A three-day Normative Capacity-Building Workshop organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) from 23 to 25 July 2025 at Pamodzi Hotel marked a key development in Zambia’s efforts to improve compliance with international labour standards. The event brought together diverse stakeholders, including officials from major government ministries, employer organizations, worker representatives, and development partners. Participants… [Read More]
IDB Commits $1 Billion to Support Economic Reforms and Investment Growth in Brazil
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $1 billion (R$5.5 billion) loan to support Brazil’s Ecological Transformation Plan, a key policy reform agenda aimed at enhancing the business environment and stimulating private investment. The initiative seeks to improve financial conditions, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote sustainable economic growth. Central to this effort is the… [Read More]
AfDB and Sierra Leone Target $90 Billion Lost Annually to Illicit Financial Flows
A four-day high-level seminar organized by the African Development Bank Group and the Government of Sierra Leone concluded with concrete recommendations to tackle the estimated $90 billion Africa loses annually to illicit financial flows. The event focused on strengthening natural resource governance across the continent. Held at The Place Resort in Tokeh, the seminar brought… [Read More]
AfDB Grants $30 Million to Help Benin Farmers Tackle Climate Change and Hunger
The African Development Bank Group has approved $30.25 million to support a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing climate resilience and securing agricultural livelihoods in Benin. The project will assist 150,000 smallholder farmers, a vital workforce in a country where agriculture employs the majority but remains vulnerable to erratic climate patterns. The Alibori and Atakora regions… [Read More]
Over 1.3 Million Displaced Sudanese Start Returning Home as Aid Needs Soar
As conflict continues across much of Sudan, more than one million internally displaced Sudanese have begun returning home, alongside an additional 320,000 people crossing back into Sudan from neighboring countries such as Egypt and South Sudan. Many of these returns are to areas like Khartoum, Sennar, and Al Jazirah, despite the severe destruction caused by… [Read More]
Green Climate Fund Grants R700 Million to Boost South Africa’s Climate Resilience
South Africa has secured a significant climate finance grant of over USD 40 million (approximately R700 million) from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to strengthen its disaster risk management in response to the escalating impacts of climate change. The funding announcement was made during the 42nd GCF Board meeting held in Port Moresby, Papua New… [Read More]
Empowering Africa’s Youth to Lead the Green Energy Revolution
Africa is at a crossroads, facing the dual challenge of a rapidly growing youth population and the urgent need to tackle climate change. These dynamics present a rare opportunity to launch a green energy revolution that can drive sustainable development and generate millions of jobs. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7—affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy… [Read More]
UN Human Rights Experts Welcome Easing of Sanctions on Syria
The United Nations experts welcomed the recent lifting of sanctions on Syria by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. These sanctions had been in place for over 14 years and had significant and widespread human rights impacts across the country. The sanctions were initially imposed in 2011 after the Syrian Government, under… [Read More]
Zimbabwe to Host UN Working Group on Women’s and Girls’ Rights
The UN Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls will carry out an official country visit to Zimbabwe from 28 July to 8 August 2025. The purpose of the visit is to assess the nation’s progress and challenges in achieving gender equality and eliminating discrimination against women and girls. During the mission, the experts… [Read More]
First International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent Calls for Bold Action and Recognition of Leadership
The International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent was observed for the first time on 25 July. This day highlights the urgent need to shift from symbolic gestures to meaningful actions, such as increased investment in education, breaking down harmful stereotypes, and ensuring women and girls of African descent are represented in leadership… [Read More]
Erasmus+ EU Funding for Education, Youth, Training & Sport Opportunities
The 2025 Erasmus+ Capacity Building for Higher Education programme has proposed 173 new projects for funding, aiming to enhance international cooperation in higher education. These projects are part of a broader effort to strengthen the global role of higher education institutions in tackling shared challenges and adapting to rapid changes in the education landscape. The… [Read More]
Google Invests $37 Million to Boost AI Innovation and Talent Across Africa
Across Africa, AI is increasingly being harnessed to address local challenges in sectors such as climate resilience, agriculture, healthcare, education, and language accessibility. With its youthful population and strong culture of innovation, Africa is contributing unique perspectives to global AI development. As this transformative technology evolves, empowering African researchers, developers, and organizations becomes essential. To… [Read More]
