The Central Depository/Settlement Bank (DC/BR) has officially launched DIGIAPE, a new digital platform for public offerings, with support from the African Development Bank. The platform is designed to automate primary market subscriptions within the West African Monetary Union’s (UMOA) regional financial market. By enabling real-time allocation of securities at the close of trading, DIGIAPE aims… [Read More]
African Development Bank’s SEFA Fund Backs Electric Cooking Projects in Three African Nations
The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), is addressing the reliance on charcoal for cooking in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia through a $4 million reimbursable grant. This funding supports the Burn Electric Cooking Expansion Program (BEEP), which will distribute 115,000 electric induction cookers to low-income households connected to… [Read More]
African Development Bank Approves $50 Million Trade Finance Facility for CRDB Bank in Tanzania
The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a $50 million Trade Finance Transaction Guarantee facility for CRDB Bank Plc in Tanzania. This strategic initiative aims to strengthen trade finance operations within the country, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local corporates. The approved facility allows the African Development Bank to… [Read More]
U.S. Withdrawal from UNESCO: Official Statement by Director-General Audrey Azoulay
The United States has announced its decision to withdraw from UNESCO, a move set to take effect at the end of December 2026. This marks the second such withdrawal in recent years, following a similar decision in 2017 under President Donald Trump. The decision is seen as a setback to the principles of multilateralism and… [Read More]
Kenya’s Path to Sustainability: Forest and Landscape Restoration Efforts
Kenya is at a crucial stage in its environmental journey, with increasing urgency to restore degraded landscapes and enhance climate resilience. UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) is actively supporting these efforts by facilitating collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, and conservation organizations. These partnerships aim to deliver sustainable, large-scale forest and landscape restoration… [Read More]
Investing in Rural Economies to Ease the Burden of High Food Prices on the Poor
High food prices continue to impact people across the globe, especially in low-income countries. At a special event for the upcoming State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 (SOFI 2025) report, Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), emphasized the urgent need for strategic investments in agriculture and… [Read More]
Women’s Fund Circles Empower Gender Equity Leaders Worldwide
The Women’s Fund of Omaha was founded in 1990 with a mission to empower women and promote gender equity across the Omaha community. A key part of its strategy became Women in Leadership—work that evolved through research, advocacy, and eventually programs focused on community building and action. In 2017, the organization launched Circles Projects, which… [Read More]
Canada Invests $300M in NWT: Our Land for the Future Indigenous-Led Conservation Project
NWT: Our Land for the Future is a landmark Indigenous-led conservation initiative in the Northwest Territories, bringing together 21 Indigenous governments and organizations, along with the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and private donors. The initiative aims to protect land and water while promoting cultural revitalization and sustainable economic development across… [Read More]
Canada Commits $300 Million to Major Indigenous-Led Land Conservation Project
The Government of Canada has signed a landmark grant agreement to support one of the world’s largest Indigenous-led land conservation initiatives, titled NWT: Our Land for the Future. The agreement, signed by Minister of Environment and Climate Change Julie Dabrusin and Danny Yakeleya, Chair of the Our Land for the Future Trust, commits $375 million—$300… [Read More]
UNGA Adopts Key Themes for 2026 UN Water Conference Agenda
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has officially adopted six key themes for the upcoming UN 2026 Water Conference. This decision was made during the 84th plenary of the 79th UNGA session held on 9 July 2025, following broad consultations with Member States and stakeholders. The session was opened by UNGA President Philemon Yang, who… [Read More]
Open Society Rolls Out Major Initiatives to Drive Change Across Africa
The Open Society Foundations have launched three new multiyear initiatives in Africa aimed at strengthening civic engagement, boosting economic sovereignty, and advancing peacebuilding. These programs—Democratic Futures in Africa, Resources Futures in Africa, and Transformative Peace in Africa—continue the foundation’s long-standing support for human rights, equity, and justice on the continent. Each initiative is designed to… [Read More]
$170K+ in Capacity Building Grants Awarded to Boost Nonprofit Impact
As the nonprofit sector in the Quad Cities continues to grow, the need for strategic and timely support becomes increasingly important. To address this, the Quad Cities Community Foundation launched the Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants program, which is designed to strengthen the systems, skills, and structures of local organizations. In its latest funding round, the… [Read More]
UK Pledges Emergency Relief Support for Gaza Crisis
The UK government has announced a new £60 million humanitarian aid package to assist tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza. This funding will bolster healthcare, food, water, and sanitation services and support maternal and child health programs. The aid aims to reach over two million people affected by the ongoing conflict. As part of… [Read More]
WHO Faces $1 Billion Budget Shortfall: Can Private Funding Fill the Gap?
