Betty Mtewele, a market vendor

2024: A year of cautious hope for African economies facing worldwide challenges

The continent's economic growth is expected to inch up to 3.5 per cent

My reflections on future of human rights: Roger Kodzo Klomegah

Human rights leaders need real-world solutions
Racheal Kalinaki.

Racheal’s resolve: Championing disability rights in Uganda

She envisions a world where everything we do is inclusive of young people with disabilities
Courteney Mukoyi, a young tech activist from Zimbabwe.

Courteney’s quest for e-Democracy

From Zimbabwe’s Tech to Global Recognition

Marking 75 years of Human Rights

African youth reshaping human rights on the continent
Pedro Comissário Afonso

Mozambique assumes presidency of UN Security Council, sets priorities

Climate, impact of conflict on women and children, and Security Council reform among March 2023 presidency priorities
 Afua Hirsch (Right) and Actor Samuel L  Jackson

‘Enslaved’ episode blends live action and historical research

British writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch helping unearth more on slave trade

I went into the government with fight against female genital mutilation

—Says Morissanda Kouyaté, Guinea’s foreign minister and 2020 UN Mandela Prize winner
Ambassador Agnes Mary Chimbiri-Molande

Amid global crises, Africa has opportunities for innovative development financing

Agnes Chimbiri-Molande, Permanent Representative of Malawi to the United Nations
Rondrotiana Barimalala

“Extreme weather events will be the new normal if global warming increases at current speed”

— Rondrotiana Barimalala, climate change researcher and contributing author to IPCC Report, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, on what it means for Africa.

Now is the time to sprint if we want to end hunger, achieve other SDGs

— Dr. Jemimah Njuki, the Custodian for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment for the UN Food Systems Summit 2021 and a Food Systems Champion.
Light Weapons Destroyed at Ceremony in Abidjan

We must tackle illicit weapons, ammunition in parts of Africa, globally

— Ambassador Martin Kimani, the Permanent Representative of Kenya to the UN and Chair of the Seventh Biennial Meeting of States.
Haben Girma, Lawyer and disability rights advocate

‘The biggest challenge is ableism, not my disability’

Meet lawyer Haben Girma, 33, a fierce advocate for disability rights

Africa Day at HLPF: Post-COVID-19 green recovery needs clean energy, nature-based solutions and digitalization

Recovery will be challenging without increased supply of vaccines across the continent.
An increased number of trucks are crisscrossing roads around the continent are stranded at borders.

How Uber-style trucking business is changing long-haul transport in Africa

Registered trucks and drivers are connected online, matched with cargo transport demand.
Mike Nkhombo Khunga

Food Systems Champion Mike Khunga, Malawi

From the Civil Society Organization Nutrition Alliance (CSONA) Mr Khunga is leading work on youth engagement.
Lucy Muchoki

Food Systems Champion Lucy Muchoki, Kenya

The Executive Director, Pan-African Agribusiness and Agroindustry Consortium (PanAAC) has organized talks for South Africa in the SMEs region.

Food Systems Champion Divine Ntiokam, Cameroon

The Founder & Managing Director of the Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network (CSAYN) set up a global Food Systems Summit Heroes Database and convened dialogues.
Divine Ntiokam, Lucy Muchoki Mike and Nkhombo Khunga.

Meet Africa’s food champions

In advance of the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit this September, the Food Systems Champions are rallying global communities and promoting dialogues for innovative, practical and sustainable solutions.
Kossi Gavon, 24, is a lieutenant from Togo serving in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali.

‘Involve young officers in peacekeeping missions’

— Kossi Gavon, 24, is a lieutenant from Togo serving in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali. (MINUSMA).
South African paratrooper/riflewoman, Phelisa Frida Miya

‘I like my work as a paratrooper’

- Phelisa Frida Miya, 28, a paratrooper/riflewoman from South Africa serving in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)
Photographer Polly Irungu.

Black women photographers shine in new global network

Kenyan-born US-based photographer launches global platform to market their talents.
Ambassador Ammo Aziza Baroud

Chad at the UN: Determined to have African voices heard in international forums

— Ambassador Ammo Aziza Baroud is the Permanent Representative of Chad to the UN in New York. She talks about her priorities and the importance of women’s empowerment.
Behind the camera capturing the scene

‘Misinformation can be deadly’

— Kamva Namba (South Africa)
An image of An image of Wavel Ramkalawan, political leaders and health workers took the COVID-19

COVID-19: African countries scramble for vaccines

Rich countries hoard available and future vaccines, as poor countries wait.
Dignity factory workers producing garments for overseas clients, in Accra, Ghana.

Africa’s free trade area opens for business

Trading under the continental free trade agreement started on 1st Jan.
Despite a fragile security situation, Central Africans overwhelmingly exercised their civic duty by

Elections in Africa go on amid COVID-19

Despite the pandemic, most countries stuck to their polling schedules in 2020.
Verified: MultiChoice joins war against COVID-19 misinformation.

VERIFIED: MultiChoice Group joins global effort against COVID-19 misinformation

Pan-African TV subscription platform engages young creatives to fight fake information
Tlamelo Makati.

