President John Dramani Mahama has urged African Union (AU) member states to fully implement the Union’s 0.2 per cent levy on eligible imports, arguing that Africa must mobilise its own resources to finance continental development and reduce dependence on external funding.
He made the call when Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, led a high-level delegation to pay a courtesy call on him in Accra on Friday, November 13, 2026.
The meeting focused on the AU’s financial independence, regional security, Africa’s debt burden and the continent’s broader development priorities ahead of Mr Mahama’s assumption of the AU chairmanship in January 2027.
Drawing lessons from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which operates a 0.5 per cent community levy to finance its activities, the President urged member states to translate the AU’s existing 0.2 per cent import levy framework into full implementation.
He argued that the levy should not be viewed as government expenditure but as a contribution collected on behalf of the African people to sustain the Union.
“It’s not government money to the AU; it’s the people’s money. Government is only a collecting agency,” President Mahama stated.
He pledged to engage other African leaders to build support for the full implementation of the levy, which is intended to provide the AU with a more predictable and sustainable source of funding.
The AU Commission Chairperson welcomed the President’s position and expressed appreciation for his commitment to advancing the Union’s financial self-reliance.
Mr Youssouf said the delegation was confident that Mr Mahama’s leadership would contribute significantly to shaping the future direction of the continental organisation.
He also pledged the Commission’s full support as the Ghanaian leader prepares to assume the AU chairmanship in January.
Africa’s financial sovereignty
The renewed push for the import levy comes amid growing efforts by African leaders to strengthen the financial independence of the AU and reduce its reliance on external development partners.
The issue featured prominently in discussions at the 27th Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive Council on financing the Union, hosted by Ghana in Accra on Friday.
The discussions highlighted the need for member states to take greater responsibility for financing the institution and its programmes.
Beyond the question of AU financing, President Mahama used the meeting to draw attention to the continent’s broader economic sovereignty, particularly the need to address Africa’s debt burden.
He called for effective debt treatment approaches and sustainable mechanisms to manage the continent’s growing debt challenges, arguing for solutions that would support Africa’s development priorities.
Accra Reset and regional security
President Mahama also briefed the delegation on the Accra Reset Initiative, which seeks to strengthen Africa’s sovereignty and resilience through improved vaccine production, increased access to vaccines and stronger healthcare systems across the continent.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to reduce Africa’s dependence on external sources for critical health supplies and strengthen its capacity to respond to public health challenges.
Regional security and relations among African countries also featured in the discussions.
Mr Youssouf commended President Mahama for his efforts to bridge differences between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), as relations between the two regional blocs remain an important concern for West Africa.
The AU Commission Chairperson also praised the President’s advocacy for reparative justice and his efforts to advance Africa’s reparations agenda on the international stage.
The engagement forms part of consultations ahead of Mr Mahama’s assumption of the AU chairmanship, with financial self-reliance, regional cooperation, debt sustainability and Africa’s development sovereignty emerging as key issues on the continental agenda.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
