Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday left Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2026 African Union Summit.
The summit, themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” is expected to centre on continental approaches to water sustainability, improved sanitation, and broader development priorities under the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
During his stay in Addis Ababa, Shettima will take part in the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government as well as the 30th General Assembly, scheduled for February 14 and 15, 2026.
He is also billed to attend high-level side events and hold bilateral meetings with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic relations, economic cooperation, and strategic partnerships across the continent.
The Vice President is travelling with cabinet ministers and other senior government officials and is expected back in Nigeria after concluding his official engagements.
The 2026 AU Summit includes a series of preparatory and statutory meetings. These began with the Permanent Representatives’ Committee, which held from January 12 to 30, 2026.
The Executive Council meeting, designed to bridge ministerial and leadership levels, is scheduled for February 11 and 12, while the AU Assembly will take centre stage on February 14 and 15.
Key issues expected to dominate discussions include continental integration, peace, and stability, particularly in Sudan, South Sudan, and the Sahel.
The summit will also address elections within the Peace and Security Council, progress on the African Continental Free Trade Area, sustainable agriculture through CAADP, and efforts to cut food imports.
Other areas of focus include climate resilience initiatives such as the Great Green Wall, digital transformation, public health programmes through the Africa CDC, youth and human capital development, and institutional reforms, including AU financing and strategic partnerships, with insights expected from South Africa’s G20 report.
Complementary sessions will also examine education, governance, and health, with Africa CDC dialogues on financing and manufacturing in the health sector scheduled for February 13 and 14.
