As most people’s attention was riveted towards Russia following what is undoubtedly the most popular game on the planet, as they wiped their tears as their favourite football teams were bundled out unceremoniously, another big show was taking place in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

In Mauritania tears flowedalso, but they were tears of joy. The once dysfunctional African Union was finally managing to get its footing right curtesy of a number of reforms that President Paul Kagame was requested by his peers to lead.

At the 31st AU Summit, It was announced that the most credible and transparent budget in the history of the organization had been approved. Contributions to the Peace Fund had also never been so high and the self-financing scheme as well as a continental free trade area were being adopted by more countries.

South Africa, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Burundi, and Namibia that had at the beginning been hesitant to sign the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, finally succumbed to pressure or reason and did so  at the summit.

Among the major countries still holding out is Nigeria but it could find itself sitting alone as nearly all countries have come on board. Sooner or later it will also understand the benefits of having a larger common market.

The AU Summit had a surprise visitor in the form of Japanese entrepreneur, Masayoshi Son, who announced his willingness to invest as much as $100 Billion in developing solar energy, one of the continent’s most abundant resources that are underutilized.

So, as the number of heart-broken football fans increases, we in Africa should be content with the knowledge that something good came out of Nouakchott.