The Africa Government Summit (AGS), which is one of the flagship initiatives of the African Leadership Governance Foundation and African Leadership Review Publication, is an annual multi-stakeholder forum that brings together African leaders from all spheres of society to reflect on how to accelerate Africa's government transformation through the implementation of policy in key thematic areas.

The idea for an Afro-centric, Africa-focused government summit platform originated from various concerns: the fact that African economic development and participation is often not inclusive and hence may not prioritize Africa's continental agenda for development and growth; the employment challenge arising from the skills gap across the continent; and the need to develop an integrated African government for the continent to realize its potential for stronger competitiveness in the global economy.

The goal of the AGS is therefore to facilitate dialogue between Africa's political leaders, the private sector, civil society, and academia to discuss issues affecting Africa and how the continent can harness its vast resources to enhance the development of the African people. The following sectors are critical to the economic transformation agenda: the private sector, for its key role in investment, industrialization, and intra-African trade; higher education for its role in skills development, to ensure the implementation of fiscal and macroeconomic policies and stable environments for economic transformation.

The dialogues at the AGS would focus on common themes for Africa and are led by Africans with the aim of influencing continental policy by engaging directly with African leaders on matters of mutual interest. It is also an opportunity to discuss how Africa can establish multi-country, multi-sector priorities and outline plans for common action with the clear mechanism for follow up.

By presenting an opportunity to interact with the highest level of African leaders, the AGS creates a suitable environment for frank discussions that can identify means to removing obstacles that inhibit the conduct of business in Africa, increasing the investment attractiveness of the continent, the implementation of strategies for economic diversification and industrialization and domestic and other resource mobilization.

The AGS also aims to provide opportunities to advocate for the removal of barriers that hamper communication and the flow of goods, people and services across the continent and to discuss African Union-led continental programmes that focus on these areas, including the Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), the African Passport and free movement of people and the establishment of a single African Air Transport market.

By bringing together various stakeholders to discuss the future of Africa, the AGS supports the drive for Africa's integration, the implementation of policies for inclusive growth, and the establishment of a One Africa mindset through the collective articulation of common African positions on global affairs to increase global awareness of Africa's emerging role in world affairs.

The participation of the African Diaspora is also supported by advocates for African integration and development in the global landscape.

The discussions that would focus on four key areas will be:

• Regional value chains (promoting industrialization through value addition, processing of Africa's commodities, and promoting the establishment of regional manufacturing and process).
• Expanding opportunities for intra-African trade through the establishment of the ACFTA
• Competitiveness of the African Private Sector
• Youth empowerment and skills development