Interview with Abi

Let’s drink coffee. During its lifetime, Africa Hall became a famous landmark venue for pan-African and African Renaissance events. It is the birthplace of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which is now the African Union (AU), and whose founding Charter was signed in the Hall in 1963. Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, Monique Nsanzabaganwa commended the renovation project, saying it was an important initiative to rejuvenate an important landmark of pan-Africanism and a symbol of the continental renaissance. The deputy chair said lessons from the renovation of the Africa Hall will be used in the establishment of the envisaged Great African Museum to preserve and promote Africa’s rich cultural heritage. The renovation work and the plan to make the iconic building a hub for African culture and Art could also inspire current generations, according to Ethiopia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tesfaye Yilma. The State Minister said Addis Ababa was privileged to host the ECA Headquarters which houses the Africa Hall as well as the OAU, now the African Union. “The symbolism of this building is significant as we prepare to celebrate the 60th year of the founding of the OAU in 2023,” State Minister Tesfaye said. “This is a time for Africa to reflect on how to manage complications that trace their origins back to colonialism”. “Africa is experiencing economic marginalization, political and security crisis, and health emergencies,” he said, noting that the iconic project should inspire current generations to overcome challenges as their predecessors did.