AFC Invests €85 Million in Angola’s National Road Plan
The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has disbursed €75 million of an €85 million sovereign facility to the Government of Angola, facilitated through the Ministry of Finance. This funding is part of a larger €381.5 million financing package aimed at strengthening Angola’s transport infrastructure. The initiative supports the construction of 186 priority bridges and upgrades to… [Read More]
Record Arts Funding Announced: Historic Boost for Creative Sector
Budget 2025 in Alberta allocates $4.5 million to support artists through the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA), maintaining the province’s highest-ever arts funding level. This investment brings total funding for the arts sector to $36.1 million, reinforcing Alberta’s commitment to fostering creativity, cultural preservation, and economic development. The arts are recognized as a vital… [Read More]
FARE Fund Awards $3 Million to Improve Healthy Food Access and Expand Retail Options
The Reinvestment Fund has announced $3 million in financial assistance through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Food Access and Retail Expansion (FARE) Fund. These funds will support 14 food retail and supply chain projects across 14 U.S. states, targeting rural, urban, and tribal communities. The initiative focuses on improving access to healthy food, strengthening… [Read More]
AIIB and BTG Pactual Partner on $160M Climate Infrastructure Deal in Brazil
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and BTG Pactual have signed a seven-year, USD160-million on-lending facility to support the financing of climate-aligned infrastructure projects in Brazil. This agreement represents AIIB’s largest private-sector transaction in Brazil and its first collaboration with BTG Pactual, which is the largest investment bank in Latin America. The initiative aims to… [Read More]
Aid Funding Crisis Exposes Fragile Localisation Promises by INGOs
In early 2025, the global aid landscape was disrupted when the United States government issued an Executive Order drastically cutting or suspending much of USAID’s work. This move slashed approximately $60 billion from U.S. foreign assistance, significantly affecting global humanitarian and development operations. As the U.S. previously accounted for nearly 30% of aid from DAC… [Read More]
Saving Lives and Livelihoods: Financial Inclusion Efforts in Eastern and Southern Africa
The World Bank has approved a $400 million financing package for the second phase of the Regional Emergency Preparedness and Access to Inclusive Recovery (REPAIR) Program. This phase will benefit over 12 million people in Angola, Burundi, Malawi, Seychelles, and Zambia by enhancing financial readiness against climate-related and other disasters. The initiative aims to leverage… [Read More]
Blended Finance Success Stories: Real-World Results and Lessons
Blended finance has emerged as a central strategy for financing sustainable development, especially in the aftermath of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). The concept involves using public or philanthropic funds to reduce investment risks, thereby attracting private capital to areas that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With developing countries facing… [Read More]
Ireland’s National Development Plan Boosts Funding for Disability Services and Early Childhood Education
The updated National Development Plan (NDP) has significantly increased the allocation for Ireland’s Department of Children, Disability and Equality, raising the budget to nearly €800 million for the period 2026 to 2030. This marks a substantial rise from the €255 million allocated in the previous plan covering 2021 to 2025. This enhanced funding will support… [Read More]
African Development Bank and OPEC Fund Partner to Strengthen Environmental and Social Safeguards Across Africa
The African Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development have launched a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing environmental and social safeguards across Africa. The initiative was inaugurated through a continent-wide capacity-building workshop held from 3–5 June 2025 at the OPEC Fund Headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The event convened over 50 development professionals from… [Read More]
The Gambia Secures $19.93 Million ADF Grant to Address Fragility and Boost Rural Opportunities
The African Development Bank Group has approved a $19.93 million grant for The Gambia under the Resilience Building – Vulnerable Youth and Women Support Project. The funding aims to improve access to essential social services in underserved areas and promote sustainable livelihoods, addressing the structural drivers of poverty, fragility, and irregular migration. This initiative falls… [Read More]
TUI Futureshapers Expands to Portugal and North Africa, Turning Social Issues into Business Opportunities
The TUI Care Foundation has launched two new initiatives under its global TUI Futureshapers programme, aimed at transforming social challenges into entrepreneurial opportunities in tourism. The latest projects target Portugal and North Africa, offering tailored support to aspiring social entrepreneurs seeking to develop sustainable tourism businesses. In Portugal, the new phase of TUI Futureshapers builds… [Read More]