African Union 'Sauti' blog: 'Healing: An Endless Maze'

Young female writer from Botswana raises awareness about challenges faced when recovering from gender-based violence.
Mr. Tanguy Gahouma Békalé

Africa must be at the heart of climate negotiations

— Mr. Tanguy Gahouma-Bekale, Chair, African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change
San Francisco Conference, 25 April - 26 June 1945

Four African countries at the founding of the UN in San Francisco in 1945

At the time of the historic conference, most African territories were still under colonial rule.
Agnes Kalibata, (Centre) speaking at a panel debate: Feed the Future:

We must transform our food production and consumption patterns

— Ms. Agnes Kalibata, UN Special Envoy for the 2021 Food Systems Summit. (#FoodSystems)
Gender based violence

Fighting the ‘domestic pandemic’: AU applauds Sauti blog entry on gender-based violence

Young female writer raises awareness on the tensions between upholding public image and surviving domestic violence.
Clothes, bags and accessories

African history told through fashionable printed clothing

A mainstay of African fashion, the Ankara, wax hollandais or Kitenge fabric holds up a mirror to history.
#DontGoViral: UNESCO and i4Policy campaign crowdsources local content to combat the Infodemic

UN, news organizations and artists fight against COVID-19 fake news

As COVID-19 spreads, so do fake news, conspiracy theories and doctored pictures and videos. Left unchecked, most of it is harmful and could lead to people ultimately losing their lives
Dr. Morissanda Kouyaté, laureate Mandela Prize 2020

“I will continue fighting FGM to protect women and girls”

— Dr. Morissanda Kouyaté, Mandela Prize Laureate 2020

As COVID-19 cases rise, African countries grapple with safely easing lockdowns

Re-opening economies, schools and borders is a tough balancing act
Igihozo, 11, listens to a lesson on a radio after his school was closed in Rwanda.

Radio lessons: In Africa schools are closed, but learning goes on

Countries use radio, TV and internet to keep students engaged
coronavirus

African countries ramp up coronavirus response to tackle fast spread

So far, more than half of African countries have reported cases
Black eye peas

Black-eyed peas: A taste of Africa in the Americas

From akara to acarajé: Culinary traditions that bind Africa and its diaspora
Airplanes waiting for take off.

African airlines navigate turbulent skies

Aviation expert on what airlines need to do to remain competitive
Armed Turkana herdsmen guard their livestock at a watering hole at Oropoyi, in Kenya’s north western district of Turkana. Armed raids and cattle rustling over water and pasture sites are common among communities in parts of Uganda, Kenya, Sudan and Ethiop

Small arms fueling deadly communal violence

Local communities in search of lasting peace
Musicians perform on the streets of Maputo, Mozambique, on International Jazz Day 2019. Photo: Mauro Vombe

Peace through jazz music

The trumpet is a ‘cool’ instrument to unite people
Bamboo bikes on display.

Young Africans create green businesses

The youth are the driving force for action on climate and the environment.
 South African climate activists. Photo: Ashraf Hendricks /Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Taking action on climate change

World leaders attending the Climate Action Summit at the UN in New York in September 2019 to bring concrete, realistic plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Angélique Kidjo performs in a concert.

African music on a round trip —from Cotonou to Cuba and back

Caribbean influence leaves its mark as popular Afro rhythms develop
Togolese politician and former presidential candidate Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson

Good education is the foundation for effective female leadership

—Togolese politician and former presidential candidate Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson
A Cameroonian refugee across the border in Cross River State, Nigeria. Photo: UNHCR/Simi Vijay

Crisis worsens in Cameroon

People flee as the UN calls for national reconciliation and durable solution
Agitating for change: Women wave flags during a demonstration in Kasbah Square, Tunis.     Photo: Panos / Alfredo D’Amato

Africa’s freedom struggles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

70 years since its adoption, the declaration has inspired liberation movements
The Italian Coast Guard rescues migrants bound for Italy. Photo: IOM / Francesco Malavolta

Risky journey to Europe

Louise Donavan
Search for greener pastures carries deadly consequences
The Italian Coast Guard rescues migrants bound for Italy. Photo: IOM / Francesco Malavolta

Risky journey to Europe

Louise Donavan
Search for greener pastures carries deadly consequences
Dr. Denis Mukwege meets with women in the DRC.  Photo/Endre Vestvik

Plaudits for the man who mends women

Celebrating Dr. Denis Mukwege: Nobel Peace Prize laureate 2018
Liberian political party supporters celebrate an election victory. Photo: UN /Albert González Farran

The evolving state of African elections

Twenty African countries to elect their leaders in 2018
 Traders from Africa buying goods in Xiaobei, China. Photo: Gwenn Dubourthoumieu

China’s ‘Little Africa’ losing its allure

A downturn in a Chinese city once bustling with African traders and brokers
Liberian women at an empowerment and leadership conference in Monrovia, Liberia. Photo: UNMIL Photo/Christopher Herwig

