Kingsley Ighobor
Kingsley Ighobor is a public information officer for the United Nations, New York. He is the managing editor at the Africa Renewal.
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Breaking gender barriers through education
Nigerian gender advocate roots for empowerment of women and girls
Lessons post the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda: we must speak out against discrimination and prejudice
— Ambassador Ernest Rwamucyo, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations
Angola: Soyo entrepreneurs switching from oil to sustainable agriculture
Empretec training programme by UNCTAD is equipping them with the knowledge to explore new sustainable business opportunities.
Transforming4Trade
Working with local governments to change lives for the better
Could Angola become Africa’s logistics hub?
Yes, according to Catarino Fontes Pereira, head of Angolan logistics regulatory agency
We must confront the legacy of slavery, tackle systemic racism
Epsy Alejandra Campbell Barr, Chair of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, emphasizes the need for African descendants and Africans to collaborate in addressing common challenges
Seeing new markets across borders
Empretec training opens an entrepreneur’s eyes to AfCFTA opportunities
From a shipping container to a sprawling complex
A young entrepreneur’s big dreams become a reality
Angola’s small businesses drive economic growth
Hirondino Garcia and his wife, Carolina, have a unique relationship that holds valuable lessons for new businesses, especially in Africa.
How Angola is transforming its economy through commerce
A conversation with Amadeu de Jesus Leitão Nunes, Angola’s Secretary of State for Commerce
Angola’s young entrepreneurs ‘Empretecos’ on a mission to transform their country
A unique training programme – EMPRETEC - offered by UNCTAD sparks interest in entrepreneurship, with the youth leading the way
Pursuing sustainable solutions to Africa’s economic challenges
— Claver Gatete, the new Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Africa
Angola: Varsity head paving way for more women in top jobs
Prof. Virginia Lacerda Quartim is the dean of José Eduardo dos Santos University in Huambo Province
Angola at the UN: Diversifying Angola’s economy to boost trade exports
Amb. Francisco José da Cruz explains how promoting domestic production and consumption will create more jobs and boost incomes
‘Transforming4Trade’ will reshape African economies
Infrastructure development is pivotal, as we work to create necessary transport links for diversifying into sectors like agroindustry and processing - Paul Akiwumi
I want every child to be passionate about education
— says internationally acclaimed Nigerian DJ Cuppy on International Day of Peace
With leadership and determination, Africa can achieve the SDGs
Antonio Pedro, Acting Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa
Climate action: Africa’s ambition is to produce electric vehicles
Antonio Pedro, Acting Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa
How we make award-winning music videos in Africa
- Justin Edet, a Nigerian music video director narrates
Young John: Nigeria’s leading music producer, singer on how Afrobeats is taking over the global stage
The Award-winning songwriter says African music can only get better and bigger
Transforming Africa’s Food Systems: the challenges and opportunities
—A Conversation with Ibrahim Mayaki, African Union Special Envoy
As a UN Security Council member, Sierra Leone will promote peace, security and good governance in Africa
— says Foreign Minister David Francis
Award wining Ghanaian peacekeeper urges girls to choose career in military
Capt. Cecilia Erzuah was recognized for her outstanding efforts in promoting gender equality within UN peacekeeping operations
Water-insecure Africa gets some wins at the UN Water Conference
Charlotte MacAlister, the lead author of the Global Water Security 2023 Assessment report, says African governments and citizens must take urgent actions to boost water security
Rwanda: Using innovative poker games to promote sexual and reproductive health among the youth
Inventor Ndagijimana Benoit says ‘Ishema Ryanjye’ card games are a hit among adolescents
Comoros has huge untapped investment potential
Francois Xavier Batalingaya, the UN Resident Coordinator in Comoros, says the country could benefit significantly from Africa’s free trade area
Prioritising Human Rights in Africa
The plan is to bring these issues to policy and governance processes.
How we are moving the gender agenda forward in Sierra Leone
— Ms. Manty Tarawalli, Gender and Children’s Affairs Minister, says a new landmark gender equality and women’s empowerment law is a game changer for women
LDCs: We must ensure that low carbon transitions don’t harm poor countries
Paul Akiwumi, Director, UNCTAD's Division for Africa says solutions include financing, increasing intra-African trade, and policies that help domestic private sector.
