The World Bank Group’s Country Partnership Framework for the Philippines covering 2025 to 2031 arrives at a pivotal moment in the country’s economic and social trajectory. With the Philippine economy nearing upper‑middle‑income status and development indicators showing considerable progress, the new framework is designed to build on this momentum while addressing persistent gaps in access… [Read More]
World Bank Pledges $50 Million to Empower African Think Tanks
African think tanks play a vital role in providing localized analysis and policy recommendations that have practical impacts on the ground. To support and enhance their influence, the World Bank has committed $50 million to strengthen these institutions, aiming to promote evidence-based policymaking across the continent. The funding is channeled through a new initiative under… [Read More]
Period Poverty: Why Millions of Girls and Women Can’t Afford Menstrual Products
Millions of women and girls around the world still lack access to basic menstrual products and safe water and sanitation facilities, severely affecting their ability to manage their menstrual health. This situation results in missed days at school or work and poses serious risks to their health, education, and overall well-being. Despite menstruation being a… [Read More]
Building Climate-Resilient Net Zero Agrifood Supply Chains: A Global Business Guide
This guide offers a practical framework to support agrifood companies in enhancing the resilience of their supply chains to climate-related risks while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The approach is closely aligned with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) of the countries where these businesses operate, helping ensure that corporate climate… [Read More]
Kenyan and Ugandan Civil Society Push for Inclusive HIV Services as US Funding Declines
Seven months after the Trump-Vance administration froze U.S. global aid, African countries severely affected by the cuts to health programs have begun implementing alternative strategies to address the funding crisis. While governments act urgently to fill the gaps, queer rights groups in Kenya and Uganda have raised concerns about being excluded from these interventions, stressing… [Read More]
Tackling Health-Care Stigma and Legal Barriers in Western and Central Africa
In 2023, a survey conducted across seven countries in western and central Africa revealed that over 12% of young people aged 18–24 living with HIV avoided health centers due to stigma associated with their status. Experiences such as refusal of care, humiliating remarks, and involuntary disclosure of HIV status contributed to this avoidance, highlighting widespread… [Read More]
SHF’s Impact: Advancing Sanitation Economies and the Menstrual Health Market
In mid-2025, the UN Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF) commissioned an independent Mid-Term Review (MTR) to assess its progress, relevance, and impact, with the goal of guiding its next phase of strategic development. This review was more than an evaluation—it was a learning opportunity, intended to refine SHF’s role in the evolving development space and… [Read More]
FAO Africa CoP Highlights South Sudan’s Resilient Seed System Strategies in Fragile Settings
The FAO Regional Office for Africa Resilience Team conducted its third virtual Community of Practice (CoP) meeting on 8 July 2025, gathering FAO staff and technical experts from across the continent. The focus was on sharing practical lessons from South Sudan’s experience in strengthening seed systems within fragile and conflict-affected environments. South Sudan has significantly… [Read More]
New FAO Projects Target Soil Health and Water Management in the Global South
Two major initiatives have been launched in Zimbabwe to support sustainable management of soil and water resources. The projects, titled “Capacity Development on Sustainable Soil Management in the Global South” and “National Water Roadmap towards 2030 Sustainable Development Goals,” are designed to accelerate progress toward the SDGs by enhancing technical capacities, promoting inclusive governance, and… [Read More]
Orange Money Teams Up with Fintech JUMO to Boost Access to Credit in Africa
Orange Money Group and fintech provider JUMO have partnered to expand financial inclusion in Africa by introducing microcredit services targeting unbanked populations. The collaboration aims to strengthen Orange Money Group’s digital financial offerings by leveraging JUMO’s expertise in data analytics and artificial intelligence to enable secure, mobile-based credit solutions. With a combined reach of over… [Read More]
Top African Venture Capital Funds Actively Investing in 2025
Sport England has announced a significant investment aimed at transforming lives in Thurrock and surrounding areas through increased access to sport and physical activity. This initiative is part of the broader Place Partnership investment, which focuses on increasing physical activity levels, reducing inactivity, providing positive experiences for children and young people, and addressing inequalities in… [Read More]
£9.8 Million Funding to Build Stronger, More Active Communities in Essex
