The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, will lead the South African delegation at the 27th Extraordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council on the Financing of the Union in Accra, Ghana, on 13 November 2026.

This joint session will bring together ministers of foreign affairs and finance to consider the Report of the High Representative on Financing the Union and the Peace Fund.

The session takes place as AU Member States increasingly voice concerns about dependence on external funding sources and the need to minimise the risks associated with prescriptive funding conditions and external influence.

“The financing of the AU is a discussion that is as urgent as it is timely, given the shrinking pool of external funding. In this fractured geopolitical context, partners we have relied on are redirecting their resources to other priorities. Unless we match political ownership with financial ownership, our aspirations for development, integration and silencing the guns will be at risk at a time when their realisation is most needed,” said Minister Lamola.

The session will also consider a proposal on the strategic partnership between the AU and African multilateral financial institutions.

On the margins, Minister Lamola will hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts on issues of mutual interest and concern.

Media enquiries: Ms Phindile Kunene, Ministerial Spokesperson – +2772 3906634

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084