political parties, governments, and continental institutions on governance reform, democratic transitions, and party system development
Establish collective political commitments and joint declarations on national and continental priorities
Advance intra-party and inter-party reform agendas rooted in democratic principles, public trust, and developmental leadership
Promote inclusive political leadership through the integration of youth, women, and underrepresented voices in party systems
Align political party platforms with continental frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Agenda 2063, and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)
Why APPS matters
Responding to a growing legitimacy crisis
Across Africa, political parties face a growing legitimacy crisis. Weak internal governance, elite capture, fragmented ideologies, exclusionary leadership, and a disconnect from national development planning have undermined public trust in political institutions.
APPS responds to this challenge by creating a space for serious reflection, bold commitments, and strategic collaboration. It enables political actors to move beyond electoral competition and toward a shared continental vision for party-based governance reform.
Structure of the Summit
Each annual APPS is built around a structured programme
Presidential and Party Leaders Panel
A strategic roundtable with sitting heads of state and party chairs to discuss political reform, transitions, and continental leadership.
Plenary Sessions and High-Level Panels
Thematic sessions covering intra-party democracy, policy capacity, inclusive leadership, party financing, governance innovations, and regional integration.
Breakout Sessions and Policy Clusters
Facilitated dialogues on key reform areas such as constitutional change, digital democracy, parliamentary reform, and leadership education.
Institutional Declarations and Communiqués
Collective commitments signed and endorsed by participating political parties and heads of delegation.
Special forums
Events within the summit programme
- African Youth in Politics Forum (AYPF)
- Continental Taskforce on Political Engagement for AfCFTA (CTPE-AfCFTA) Consultations
- Political Education Roundtables
- Dialogue on Peaceful Transitions and Conflict Prevention
Participation
The APPS brings together
- Heads of State and Government
- Political Party Leaders and Secretaries-General
- Members of Parliament and Political Councils
- Youth and Women's Wings of Political Parties
- Leaders of Electoral Commissions and Constitutional Bodies
- Thought Leaders, Scholars, and Governance Experts
- Development Partners, Regional Institutions, and Media
Summit outputs
Each edition delivers concrete outcomes
A formal Summit Declaration signed by participating parties
A series of Joint Commitments tracked through the APPI Implementation Framework
Media coverage and dissemination of summit proceedings across the continent
Upcoming Summit
APPS 2025 — Accra, Ghana
“From Politics to Prosperity: Strengthening Inter-Party Collaboration for Africa's Development and Economic Transformation,”
12–14 Aug 2025
Date
Accra, Ghana
Location
Special features
- Presidential Panel
- Strategic sessions on party policy alignment with AfCFTA and Agenda 2063
- Launch of the Political Academy for Transformative Leadership
- Women and Youth Political Forums
- Exhibition of party knowledge products and reform toolkits
Partner with APPS
Join the Summit as an institutional partner
Institutions interested in partnering with the Summit as knowledge contributors, co-hosts, sponsors, or technical supporters may express interest through the APPI Secretariat.