NEPAD Council is a non-political and independent Non-Profit Organization (NGO) founded by young African professionals and scholars with a pledge to support the New Partnership for Africa’s Development to achieve its mission. As a supporting partner, NEPAD Council’s mission is to mobilize and energize global action, marshal resources and expertise so as to provide impetus to NEPAD’s objectives. The council matches NEPAD’s commitment with its own agenda to promote creativity in Africa, boost expertise and capacity, encourage democracy and good governance and provide more effective development expertise.

The Council has been working closely with the African Union missions to mobilize the Diaspora to participate in the development of Africa.

NEPAD Council is made up of members representing all African countries. Members of NEPAD Council are selected from exceptionally skilled individuals who can dedicate some of their free time to work torwards the development of Africa.

NEPAD Council is recognized and endorsed by the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC). In the 2004 HSGIC meeting communique, it was noted "The HSGIC noted, with appreciation, a report that young African scholars based in the US, with outstanding academic records in their fields, had established a group, whose objective is to mobilize their intellectual capital for the implementation of NEPAD. The meeting decided that efforts be made to make contact with members of the Group to meet with the Heads of State and Government in the USA during the G8 Summit." Following the Maputo meeting, NEPAD council met with president Mbeki who further endorsed the activities of the Council.

1. Support the new partnership for Africa’s Development
   
   
2. Support African leaders’ efforts to encourage public engagement in NEPAD strategies and projects
   
   
3. Assist the Steering Committee and NEPAD Secretariat in the implementation of NEPAD projects
   
   
4. Collaborate with NEPAD to undertake mutually reinforcing actions to help accelerate growth and make long-lasting gains against poverty
   
   
5. Encourage Africans in the Diaspora to actively participate in all efforts aimed at developing Africa
   
   

NEPAD provides an historic opportunity to overcome obstacles to development in Africa. Our contribution to the initiative is the creation of NEPAD Council, designed to encourage the imaginative effort that underlies the NEPAD and to lay a solid foundation for future cooperation and sustainable development.

The case for action is compelling. Despite its great potential and human resources, Africa continues to face some of the world’s greatest challenges. The many initiatives designed to spur Africa’s development have failed to deliver sustained improvements to the lives of women, men and children throughout Africa.

NEPAD Council offers something different. It is, first and foremost, a common vision shared by African professionals to support and promote the New Partnership for Africa’s Development.

Together, we have an unprecedented opportunity to make progress on our common goals of eradicating extreme poverty and achieving sustainable development. NEPAD Council will support African leaders’ efforts to encourage public engagement in the NEPAD and will consult with NEPAD members on how we can best assist their efforts. NEPAD Council will be committed to mobilize and energize global action, marshal resources and expertise, and provide impetus in support of NEPAD’s objectives. As NEPAD’s partner, NEPAD Council will undertake mutually reinforcing actions to help Africa accelerate growth and make lasting gains against poverty.

The Agenda of NEPAD Council will focus on a limited number of priority areas where, collectively and individually, we can add value. NEPAD Council will focus particular attention on enhanced-partnership countries. It will also work with countries that do not yet meet the standards of NEPAD but which are clearly committed to and working towards its implementation.