Chido Cleopatra Mpemba has been appointed as Advisor to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
In her new role, Mpemba will serve within the Cabinet of the Chairperson, with a portfolio dedicated to advancing priorities in Women, Gender, and Youth.
H.E. Youssouf, who was elected by African Heads of State, began his four-year term in March 2025.
Under his leadership, the Commission is focused on accelerating progress toward Agenda 2063, the AU’s strategic framework for inclusive and sustainable development across the continent.
Mpemba’s appointment signals a continued emphasis on participatory governance and youth leadership at the highest levels of African policymaking. She previously served as the AU Special Envoy on Youth, where she championed youth empowerment and intergenerational collaboration across Member States.
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“I am deeply honoured to serve the African Union once again,” Mpemba said in a statement. “This new chapter is a renewed commitment to our shared future, grounded in people and driven by purpose.”
In her new capacity, she will work closely with AU Organs and Agencies, Member States, civil society actors, and strategic partners, with the aim of shaping policy, fostering inclusion, and ensuring that the goals of Agenda 2063 continue to gain momentum.
Mpemba also expressed gratitude to those who supported her previous tenure, noting that while that chapter has officially closed, “the legacy, memories, and movement live on.”
Image Credit: One Young World
