The Africa Forum constitutes an informal network of former African Heads of State and Government and other African leaders designed to support the implementation of the broad objectives of the African Union (AU) and its initiative, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), at national, sub-regional and regional levels. With the specific functions of advocacy and think tanking, the Africa Forum helps harness the experience, moral authority and good offices of the former African Heads of State and Government and other African leaders with the view to assisting the advancement Africa's social and economic development.

In the process of working towards further democratic change and transformation of the social and economic conditions in Africa, it is important to recognize that one of the critical assets that the continent has is its people and their leaders.

Most of these leaders who are vacating office have accumulated vital experience which should be used to support national, sub-regional and regional efforts towards transformation of the continent. There is ample evidence to suggest that most of the former African Heads of State and Government and other African leaders who have left office with democratic credentials wish to continue, in their own private capacities, to serve Africa, support and complementnational, sub-regional  and regional efforts to end the scourge of conflicts, promote peace, security and stability as well as sustainable development of the continent.