First African Regional Disability Pre-Summit Sets The Stage For Global Advocacy

By Cynthia Masibo

In a landmark event for disability rights, the first African Regional Pre-Summit, organized by the African Disability Forum (ADF) and the International Disability Alliance (IDA), was held yesterday in Nairobi. Co-hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Pre-Summit coincided with the 2024 African Disability Conference and brought together representatives from 40 African countries. The event marks a crucial step toward Africa’s participation in the Global Disability Summit (GDS) set for April 2025 in Berlin.

The opening session featured a distinguished panel of leaders, including Idriss Maiga, chairperson of ADF; Mudford Zachariah Mwandenga, Commissioner of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights; Mercy Wanjau, Secretary to the Cabinet of Kenya; Jose Viera, Interim Executive Director of IDA; Kennedy Kalunga, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office (Special Duties), Zambia; and representatives from the British and German embassies.

In her keynote address, Wanjau emphasized the need for a new approach to inclusivity in Africa. “As Africa navigates the evolving landscape, we are tasked with rethinking our approach to inclusivity and development, ensuring that the needs and rights of persons with disabilities are at the forefront of both our policy and humanitarian efforts. By prioritizing accessibility and equity, we can forge a more inclusive Africa where every person, regardless of ability, can thrive and contribute meaningfully to our shared future,” she stated.

The African Pre-Summit is a platform designed to highlight Africa’s unique challenges and solutions regarding disability rights, ensuring the continent plays a central role in shaping global commitments at the GDS 2025. Leaders discussed how regional insights will influence global disability policies, with a particular focus on accessibility, equity, and collaboration.

Maiga, underscored the importance of African leadership in disability rights. “This Pre-Summit is an opportunity for us to elevate African perspectives on disability rights, ensuring that our voices lead the way in defining the global agenda. Together, we can ensure that persons with disabilities across Africa have a say in shaping the commitments that will affect their futures. The strength of the Global Disability Summit lies in regional contributions, and today we have demonstrated Africa’s readiness to lead.”

Regional summits like this play a vital role in bridging gaps between local, regional, and global disability rights frameworks. The event encouraged collaboration between organizations such as the African Union, Arab League, and European Union while promoting active participation from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).

Nawaf Kabbara, President of IDA, emphasized the significance of regional voices in shaping the global disability agenda. “Bringing together leaders from organizations of persons with disabilities across Africa is the only way to truly understand the diverse perspectives and priorities of persons with disabilities from the region, ensuring that local and regional voices are central to shaping commitments.”

The success of this first African Pre-Summit has set high expectations for the GDS 2025 in Berlin. Dom Haslam, Deputy CEO of Sightsavers International, concluded, “To have the voices of persons with disabilities, in the shape of their representative organizations, from across Africa, coming together to demand progress in the achievement of their rights, but also to share their knowledge on how that can be done, is exactly what the Global Disability Summit should be about.”

As the world gears up for the GDS 2025, African disability advocates hope this Pre-Summit will serve as a catalyst for meaningful change across the continent and beyond.

Similar Posts by Mt Kenya Times:

• Mt Kenya Times ePAPER June 17, 2025
• The Visionary Journey Of Ihuaku Patricia Nweke
• Safeguarding Heritage: Tharaka Nithi’s Bold Steps To Preserve Culture And Empower Communities
• PS Appeals To Kiambu Residents, The Disabled To Go For New Jobs
• When Big Brother Becomes Everyone’s Business: The Illusion Of Oversight In The Age Of Perpetual Surveillance.