The African Development Forum (ADF) at KDI School of Public Policy and Management has called for a renewed commitment to translating Africa's longstanding ideals of unity and solidarity into tangible development outcomes for citizens across the continent.

The call was made during the commemoration of Africa Day 2026 held at the KDI School's 103 Building Lounge, where African students, members of the African diaspora and friends of the continent gathered to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU).

Held under the theme "Sixty-three Years of Unity, Integration and Development: Let's Celebrate Together," the event focused on the role of young Africans in shaping the continent's future. Delivering the keynote address, Haruna Mohammed of Ghana(MDP 2025)  challenged participants to move beyond symbolic expressions of Pan-African solidarity toward measurable improvements in the lives of ordinary Africans.

According to him, while the OAU and later the African Union succeeded in building a continental political identity, promoting liberation struggles and establishing institutions for cooperation, the defining challenge for the current generation is ensuring that these achievements translate into jobs, improved living standards, stronger public services and inclusive economic opportunities for citizens.

"The next test is converting these gains into measurable development outcomes for Africa's children," Mohammed stated, arguing that the credibility of continental unity should ultimately be judged by its impact on the daily lives of Africans. He noted that Africa's development challenge is not a lack of vision but the need for stronger implementation capacity, capable institutions and accountable governance systems that can transform continental commitments into practical results.

Mohammed noted that while Africa possesses immense demographic and economic potential, realising these opportunities will require coordinated action among governments, regional institutions, universities, development practitioners and young people.

In his remarks, President of the African Development Forum, Osman Sumaila, underscored the central role of young Africans in driving the continent's transformation agenda, saying, “The youth are not waiting for the future but are building it right now. We are moving beyond the old scripts of limitation to prove that African genius is not just a dream, but a global necessity.” Sumaila noted that Africa Day should serve as an opportunity for reflection on how young Africans can contribute to governance reforms, economic integration, technological innovation and sustainable development across the continent.

Mariama Nyang, a Public Policy PhD student from The Gambia, said the diversity of the African student community at KDI School shows the power of shared purpose and collective ambition: 'What connects us so deeply on this campus is a shared sense of purpose. We look at Korea's emphasis on human capital and technology, and we see what is possible for our countries when we take these lessons and apply them together.'

Also speaking, Momoh Yallah (MDP), a Liberian student , described the event as a reflection of the enduring spirit of African solidarity. "I feel so excited associating with my friends, and it shows our level of unity even outside of our individual countries. We celebrate our resilience and our limitless potential," he said.

The gathering included a session where students spoke about spectacular things outsiders may not know about their individual countries and a renewed commitment to use their education at KDI School as a tool for advancing Africa's development agenda and realising the vision of an integrated, prosperous and people-centred continent.