Sport England has announced a significant investment aimed at transforming lives in Thurrock through sport and physical activity. This is part of the Place Partnership programme, designed to increase physical activity levels, reduce inactivity, provide positive experiences for children and young people, and address inequalities within local communities. Backed by £250 million in National Lottery… [Read More]
$16 Million Funding to Empower Australia’s Social Impact Leaders
An unprecedented philanthropic investment of $16.4 million is set to significantly expand Australia’s leading leadership development initiative for the social sector — Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA). This funding aims to build the capacity of CEOs and organisations addressing complex social and environmental issues, by helping to close the leadership development gap between corporate and… [Read More]
UK NGOs Mark Race Riots Anniversary with CEO-Led Solidarity Statement
Ahead of the first anniversary of the race riots in the UK, 43 leaders from UK-based NGOs have issued a solidarity statement reaffirming their commitment to anti-racist leadership. The statement emphasizes a shift towards global solidarity, equitable relationships, mutual learning, and collective action in the international development and humanitarian sectors. The NGO leaders acknowledge their… [Read More]
UK Launches Civil Society Covenant to Strengthen Community Partnerships
The UK government has published the Civil Society Covenant following nearly a year of consultation and negotiation with civil society. The Covenant serves as a formal agreement aiming to create a respectful and supportive environment where civil society is both engaged as a partner and empowered to hold government accountable. It sets the stage for… [Read More]
£30 Million Funding Boost for Local Leaders Across UK Nations to Spur Innovation
The UK government has announced that local leaders across all four nations of the United Kingdom will each receive at least £30 million to direct science and technology funding towards their regional strengths. This initiative, part of the £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, aims to unlock transformative research and innovations that improve everyday life… [Read More]
Youth Strategic Investment Fund Welcomes Two New Organizations in 2025
Each year, the Youth Strategic Investment Fund provides long-term support to organisations driving youth-led change. Through this initiative, selected organisations receive grants totalling £550,000 over five years to cover core operational costs. In addition to financial support, each organisation is offered tailored expert assistance valued at £175,000 to strengthen their capacity and long-term sustainability. These… [Read More]
Clean Water, Better Lives: Angola’s Urban Sanitation Project Making a Difference
The Institutional and Sustainability Support to Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Angola, funded by the African Development Bank since 2015, has had a transformative impact on communities struggling with access to safe water and sanitation. Previously, many families relied on distant river sources, leading to high rates of waterborne diseases. Now, with improved… [Read More]
USAID Contraceptives to Be Burned in France as 218M Women Still Lack Access
Nearly $10 million worth of U.S.-funded contraceptives, originally intended for distribution in low-income countries, are being shipped from Belgium to France for destruction. The stockpile, which includes IUDs, implants, and birth control pills, was designated to support reproductive health programs in vulnerable regions of Africa and Asia. However, a combination of political impasse and restrictive… [Read More]
New Water and Sanitation Facilities Launched in Bangui, Central African Republic
On 6 August 2025, the Government of the Central African Republic, in partnership with the African Development Bank, will inaugurate new water and sanitation infrastructure developed under the First Drinking Water and Sanitation Sub-Programme (PSEPA). The event will take place in Bangui and surrounding rural areas, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance essential infrastructure… [Read More]
2025 AfDB Report: Cameroon Must Strengthen Capital Mobilization for Long-Term Growth
The African Development Bank Group officially launched its 2025 Country Report on Cameroon during a ceremony held in Yaoundé on 22 July 2025. The event featured in-depth discussions on the country’s current economic challenges and development priorities. The report is part of the broader African Economic Outlook (AEO) 2025, which offers an annual review of… [Read More]
Uganda Launches NDC 3.0 to Strengthen Climate Action and Ambition
The Government of Uganda, with support from the African Development Bank, has officially launched the stocktaking process for its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and initiated the development of NDC 3.0. This launch marks a key milestone in Uganda’s climate action agenda, aligning national climate efforts with the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake under… [Read More]
Desert-to-Power: €6M SEFA Funding Boosts Dédougou Solar Energy Project in Burkina Faso
The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the African Development Bank, has pledged a €6 million concessional finance package to support the development of the 18 MW Dédougou Solar Power Plant in Burkina Faso. This investment represents a key step in expanding the country’s renewable energy capacity and addressing its energy access challenges…. [Read More]
