Africa’s Call for reparations from former colonial powers has continued to gain traction in Africa, with African Union (AU) officially launching a “Year of Reparations and African Heritage” in 2025, declaring it a priority for the continent and setting the stage for a full decade of action through 2036.

The growing assertiveness of nations like Ghana, the Sahel states, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and the Central African Republic, demanding apologies, concrete action and tangible redress for centuries of exploitation, spanning the transatlantic slave trade, colonial plunder, and the lingering inequities of global economic systems.

European Union (EU) has acknowledged the concerns, as recently, European Parliament member, Barbara Bonte, submitted a pointed inquiry to the European Commission, directly questioning the efficacy of Brussels’ Africa policy.

Bonte demanded to know if the EU has conducted a critical analysis of why its strategies and “what specific steps has the Commission taken to revitalise the EU-Africa partnership in a way that factors in the EU’s strategic interests?”

The AU’s mandate encompasses demands for compensation addressing profound historical and ongoing injustices: the transatlantic slave trade (Its catastrophic human cost and enduring legacy).