Women: Liberia’s guardians of peace

The role of women in bringing and sustaining peace lauded globally
William Elong

William Elong: An ICT innovator

Scaling up drone manufacture for a global market
Wizkid performs in London, United Kingdom. Photo: Alamy/Michael Tubi

Music: Nigeria’s new export

Naija beats topping international charts, but dividends are “scattered”
Students at the African Leadership University in Mauritius. Photo: ALU website

Nurturing young leaders

Training young African leaders can take societies to great heights
Used clothes market in Kitwe, Zambia. Photo: AfricaMediaOnline/ Paul Weinberg

Protectionist ban on imported used clothing

US threatens East Africa with AGOA expulsion
Travellers boarding a Kulula.com jet, South Africa’s first budget airline, at Durban International Airport. Photo: AMO/David Larsen

African airlines wait for open skies

African airlines must solve problems on their way to profitability
Chef and owner of a restaurant and catering company in Liberia. Photo: UN/ C. Herwig

Alternative financing strategies to boost small businesses in Africa

Essential small and medium-size enterprises need funding
Fatou Bensouda, ICC Prosecutor (left) and James Stewart, ICC Deputy Prosecutor. Photo: ICC

ICC: Beyond the threats of withdrawal

African countries in dilemma over whether to leave or support the International Criminal Court
An administrative building at the new Diamniadio industrial park in Dakar, Senegal. Photo: Reuters/Nellie Peyton

Urban growth a boon for Africa’s industrialization

The 2017 Economic Report on Africa calls for harnessing urban growth
Moroccan King Mohammed VI is welcomed by President John Pombe Magufuli on a visit to Tanzania in October 2016. Photo credit: Presidency of Tanzania

Morocco flexed economic muscles and returned to the AU

The North African country has now rejoined the African Union, having worked slowly but steadily to establish itself as a major economic force in sub-Saharan Africa.

Wanted: affordable medicines for all

UN panel calls for new global accords to make drugs cheaper
A laboratory studies student taking a blood sample for a routine antenatal malaria test at a government hospital in Ghana. Photo credit: Panos/Nyani Quarmyne

Public health schemes: Getting it right

Ghana grapples with making health care universally accessible
Rough diamonds found around Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: Panos/Marc Schlossman

DRC economy: The giant awakens

Despite conflict, investors continue to pour money into the Great Lakes region
New judges for the Court of Appeal being sworn in in Ghana. Photo: FH Communications Bureau

Judiciary: Fighting graft needs muscles

Impartial judges help strengthen the rule of law
African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry Fatima Haram Acyl (left) and India Minister of State for External Affairs Vijay Kumar Singh  (center) at the Third India-Africa Forum Summit in October 2015 in New Dehli, India. Photo: India Ministry of St

India, Africa rekindle trade ties

Franck Kuwonu
Old friends explore new possibilities
African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry Fatima Haram Acyl (left) and India Minister of State for External Affairs Vijay Kumar Singh  (center) at the Third India-Africa Forum Summit in October 2015 in New Dehli, India. Photo: India Ministry of St

India, Africa rekindle trade ties

Franck Kuwonu
Old friends explore new possibilities
The world’s largest solar power plant in Morocco will eventually provide 1.1 million people with electricity.  Photo: World Bank/Dana Smillie

Harvesting the sun

Scaling up solar power to meet Africa’s energy needs
Aerial view of the district of Plateau in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Photo: UN Photo/Basile Zoma

Abidjan regains its glamour

Spurred by Côte d’Ivoire’s current economic growth, the city is turning a corner
First day at school at the JP Brand School in Utuseb, Namibia. Photo: AMO/Graeme Williams

More students in school but still not all

MDG 2: Achieve universal primary education
A slum in Kibera, Kenya. Poverty remains a challenge in Africa. Photo: AMO/Colin Walker

Sub-Saharan Africa lags behind

MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Cashew nut processing and production factory in Sotria B Sarl, Banfora, Burkina Faso.   Alamy/Joerg Boethling

Cashing in on the cashew nuts boom

Local processing could boost revenue in Côte d’Ivoire
Factory workers package products at Decorplast, a manufacturer and regional exporter of injectionmoulded plastic goods in Ghana. Panos/ Nyani Quarmyne

Using trade to boost Africa’s industrialization

Deliberate trade policies could lead to growth
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and President-elect Muhammadu Buhari shake hands. In the middle is former head of state, Gen (Rtd) Abdulsalam Abubakar.

African presidential elections 2015: Nigeria leads the way

Seven other African countries; Burkina-Faso, Burundi, Central Africa Republic, the Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Sudan and Togo are set to hold elections in 2015
Young women study in a science laboratory at Mogadishu University, Somalia. Photo: Panos/Sven Torfinn

Millions of girls remain out of school

The gender gap has narrowed, but progress is starting to stall
Women harvesting rice in Carysburg, Liberia.  Photo: Panos/Aubrey Wade

Ebola disruption could spark new food crisis

Food prices skyrocket as farmers abandon farms
Workers lay rails at a train station outside Niamey, Niger.  Photo: Ado Youssouf

West Africa: New railway network aims to boost inter-regional trade

Rail to link Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria and Togo
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