Japan’s NEC Corporation and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have announced a partnership to deploy high-end digital technologies tailored to the needs of vulnerable small-scale producers in Africa. Signed during the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), the initiative aims to enhance farm productivity, build resilience to climate and economic shocks,… [Read More]
Archives for 2025
World Bank Returns to Canadian Dollar Bond Market with CAD 1.5 Billion Benchmark Issue
The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD, Aaa/AAA) has priced a new three-year CAD $1.5 billion Sustainable Development Bond, maturing in September 2028. The benchmark transaction carries a semi-annual coupon of 2.90% per annum, an issue price of 99.946%, and a final spread of 9.8 basis points over the CAN 3.25% September… [Read More]
Strengthening Climate Resilience in Northern Ghana Through Early Warning and Anticipatory Action
Across Africa, climate change is reshaping the conditions for farming communities, increasing the frequency and severity of climate-related shocks. The FAO Regional Office for Africa Resilience Team supports countries by providing strategic and technical assistance to strengthen emergency response and resilience programming, helping communities better withstand and manage these climate-induced risks. In Ghana’s northern regions,… [Read More]
FAO Regional Office for Africa: Driving Agricultural Development Across the Continent
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is intensifying efforts to attract global investment into Southern Africa’s rapidly evolving agricultural sector. Highlighting a pipeline of over USD 1.8 billion in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and more than USD 448 million in African Small Island Developing States (SIDS), FAO is promoting high-impact investment… [Read More]
AfDB, AfCFTA, and Africa50 Join Forces to Unlock $3.4 Trillion African Market via Infrastructure
The African Development Bank Group, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and Africa50 have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate infrastructure development across Africa and unlock the potential of the continent’s largest free trade area. The agreement, signed during the Africa50 General Shareholders Meeting in Maputo, establishes a framework for cooperation to… [Read More]
TICAD9: Japan and African Development Bank Sign $5.5 Billion Agreement for Sixth Phase of Enhanced Private Sector Assistance
The government of Japan and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding launching the sixth phase of the Enhanced Private Sector Assistance (EPSA6) initiative. The agreement, signed during the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, provides a framework for resource mobilization and development partnerships to support African… [Read More]
UNITAR and UNDP Launch Free Online Course on SDG-Aligned Budgeting
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have relaunched their self-paced Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on SDG-aligned Budgeting. The course aims to support governments, parliaments, and other stakeholders in integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) more effectively into national budgeting frameworks. Structured into four modules,… [Read More]
Tsunami of Water Poverty Looms as Low-Income Older People Cut Back on Usage
A new YouGov poll commissioned by the charity Independent Age reveals that almost half of older adults living on a low income in England and Wales are cutting back on their water usage in an attempt to reduce household bills. The survey found that 46% of people aged 65 and over reported reducing their spending… [Read More]
New Report Reveals How Corporal Punishment Harms Children’s Health
A new World Health Organization (WHO) report warns that corporal punishment remains widespread globally and poses serious risks to children’s health and development. An estimated 1.2 billion children aged 0–18 years experience physical punishment at home each year. Data from 58 countries reveal that 17% of children subjected to corporal punishment in the past month… [Read More]
£9 Million in Grants Awarded to 31 Organisations to Help Vulnerable Households with Energy Bills
More than £9 million in grants is being distributed to 31 charities and community groups across England, Scotland, and Wales through round 11 of the Ofgem Energy Redress Scheme. The funding is aimed at supporting vulnerable households with energy bills while also advancing initiatives that promote carbon reduction and sustainable energy use. Among the recipients… [Read More]
China’s Poverty Alleviation: A Global Beacon of Hope and Debate
China’s Unprecedented Role in Global Poverty Reduction As the G20 Summit convenes to tackle global poverty, hunger, and inequality, China’s remarkable achievements in poverty alleviation are taking center stage. Over the past four decades, China has lifted nearly 800 million people out of extreme poverty, accounting for approximately 75 percent of the global reduction since… [Read More]
Uzbekistan Welcomes Uzbek Edition of ‘Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights’
Uzbekistan has officially launched the Uzbek-language edition of the book "Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights." The ceremony, held in Tashkent on August 19, 2025, was attended by nearly 300 participants, including Chinese and Uzbek officials and intellectuals. The event underscored the growing cultural and human rights cooperation between the two nations. Key… [Read More]
