Globally, the demand for mental health services is growing, yet access to care remains limited—especially in low-income countries. The World Health Organization reports that nearly one billion people live with a mental health condition, but over 75% of those in low-income regions receive no treatment. A major contributor to this gap is the shortage of… [Read More]
Archives for 2025
UNIDO Showcases Industrial Solutions to Bridge SDG Funding Gap at FfD4 Conference
At the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), held in Sevilla, Spain, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) emphasized its commitment to supporting Member States in mobilizing both public and private investments to accelerate sustainable industrialization and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conference underscored the necessity of shifting traditional development… [Read More]
AfDB Awards $1 Million Grant to Boost Green Skills for South African Youth
The African Development Bank, through its Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA), has allocated a $1 million grant to South Africa’s National Business Initiative (NBI). The funding aims to develop a responsive skills ecosystem that empowers South Africans—particularly youth—to access employment opportunities in the green economy. South Africa continues to grapple with high youth… [Read More]
Tánaiste Announces New Funding Package to Support Children in Palestine
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris, has announced a €4 million funding package aimed at supporting children in Palestine, particularly in the area of education. The package includes €3 million dedicated to improving access to education, €700,000 for human rights organisations, and €300,000 to support public services and vulnerable families. The… [Read More]
Empowering Women on the Slopes of Kibuka: Building a Better Future Together
Kibuka, a remote village nestled along the steep slopes of a misty Tanzanian mountainside, is home to a growing transformation led by women farmers. Despite the village’s isolation and the challenging access roads, Kibuka is witnessing a quiet revolution in agricultural and economic empowerment, driven by the efforts of local women and their cooperative. At… [Read More]
Ukraine Introduces Diia Schoolchild’s Package for First Grade Students’ Families
The Ukrainian government has launched a new financial aid initiative known as the Schoolchild’s Package, offering UAH 5,000 to parents and legal guardians of children entering the first grade. This initiative aims to help families prepare their children for school by covering the cost of essential items such as stationery, clothing, and footwear. Applications for… [Read More]
AfDB Supports Djibouti’s Intercontinental Investment Bank with $11M for SME and Women-Led Business Financing
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a three-year, $10.75 million trade finance facility for Intercontinental Investment Bank Djibouti (IIB Djibouti). This facility consists of three components: an $8 million Trade Finance Line of Credit, a $2 million Trade Finance Transaction Guarantee, and a $750,000 grant from the Affirmative… [Read More]
AfDB Launches 2025 Country Focus Reports with Emphasis on Côte d’Ivoire’s Growth Strategy
The African Development Bank launched the 2025 edition of its Country Focus Reports (CFRs) in Abidjan, starting with Côte d’Ivoire—a country projected to be one of the fastest-growing economies globally this year. The launch underscores the Bank’s commitment to supporting national-level development through data-driven insights and policy guidance. The CFRs serve as country-specific extensions of… [Read More]
Zambia’s Ilute Solar Project Secures $26.5M from AfDB’s SEFA and Global Partners
The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the African Development Bank, has committed $8 million as part of a $26.5 million financing package for the 32 MWp Ilute Solar Project in Western Zambia. This investment supports a new Independent Power Producer (IPP) model that aims to expand clean energy access while encouraging regional… [Read More]
AfDB Grants €19.6 Million to Boost Wind and Battery Storage in Cabo Verde
The African Development Bank Group has approved a €19.6 million financing package to support the Cabeólica Phase II Expansion Project in Cabo Verde. This initiative represents the country’s first large-scale renewable energy project that combines wind power generation with battery energy storage systems (BESS), marking a significant step toward energy transformation and sustainability. The financing… [Read More]
World Bank Approves $1 Billion to Boost Ethiopia’s Economic Reforms and Private Sector Growth
The World Bank has approved a $1 billion Development Policy Operation (DPO) to support Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reforms and promote inclusive, private sector–driven growth. This funding package—comprising a $650 million grant and a $350 million concessional credit from the International Development Association (IDA)—builds on a previous operation approved in July 2024 under Ethiopia’s homegrown Economic… [Read More]
Egypt to Receive $184.1M from AfDB for Africa’s Largest Solar and Battery Storage Project
