UNIDO, the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), the Union of Arab Banks (UAB), and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) have launched a strategic partnership under the Islamic and Arab Finance for Economic Transformation in Africa, the Arab Region and Beyond (IFETAA) Programme. Access to finance remains a critical barrier to small… [Read More]
Business
Elite Founders, Hidden Markets: Key Takeaways from EchoVC’s Eco Pilot Fund in Africa
Shell Foundation is excited to share insights from EchoVC’s inaugural Eco Pilot Fund, launched in partnership with UKaid through our Transforming Energy Access programme. The Fund set out with a bold mission: to support elite African founders tackling climate and climate-adjacent challenges with early-stage solutions that both cut emissions and boost incomes, transforming underserved markets…. [Read More]
AGF and Women’s World Banking Forge Strategic Partnership to Empower Women Entrepreneurs in Africa
The African Guarantee Fund (AGF) and Women’s World Banking (WWB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening women’s role in Africa’s economy by expanding access to finance and support for women-led businesses. The partnership highlights the shared commitment of both organizations to advancing women’s economic empowerment through finance, technical support, and advocacy…. [Read More]
PAI Secures €3.6 Billion to Extend Nestlé Ice Cream Joint Venture
European private equity firm PAI Partners has raised €3.6 billion ($4.2 billion) in fresh equity to strengthen its ice cream venture with Nestlé SA, enabling it to retain ownership of the business for a longer horizon. As part of the deal, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) will join as a minority co-investor in Froneri,… [Read More]
EIB Provides €300 Million Loan to Support Ukraine’s Energy Security and Green Transition
The European Investment Bank (EIB), the bank of the European Union, has signed a €300 million loan agreement with Ukraine’s state-owned energy company, Naftogaz, to bolster the country’s energy security and resilience ahead of winter. The financing will help replenish Ukraine’s long-term gas reserves, ensuring stable energy supplies for households and businesses despite continued Russian… [Read More]
Ukraine and EU Launch Structured Dialogue with Business on Accession Path
The European Union and Ukraine are deepening cooperation with the Ukrainian business community as part of the country’s path toward EU accession. At the High-Level Dialogue “Ukraine’s Economy on the Path to the EU” in Kyiv, senior representatives of the Ukrainian Government and Parliament, the EU, and EU Member States met with leaders from business,… [Read More]
Government Launches Black History Month with Ethnic Minority Leaders to Advance Race Equality
As Black History Month begins, Minister for Equalities Seema Malhotra and Baroness Lawrence convened the first thematic roundtable of the Race Equality Engagement Group (REEG), highlighting the government’s commitment to collaborating with ethnic minority communities to drive meaningful change. The meeting brought together leaders from ethnic minority communities alongside representatives from the Department for Business… [Read More]
Cambodia Strengthens Workforce Skills and Productivity Through Public-Private Collaboration
The Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations (CAMFEBA), with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), hosted a high-level workshop on skills and productivity, emphasizing the critical role of public–private partnerships in building a competitive, future-ready workforce. The Validation Workshop on Skills and Productivity brought together industry leaders, employer associations, training institutions, trade unions,… [Read More]
UN Task Force Urges Sustained Support for Social and Solidarity Economy Amid Global Recognition
The UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) has called for continued commitment to safeguard recent progress as the sector gains international recognition. During its 54th Regular Meeting, held virtually, members and observers welcomed references to cooperatives and the social and solidarity economy (SSE) in the Doha Political Declaration, set to be… [Read More]
ILO and Brazil Mark Milestone in Fight Against Forced Labour at American Regional Meeting
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo and Brazil’s Minister of Labour and Employment Luiz Marinho commemorated Brazil’s ratification of the 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention (No. 29) during the ILO’s 20th American Regional Meeting on 1 October in the Dominican Republic. This meeting provided the first high-level acknowledgment of Brazil’s… [Read More]
ZE-Gen and CLASP Announce $100,000 Global LEAP Solar Generator Competition to Drive Innovation in Clean Energy
ZE-Gen (Zero Emissions Generators Initiative) and international NGO CLASP have announced the launch of the Global LEAP Solar Generator Competition, a major international challenge to accelerate the transition from polluting fossil fuel generators to sustainable solar-powered solutions. Launching on 8 October 2025, the competition will award $100,000 in innovation prizes to showcase high-performing, efficient solar… [Read More]
World Bank: Digital Transformation Key to Boosting Public Sector Productivity
