Continental policy platform
Africa is ageing rapidly.Policy and programs must catch up.
The Pan-Africa Dialogue Series on Ageing and Development — convened by The Dave Omokaro Foundation, co-chaired by HelpAge International.
The opportunity
The demographic transition is already here.
By 2050 Africa’s 60+ population will triple. Sub-Saharan and Northern Africa will see the fastest growth in older persons globally, reshaping labour, health, social protection and care systems. Yet ageing remains marginal in national planning. The cost of inaction is strained health systems, lost productivity and rights violations.
Current gap: uneven policy, data and capacity for age-inclusive systems across Africa.
- 3x
- Growth in Africa's 60+ population by 2050
- 9
- Global and regional steering partners
- 5
- Sessions executed in the first six months
- 400+
- Leaders engaged across sectors
Mandate, vision and mission
Mandate
To elevate ageing within Africa's development agenda and translate global and continental commitments into coherent, context-responsive policy approaches, strategies and intergenerational programs for a longevity economy.
Vision
Every African country adopts scalable, dignified, ageing-inclusive systems through practical policy approaches and strategies.
Mission
To support every AU member state to adopt and implement ageing-inclusive national plans.
Our approach
We convene government leaders, technocrats, civil society, researchers and the private sector in structured dialogue. The annual calendar is prepared collaboratively, with each partner identifying a thematic focus, title and preferred month. The series runs from March through December, with a hiatus in August.
Each session produces evidence-based Briefing Notes submitted directly to the African Union Commission for consideration by the Specialized Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment.
Direct line
- 01Dialogue session convened with co-leading partners
- 02Evidence-based Briefing Note produced
- 03Submitted to the African Union Commission
- 04Considered by the AU STC on Social Development
Proof of concept
Five sessions. Six months. Continental traction.
- IThe Quiet Demographic ShiftCo-led by UN DESA and AUC
- IITaking Stock: Recalibrating Policy Through MIPAACo-led by UN DESA and UNECA
- IIISocial Protection, Older Persons and RightsCo-led by HelpAge International
- IVFrom Voices to ImpactCo-led by OHCHR and SGA Africa
- VReframing Healthy Ageing and Long-term Community CareCo-led by IFA and DOF
Reach
400+ leaders across government, NGOs, academia, research and the private sector engaged regionally and globally.
Policy uptake
Briefing Notes feed directly into AUC and Specialized Technical Committee sessions.
AU endorsement
Recognised in July 2026 by the AU STC on Social Development, Labour and Employment as the continental platform on ageing and development.
Capacity building
UN DESA-funded African regional capacity building on the MIPAA Review, November 2026.
The AUC will transmit the 2026 AU STC Session of Ministers’ endorsement to the Regional Economic Commissions and to the AU Summit of Heads of State and Government in February 2027. A regional conference of member states is planned for 2027.
2027 Roadmap
Twelve priority areas identified by the AUC as paramount to Africa.
- 01Social protection
- 02Economic empowerment
- 03Digital inclusion
- 04Rights and ratified AU Protocol
- 05Policy and intergenerational planning
- 06Healthy ageing
- 07Long-term care
- 08Care economy
- 09Skilled workforce development
- 10Financing
- 11Climate and humanitarian response
- 12SDGs and VNRs
Donor brief
Partner with us to scale the 2027 Series.
Your investment builds the policy infrastructure for a dignified, productive longevity in Africa.
Investment ask
- Secretariat support
- Website development and maintenance
- Tech facilitation
- Internships and outreach
Contact
Emem Omokaro, Ph.D
Executive Chair, The Dave Omokaro Foundation
+234 803 724 2629Social: emem_omokaro · @Emem Omokaro on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook
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