The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Oyo State Government, in collaboration with the African Development Bank, are set to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the Oyo State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) on 2 August 2025. The event, which will take place in Ijaiye, Akinyele Local Government Area, will feature prominent figures including Nigeria’s… [Read More]
Labor
Uzbekistan Boosts Data Governance with New Workshop on Open and Gender Data
The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the Open Data Charter and the National Committee on Statistics, hosted a two-day workshop on 29–30 July 2025. The event aimed to promote the effective use of open and gender data within Uzbekistan’s public sector. The workshop brought together data professionals from ministries, government agencies, and… [Read More]
Government of Canada and UK Partner to Advance AI Alignment Breakthroughs
The Government of Canada recognizes artificial intelligence (AI) as a critical driver of the country’s future prosperity, security, and global leadership. To harness its benefits, Canada is investing in scaling up its AI ecosystem, building robust infrastructure, fostering the adoption of AI systems, and strengthening public trust in AI technologies. The government emphasizes that these… [Read More]
Call for Participation: Help Shape Resilient Futures in Foresight Sprint
The upcoming Resilience Investment Foresight Sprint offers an opportunity for students, academics, and professionals to collaboratively shape national foresight scenarios that influence strategic resilience investments and help reduce disaster risk. This initiative aims to generate innovative and actionable pathways that can inform national disaster risk management, climate policies, development planning, and investment strategies. Selected scenarios… [Read More]
New Global Initiative by UNDP and French Senate to Promote Democracy
The French Senate and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a new global partnership aimed at strengthening democratic governance through more effective, accountable, and inclusive parliamentary institutions. This initiative comes at a time when democratic systems are increasingly under pressure worldwide. The partnership will utilize UNDP’s extensive global experience—currently supporting 65 parliaments—and the… [Read More]
Africa Day of Seas and Oceans: IUCN Urges Decade of Ocean Regeneration and Regional Solidarity
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) marked this year’s Africa Day of Seas and Oceans by aligning with the African Union and regional partners to celebrate the continent’s marine heritage and recognize the communities that protect it. This year’s observance also signifies the conclusion of the Africa Decade of Seas and Oceans (2015–2025),… [Read More]
Mediterranean Conservation Success Stories Featured on IUCN Contribution Platform
Two Mediterranean conservation initiatives—from Morocco’s Atlantic Sahara and Spain’s Catalonia—are now featured on the IUCN Contribution Platform, showcasing how IUCN Members are using this digital tool to share their impact. As part of global efforts to meet the targets set under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the IUCN Programme, the platform enables Members, Commissions,… [Read More]
African Development Bank Backs Rural Youth Entrepreneurship in Burkina Faso
On July 15, 2025, the African Development Bank and the Government of Burkina Faso officially launched the third phase of the incubator program under the Support Project for Youth Employment and Skills Development in Rural Areas (PADEJ-MR) in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. The PADEJ-MR initiative aims to address rural unemployment and underemployment by… [Read More]
Burkina Faso Advised to Better Utilize Domestic Resources for Development – 2025 Focus Report
The African Development Bank officially launched its 2025 Country Focus Report for Burkina Faso on 18 July 2025 in Ouagadougou. The report is the national edition of the African Economic Outlook and was unveiled during a virtual session attended by over 80 participants, including representatives from public administration, financial and technical partners, academia, the private… [Read More]
Romanian Youth Mental Health Boosted by UNICEF and Spotify Audio Collaboration
UNICEF has launched a Romanian-language version of its mental health podcast On My Mind on Spotify, aimed at supporting the emotional well-being of young people in Romania. The podcast features eight freely accessible episodes that provide practical exercises and information to help youth manage their mental health. The content was co-created with local young people… [Read More]
Pakistan Signs WHO Agreement to Boost Childhood Cancer Survival Rates to 60% by 2030
Pakistan has officially joined the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, becoming the second country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to take part in this initiative. The program, co-founded by the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, aims to improve access to quality-assured cancer medications for children in low-… [Read More]
Tanzania to Roll Out WHO’s “Beat the Heat” Initiative to Tackle Extreme Heat and Health Risks
The United Republic of Tanzania, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), is set to implement the “Beat the Heat” Initiative to address the growing risks of extreme heat and environmental hazards. This effort focuses particularly on protecting health in workplaces and during large-scale public events. Tanzania is one of the first countries globally… [Read More]
AfDB and ESAAMLG Launch Project to Fight Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in Africa
The African Development Bank Group and the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) officially launched a three-year regional support project on 25 July to strengthen efforts against money laundering and terrorism financing. Titled the “Regional Capacity Development Project for ESAAMLG on Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism,” the initiative aims to… [Read More]
African Development Bank and ESAAMLG Partner to Combat Illicit Financial Flows in Africa
The African Development Bank Group and the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) officially launched a three-year regional support project on 25 July to strengthen efforts against money laundering and terrorism financing. Titled the “Regional Capacity Development Project for ESAAMLG on Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism,” the initiative aims to… [Read More]
Federal Government to Begin Construction of Special Agro-Industrial Zone in Oyo, Nigeria
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the Oyo State Government, is set to launch the construction of the Oyo State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) on Saturday, 2 August 2025. The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at the SAPZ Phase 1 site in Atan, Ijaiye, Akinyele Local… [Read More]
Nepalese Unions Develop Custom Training Tools for Informal Workers
A design sprint in Kathmandu, Nepal brought together 14 worker representatives to co-develop union-led training tools aimed at supporting informal domestic and waste management workers. With 84.6% of Nepal’s workforce engaged in informal employment—many of whom are women—there is a pressing need for inclusive, rights-based solutions. These workers often lack formal contracts, social security coverage,… [Read More]
EU Proposes Partial Suspension of Israel’s Participation in Horizon Europe
The European Commission has proposed a partial suspension of Israel’s participation in the Horizon Europe program. This measure specifically targets Israeli entities involved in activities funded under the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, which supports start-ups and small businesses developing disruptive technologies. The decision is linked to the EU-Israel Association Agreement, particularly Article 2, which… [Read More]
European Union Allocates €1.1M for Urgent Water Relief in Basra
In response to the worsening water crisis in Basra, located in southern Iraq, the European Union has allocated EUR 1.1 million in humanitarian aid. The funding will support emergency efforts to meet urgent water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs over a six-month period, focusing on the most vulnerable populations. Around 500,000 people are estimated to… [Read More]
Apply Now: Digital Freedom Fund Grants Open for Summer 2025
In June 2025, the Digital Freedom Fund approved its latest round of grants, awarding 11 projects with a combined total of approximately EUR 380,000. These grants aim to support litigation that advances digital rights across Europe. With this new round, the Fund has now awarded over 130 grants worth nearly EUR 5 million since its… [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]
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]
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]