The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently facing a significant budget shortfall of approximately $1.7 billion for its 2026 fiscal year. In response to this financial strain, which stems in part from the United States’ withdrawal during President Donald Trump’s administration, the organization has initiated a series of cost-cutting measures. These include reducing senior-level staff… [Read More]
Japan Donates $2 Million to WFP to Fight Growing Hunger Crisis in Yemen
The Government of Japan has contributed US$2 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support life-saving food assistance in Yemen. This funding will enable WFP to provide essential vegetable oil as part of food rations to 700,000 people, helping to stabilize food security amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. Yemen currently faces the… [Read More]
Gaza: WFP Teams Up with Careem to Strengthen Food Aid Delivery
On July 21, 2025, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) launched a partnership with Careem, a leading multi-service platform in the Middle East, to support emergency food assistance efforts in Gaza and the West Bank. The collaboration, activated through WFP’s ShareTheMeal app, allows users in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates to make in-app… [Read More]
Esha Maiwalle Foundation Promotes Menstrual Dignity for Girls in Northern Nigeria
In Misau, Bauchi State, the Esha Maiwalle Foundation has launched a transformative menstrual hygiene initiative, bringing essential sanitary pads to hundreds of schoolgirls and women in underserved communities. This effort addresses a critical gap in menstrual health access, restoring dignity and enabling girls to attend school during their periods—something many have long been deprived of… [Read More]
Swiss Network in India and HCLSoftware Join Forces to Develop Next-Gen GovTech Solutions
HCLSoftware has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Swiss Network in India—comprising the Embassy of Switzerland, the Swiss Business Hub India, and Swissnex in India—to join the Indo-Swiss Innovation Platform. This collaboration aligns with the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) framework and is aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in digital infrastructure… [Read More]
$10M Provincial Investment to Support Ontario Corps in Protecting Communities
The Ontario government is investing $10 million in emergency preparedness grants to enhance the capabilities of Ontario Corps partners across the province. This funding is aimed at ensuring communities have rapid access to critical emergency resources such as flood barriers, debris removal tools, drones, and machinery, allowing for swift deployment during local crises. Thirteen partner… [Read More]
Investing in Water and Sanitation: Human Rights-Based Approaches Webinar
The African Development Bank, in partnership with Human Right 2 Water and the Water Research Commission, will host a webinar to highlight insights and best practices from their joint publication, Water Policies to Support Investment in Humans and Nature: A Compilation of Good Practices in Africa. The event will focus on how human rights-based approaches… [Read More]
AfDB Approves €100 Million for Women and Youth Agripreneurs in Morocco
The African Development Bank Group has approved a €100 million loan to support Morocco’s inclusive solidarity-based agriculture program, with a strong focus on empowering women and youth. This initiative aims to create sustainable economic opportunities, enhance food security, and improve the resilience of small-scale farming in the face of climate change. The program will promote… [Read More]
African Development Bank and Liberia Partner to Establish First Youth Investment Bank
On July 22, 2025, the African Development Bank Group, in collaboration with the Government of Liberia, will launch the first Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB) in Liberia. This marks the beginning of a broader initiative to establish YEIBs across Africa, with Liberia being the first country to host this youth-focused financial institution. The launch will… [Read More]
Nonprofits Across the State Get $6.1M to Support Food, Housing, and Health Services
The Rhode Island Foundation has awarded $6.1 million in grants to nearly 150 nonprofit organizations across the state. This funding marks the first major round of support aligned with the Foundation’s new Five-Year Action Plan, aimed at addressing critical community needs such as health care, housing, hunger, and other essential services. Among the grant recipients… [Read More]