AfCFTA: A young trader’s continental dreams coming true
Thirty-year-old Kenyan entrepreneur Linda Chepkwony wants to mobilise young Africans to help industrialize the continent through free trade pact
African journalists: More training and resources will boost climate change coverage
Environment reporting is expensive; it needs a lot of traveling and risk-taking
COP27: Key takeaways for Africa
We should not underestimate how much of a game changer a facility on loss and damage is
Effective climate action will help the Gambia’s peace and stability
— Seraphine Wakana, UN Resident Coordinator in the Gambia
Climate action: Rwanda is a laboratory of innovative ideas
— Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator, Rwanda
Protecting Madagascar’s rich biodiversity is an investment in our planet
—Issa Sanogo, UN Resident Coordinator in Madagascar
Why Gabon is a model of environmental conservation
— Savina Ammassari, UN Resident Coordinator, Gabon
The world expects COP27 to be solutions focused—and it will
— Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator, Egypt
Why top African companies are backing the climate fight
— Sanda Ojiambo, CEO, UN Global Compact
Millions pledged at Africa adaptation acceleration event
UK pledged $230 million, the Netherlands $110 million, AfDB $12.5 billion, Germany to increase contribution to $6 billion by 2025
Bloomberg, SEforAll announce plan to accelerate energy transition in developing countries
Michael Bloomberg and Damilola Ogunbiyi to expand partnership to mobilize financing for clean energy projects
Young Africans at COP27 say they want action, not words
‘Our planet is in trouble, and we, the young people, will be the ones to suffer if action is not taken to save it’ – Yoanna Milad, 21, from Egypt
A just transition to renewable energy in Africa
South Africa’s plan could be a roadmap for countries transitioning from high-polluting energy sources to renewables
How the Islamic Development Bank is financing projects in Africa
- Mansur Muhtar, Vice President, Islamic Development Bank
Ongoing regional infrastructure will boost free trade in Africa
— Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank
COP27 is Africa’s COP. It must address Africa’s climate challenges
— Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank
Transforming Education Summit 2022: Global mobilisation to save education systems
Sierra Leone’s education minister David Sengeh, who is co-chair of the Summit’s Advisory Committee, says governments, civil society, students, and young people must reimagine education
Fintech, other knowledge-intensive services could drive Africa’s prosperity, boost inclusion
Paul Akiwumi, Director of UNCTAD’s Division for Africa, discusses a newly released report that urges diversification of African economies
Jobs and climate action are top priorities of young people in Africa
— Chido Cleopatra Mpemba, African Union Envoy on Youth
'Africa Renewal' turns 35: A journey of stories and hope
How we evolved from Africa Emergency to Africa Recovery to now Africa Renewal
Climate change poses risks, COP27, presents unique opportunity for Africa
- Maria de Jesus dos Reis Ferreira, Permanent Representative of Angola to the United Nations in New York, says it’s time for climate justice for Africa
EU-AU Summit 2022: The EU wants to be Africa’s friend in need—and indeed
African and European leaders focus on actions to avoid previous pitfalls
Women must be at the centre of Africa’s transformative free trade area
As we celebrate Women’s Day this March, the Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN Ambassador Mathu Joyini says Africa needs to be deliberate in creating opportunities for women.
Key pillars mostly in place to speed up Africa's free trade in 2022
One year in, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiators are making progress on remaining crucial elements, especially on rules of origin.
AfCFTA: Traders to have opportunities to scale up and expand their markets in 2022
Immediate priorities include finalising negotiations on rules of origin, providing a finance facility for SMEs and launching the African Trade Gateway digital platform.
One year of free trading in Africa calls for celebration despite teething problems
Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General AfCFTA Secretariat, says significant progress expected in 2022.
New Pan-African payments system provides big relief for African traders
The launch of PAPSS will save $5 billion yearly and boost intra-African trade
Despite huge challenges, we can still achieve the SDGs by 2030
— Ambassador Collen Vixen Kelapile, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
For equitable access to vaccines globally, we need action, not just mere words
— Ambassador Collen Vixen Kelapile, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Effective community policing in Nigerian town could be a model for other places
Police commander Olubayo Ajao is a folk hero to residents in Ekpoma, mid-west Nigeria
Africa needs more funds to fight COVID-19
—Benedict Okey Oramah, President of Afreximbank and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the African Union COVID-19 Response Fund.
