Kenyan President William Ruto, in Addis Ababa on Thursday, emphasised the need for an organized Africa that can effectively address the continent’s challenges.

Speaking during an informal meeting of African diplomats accredited to the African Union, Ruto, who is the AU’s institutional reforms champion, highlighted the importance of building synergy across the continent.

“The reforms are aimed at making the institutions of the African Union more accountable, efficient, and effective in serving Member States and, indeed, the people of the continent,” Ruto said, noting the vision behind the ambitious reform agenda he took on after Rwanda’s Paul Kagame stepped down from the role in February.

However, advancing the continental reform agenda has faced significant hurdles, with many initiatives stalling despite some progress.

Kagame, mandated by fellow African leaders in 2016 to oversee a comprehensive governance overhaul, aimed to strengthen the AU’s financial independence and enhance the powers of its commission president.

While Kagame’s team pointed to some achievements—such as reducing the number of commissioners and revitalizing the AU’s peace fund—much of his ambitious plan remains unfulfilled.

Challenges included reluctance from some African leaders, bureaucratic red tape, and internal blockages within the AU’s Committee of Permanent Representatives.

The committee of experts set up to assist Kagame, which includes figures such as Donald Kaberuka, Carlos Lopes, Amina Mohammed, and Vera Songwe, also faced criticism for being out of touch with the realities on the ground.

Kagame’s entourage reported that he spent over $5 million on the reform process, but the road ahead for implementing these reforms remains uncertain.