This paper focuses on two key questions namely the place of the democratisation process in the 50 year celebration of the AU, and secondly what progress has Africa made in institutionalizing democratic governance. To answer these questions the paper reflects on the APRM and the ACDEG within the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance. The paper is not only looking at contemporary trends of democracy and governance but also at historical events. Three main ideas forms the basis of this research: Africa’s independence from 1950 to 1990, regionalism and continental integration, nation and state building, and thirdly democratic governance.