Viet Nam’s Green Rice Revolution: Boosting Farmer Incomes and Protecting the Environment
Drought and extreme heat are increasingly threatening the livelihoods of smallholder farmers worldwide, particularly those reliant on rain-fed agriculture. Climate-resilient irrigation has emerged as a transformative solution, enabling farmers to produce more crops with less water despite erratic rainfall. This sustainable approach not only enhances agricultural productivity but also strengthens local economies and could help… [Read More]
ASEL Agri’s Youth Trace Force Triumphs at AGX Inspire Challenge 2025, Boosting Kenyan Coffee Compliance with EU Regulations
ASEL Agri’s youth-led tech initiative, Youth Trace Force, has won the AGX Inspire Challenge 2025 for its innovative approach to helping Kenyan coffee farmers comply with European Union deforestation regulations (EUDR). The AGX Inspire Challenge, hosted at ILRI, Nairobi from 23–24 July 2025, provides seed funding and technical support from CGIAR to teams developing practical,… [Read More]
Northwest Nigeria Faces Severe Malnutrition Crisis: Key Facts and Interventions
An estimated two million children in Nigeria suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), yet only 20% are currently receiving treatment. Recent primary data collected in July 2025 by the Nigerian Red Cross (NRCS) indicates that in three local government areas—Zango and Kankara in Katsina state, and Wamako in Sokoto state—between 47% and 47.8% of assessed… [Read More]
IFRC’s Zero Hunger Campaign Aims to Boost Sustainable Food Security in Africa
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has officially launched its Africa Zero Hunger: United for Durable Solutions campaign, marking a major step in redefining efforts to combat hunger across the continent. The campaign was unveiled on 19 August 2025 during a virtual event moderated by award-winning journalist Victoria Rubadiri, bringing… [Read More]
NEC and ClimateAi Partner to Develop Smart Farming Model for Africa
NEC Corporation and San Francisco-based startup ClimateAi have developed an AI-driven model designed to support smart farming in Africa by measuring the effectiveness of climate adaptation strategies for crops like cocoa and rice. The model integrates ClimateAi’s long-range climate forecasting with NEC’s agricultural technology to assess how climate change may impact crop yields and evaluate… [Read More]
Africa Adopts Innovative Financing to Combat Climate-Driven Health Crises
Rising heat waves, floods, and droughts are placing Africa’s health systems under unprecedented strain, threatening the well-being of millions of vulnerable communities. In response, governments, innovators, and development partners are exploring new approaches to protect the continent through climate-resilient health systems. At a two-day regional workshop in Nairobi, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO)… [Read More]
Catalyst Fund: Driving Growth for Africa’s Climate Innovation Startups
Africa is facing pressing climate challenges, yet it also holds enormous potential to lead with climate-smart innovations that boost livelihoods and grow economies. Entrepreneurs across the continent are pioneering solutions ranging from solar-powered storage for smallholder farmers to cutting-edge carbon removal technologies, creating both social impact and investment opportunities. Central to this transformation is Catalyst… [Read More]
Secretary Noem Approves $11 Million Disaster Relief Funding for Flood Recovery in New Mexico
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has announced an additional $11.4 million in disaster relief funding to support recovery efforts in Ruidoso, New Mexico, following devastating floods in July that claimed three lives. The announcement was made during her visit to Ruidoso, one of the hardest-hit areas by the disaster. This new… [Read More]
Education Cannot Wait Expands Education Support in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia & Nigeria with $3.05M from Japan
Education Cannot Wait (ECW) has received US$3.05 million in new funding from the Government of Japan to scale up its education investments in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. With this support, ECW and its partners will expand innovative programmes to provide crisis-affected children with safe, quality education, advancing global commitments under the 2030 Agenda for… [Read More]
ILO Mission Boosts Public–Private Partnerships to End Child Labour in Agriculture in Northern Türkiye
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with local authorities and private sector actors, has advanced efforts to eliminate child labour in seasonal agriculture in northern Türkiye. A high-level mission began in Ordu, bringing together provincial leaders, municipalities, education officials, and representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MoLSS), alongside the Association of… [Read More]
Africa Scales Up Early Warning Systems at ClimDev-Africa Planning Workshop
Africa’s leading development institutions have renewed their commitment to building an African-led, continent-wide early warning system during the ClimDev-Africa Phase II Planning Workshop held in Nairobi. Co-organized by the African Union Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and the African Development Bank, the gathering brought together policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders to shape the… [Read More]
