On this day, leaders of 30 of the 32 independent African states signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In 1991, the OAU established the African Economic Community, and in 2002 the OAU established its own successor, the African Union. However, the name and date of Africa Day has been retained as a celebration of African unity.
2012's theme of Africa Day was 'Africa and the Diaspora'. The New York celebration was held in New York City on May 31, 2011. In Nairobi, it was celebrated at Uhuru Park Recreational Park.
Africa Day is observed as a public holiday in six African countries, that is, Ghana , Mali, Namibia, Zambia, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. However, celebrations are held in some African countries, as well as by Africans in the diaspora.
