At the end of the 1990s, the African Heads of State and Government had become aware of the continent delay and of the deadlock of the multiple plans of development passed, and decided to take their own destiny in their hands again. They took the initiative of the thought on development, in order to take up the challenges of globalization and the 21st century. Within the framework of the reform of the Organisation of African Unity, they promote an African vision of the development through NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development). The latter is presented as the ambitious economic program of the new African Union, with which a link is required. It founds finally another idea of relations with the North, towards a renewed partnership to carry out the development this continent needs so much. – Summary AFRI-2004