The African Union (AU) relies heavily on external funding, with estimates indicating that around 60-75% of its budget comes from international partners, particularly the European Union (EU), United States, China, and others like the World Bank and Turkey. The EU is the largest contributor, funding significant portions of the AU’s peace and security initiatives, such as through the European Peace Facility. For instance, in 2021, about 65% of the AU’s $623.8 million budget was financed by external partners, with only 32% from member states. This dependency stems from irregular or insufficient contributions from AU member states, with over 40% failing to pay their yearly dues, and historical reliance on a few key African contributors like Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Nigeria, and South Africa, which have faced internal challenges since 2010.
The AU has been working toward financial autonomy through reforms, notably the 2016 Kigali Financing Decision, which introduced a 0.2% levy on eligible imports to member states to fund operations and reduce donor reliance. This levy aims to raise $1.2 billion annually but faces implementation challenges, as it’s a political commitment with limited enforcement. The AU Peace Fund, revitalized in 2022, also seeks predictable financing for peace and security, but external donors still dominate, especially for peace support operations, which are often fully funded by partners.
This funding dynamic influences the AU’s priorities, with critics arguing that external donors’ interests can overshadow African-driven agendas.
The push for self-financing continues, but external funding remains critical, shaping its operations and partnerships.
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