The African Development Bank Group has approved a financing package of up to $184.1 million to support Egypt’s Obelisk project—Africa’s largest solar power initiative. The project will involve the development of a 1-gigawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) plant and a 200-megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system in the Qena Governorate, southern Egypt. The Egyptian Electricity Transmission… [Read More]
IFAD, EU Invest €4.26M to Enhance Rural Climate Resilience Through Remittances and Diaspora Support
A new €4.26 million initiative, ResilientRemit, has been launched to help thousands of rural families in Honduras, Senegal, and Pakistan adapt to climate change and strengthen their resilience to environmental shocks. Co-funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the initiative focuses on leveraging migrant remittances and… [Read More]
Nepal Unveils $120 Million IFAD-Backed Programme to Boost Small-Scale Farming
On 30 June 2025, the Government of Nepal officially launched the Resilient High-Value Agricultural Programme (R-HVAP), a US$120 million initiative supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Nepal. The programme aims to assist over 250,000 people from small-scale farming households in transitioning toward commercial and agroecological farming practices. The programme was launched… [Read More]
ALIPH commits $16 Million to Protect Cultural Heritage in Africa, Syria, Ukraine, and Gaza
The International alliance for the protection of heritage (ALIPH) has announced a new funding commitment of over USD 16 million to safeguard cultural heritage in Africa, Syria, Ukraine, and Gaza. This brings ALIPH’s total investment in cultural heritage protection to more than USD 116 million since its founding in 2018. Africa – Protecting Heritage from… [Read More]
$358M Climate-Resilient Dairy Initiative Launched in East Africa by IFAD and GCF
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) have launched a landmark $358 million programme to combat climate change in East Africa’s dairy sector. The Dairy Interventions for Mitigation and Adaptation (DaIMA) programme will directly benefit 2.5 million rural people across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. As part of the… [Read More]
UN-Habitat Unveils New Local Finance Initiatives at FfD4 Forum
UN-Habitat Initiatives at #FfD4 At the recent Financing for Development Forum (FfD4), UN-Habitat introduced two pivotal initiatives aimed at enhancing financial mechanisms for sustainable development at the local level. These efforts are designed to ensure that financial resources align more closely with the actual needs and priorities of communities. Strengthening Subnational Finance One of the… [Read More]
From Funding to Futures: $100M SDG Outcomes Initiative Aims for Real-World Results
Introduction to the $100m SDG Outcomes Fund We are excited to announce our commitment to the $100 million Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Outcomes Fund through the #GlobalGateway initiative. This collaborative effort, in partnership with the UBS Optimus Foundation, British International Investment, and several other key stakeholders, aims to make a significant impact on health, education,… [Read More]
€450M Guarantee Deal with CaixaBank to Unlock €900M for Spanish SMEs
Introduction to the Agreement In a significant move to bolster the financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps in Spain, we are thrilled to announce the signing of a €450 million risk-sharing guarantee agreement with CaixaBank. This strategic partnership aims to unlock a remarkable €900 million in new financing opportunities, which are… [Read More]
Africa Sustainable Futures Awards Spotlight Change-Makers Across the Continent
Introduction to the Africa Sustainable Futures Awards The Africa Sustainable Futures Awards are a pivotal initiative designed to recognize and reward organizations and individuals dedicated to fostering sustainable practices across the continent. This year's awards aim to spotlight significant contributions in various critical areas that affect everyday life and economic stability in Africa. Award Categories… [Read More]
Next EU LGBTIQ Strategy Must Be Bolder, Say Advocacy Groups
The Importance of the EU's Next LGBTIQ Equality Strategy As the European Union prepares to draft its next LGBTIQ Equality Strategy for the period of 2026 to 2030, there is an urgent call from advocacy groups for a more ambitious and inclusive approach. Organizations are emphasizing the need for rights-based, community-led initiatives that are deeply… [Read More]
WFP Aids 50,000 Sudanese Refugees in Libya Amid Escalating Crisis
WFP's Critical Support for Refugees in Libya The ongoing crisis in Sudan has forced thousands to flee their homeland in search of safety. As these individuals seek refuge in neighboring countries, the World Food Programme (WFP) is stepping up to provide essential assistance. Currently, WFP is aiding approximately 50,000 refugees in Libya, helping them during… [Read More]
Shaping the Future of Health: Join the INSPIRE Health Forum 2024
Welcome to the INSPIRE Health Forum Join us for the INSPIRE Health Forum, a pivotal event aimed at addressing key issues that affect the future of health in Asia and the Pacific. Taking place from July 7 to 11 at the ADB Headquarters in Manila, this forum will focus on crucial topics such as pandemic… [Read More]