Malaysia is leveraging GovTech to deliver faster, more trusted public services—a digital transformation the World Bank highlights as central to enabling private sector growth and creating high-quality jobs, accelerating the country’s path toward high-income status. The World Bank’s new report, From Bytes to Benefits: Digital Transformation as a Catalyst for Public Sector Productivity, credits Malaysia’s… [Read More]
From Bytes to Benefits: Digital Transformation as a Catalyst for Public Sector Productivity
Digital transformation has become a cornerstone of modernization for governments worldwide, enabling institutions to operate more efficiently, citizens to access services more conveniently, and economies to capture new productivity gains. However, the benefits of GovTech are not automatic. Global experience shows that digital tools only translate into tangible improvements when they are coupled with strong… [Read More]
ADB Unveils 2025–2029 Country Partnership Strategy to Drive Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Indonesia
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched its new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for Indonesia for 2025–2029, setting out a roadmap to accelerate the country’s inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economic growth. Over the next five years, the strategy will advance along three strategic pathways—investing in people, strengthening economic competitiveness, and enhancing resilience and sustainability. These… [Read More]
Republic of Congo Businesses Gain Key Training to Access $103M African Development Bank Procurement Opportunities
Over 100 Congolese companies are now better equipped to compete for procurement opportunities with the African Development Bank (AfDB), following an information and awareness seminar held in Brazzaville on 24 September 2025. The event comes as part of preparations for the Bank’s Annual Meetings scheduled for May 2026 in Brazzaville. The seminar, led by the… [Read More]
IFAD Achieves Landmark US$1 Billion in Sustainable Bonds to Boost Development
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has surpassed US$1 billion in sustainable bond issuances since its first issuance in June 2022. This milestone was reached with the twelfth bond issued in September 2025, marking a significant expansion of IFAD’s ability to finance rural development projects globally. By the end of 2024, the first US$646… [Read More]
Bahrain Contributes USD 200,000 to Support Women Entrepreneurs in Global Trade
The Kingdom of Bahrain has contributed USD 200,000 to the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, a global initiative aimed at strengthening the participation of women-led businesses in international trade. The contribution was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed at the World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva on 29 September. The… [Read More]
Energy Department Pledges $365 Million to Revitalize Puerto Rico’s Power Grid
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the reallocation of up to $365 million to address Puerto Rico’s ongoing power grid crisis, aiming to provide reliable and affordable energy for the island’s 3.2 million residents. The funding will support essential repairs and emergency measures to strengthen grid stability and harden critical infrastructure. The DOE’s… [Read More]
EU to Enhance Financial Education and Expand Investment Opportunities Across Member States
The European Commission is advancing the Savings and Investments Union to provide tangible benefits for all EU citizens through improved financial literacy and accessible investment opportunities. The initiative includes two key proposals: a financial literacy strategy aimed at enhancing citizens’ financial awareness throughout their lives, and a blueprint for simple, user-friendly investment tools. The financial… [Read More]
Human Rights at Risk as Internet Access Disrupted in Afghanistan
Human Rights Watch has raised serious concerns over the Taliban’s nationwide internet shutdowns in Afghanistan, which began in mid-September 2025 and were fully implemented by the end of the month. The blackout has severely disrupted access to education, commerce, media, and healthcare services, undermining the livelihoods and fundamental rights of millions of Afghans. Taliban officials… [Read More]
International Nuclear Energy Summit Announced by Swedish Government
On 7 October 2025, Sweden will host a high-level summit on new nuclear energy in the Baltic Sea region, led by Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch along with several ministerial colleagues. Finland’s Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala will co-host the event. The summit reflects strong regional interest in nuclear… [Read More]
South Carolina Agricultural Recovery: USDA Awards $38.3 Million Following Hurricane Helene
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will provide over $38.3 million in recovery assistance to South Carolina agricultural producers affected by Hurricane Helene. The funds, distributed through a block grant agreement with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), aim to help farmers and ranchers recover from financial losses caused by the storm…. [Read More]
European Investment Bank Accelerates Green Funding to Boost Competitiveness and Tech Leadership
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has launched phase two of its Climate Bank Roadmap, reinforcing its position as a leading financier of the green industrial revolution and energy security. Building on the success of the first phase since 2020, this next stage prioritizes competitiveness, energy security, and affordability for households and businesses, while radically… [Read More]