'Our goal is speedy vaccination of 800 million Africans'
—Benedict Okey Oramah, President of Afreximbank and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the African Union COVID-19 Response Fund.
Energy will play a critical role in the success of Africa’s free trade area
—Damilola Ogunbiyi, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All.
Limited supplies slow COVID-19 vaccination in Africa
Only 38 million vaccines have been received on the continent of about 1.2 billion people.
Liberia's Vice President Jewel Taylor calls for an African industrial revolution
In an interview with Africa Renewal, Ms. Taylor also discusses Liberia's development priorities.
AfCFTA: 100 days since start of free trading, prospects seem bright
Trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area kicked off on 1 January. The coming months will likely witness a convergence of fruitful outcomes of multiple moving parts.
COVID-19, oil spill in Mauritius highlight the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States
— Amanda Serumaga, UNDP’s Resident Representative for Mauritius and Seychelles.
Mauritius: A fisherman’s life amid COVID-19 and an oil-polluted ocean
“From where we live, we could see that the MV Wakashio had run aground on the reefs,” says Bimsen Beeharry.
New AU chair DRC’s President Felix Tshisekedi sets ambitious agenda for 2021
Top priorities are COVID-19, the AfCFTA, peace, climate change, integration, gender equality and promoting African culture.
UN, Swiss government new financing model to tackle water and sanitation challenges in Sierra Leone
Project in the capital Freetown blends public and private financing, could be replicated in other African countries.
Africa CDC: There is a continental plan to vaccinate millions of Africans
— Dr. John Nkengasong, Director, Africa CDC
Sierra Leone: Innovative water project will improve lives of Freetown residents
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown says the newly launched Freetown-Blue Peace water project will significantly improve the living conditions of city dwellers and the socio-economic situation of especially market women.
AfCFTA: Experts, traders call for robust participation of women and youth
'Futures Report' looks at the challenges and opportunities in intra-African trade.
COVID-19 recovery: African youth-led Policy Paper makes case for better governance and innovation
First of its kind #AfricaYouthLead policy paper is a result of continent-wide consultations, focus groups and surveys in English, Swahili, French, and Arabic.
Inclusive governance and regional focus will help drive Africa’s industrialization
— Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO, African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD).
AfCFTA: Africa readying for free trade come January 2021
Exciting times ahead for traders despite anticipated teething problems and COVID-19
Illicit Financial Flows: It’s time to end the plunder of Africa’s resources
— Paul Akiwumi, UNCTAD’s Director for Africa, LDCs and Special Programmes
Temie Giwa-Tubosun: the Nigerian entrepreneur delivering blood to patients
“What keeps me going is that someone is about to die, and they don’t die.”
Africa’s young entrepreneurs can help in post-COVID recovery
— Jason Pau, Senior Advisor for International Programmes at the Jack Ma Foundation
Africa needs strong institutions and smart policies
— K.Y. Amoako, President, African Center for Economic Transformation
Sierra Leonean technologist’s app helps to fight COVID-19
Earlier version of locally developed app was used to help tackle the 2014 Ebola outbreak
AfCFTA Secretariat commissioned in Accra as free trade is set to begin in January 2021
A flagship project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area creates a market of 1.2 billion people with a combined GDP of $3 trillion.
Genocide happens when democracy is absent
—Tali Nates, Founder and Executive Director of the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre
Empowered women can unlock Africa’s development dividends
— Zainab Hawa Bangura, Director-General, United Nations Office at Nairobi
Small businesses in Africa must innovate to survive COVID-19 impact
— Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director, International Trade Centre
Digital trade is the next big thing in Africa
— Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat (AfCFTA)
Africans must explore opportunities in digital trade
— African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Chief Wamkele Mene
Beyond ending conflict in Africa, we must tackle its root causes
— Hanna Tetteh, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to the African Union
UNCTAD: Africa should use Official Development Assistance to diversify economies
—Paul Akiwumi, UNCTAD’s Director, Division for Africa, LDCs and Special Programmes
AfCFTA: Implementing Africa’s free trade pact the best stimulus for post-COVID-19 economies
— Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat
COVID-19: People with disabilities facing tougher times
UN calls for people with disabilities to be at centre of response
Only a united Africa can defeat COVID-19
Ahunna Eziakonwa, director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa
Everyone deserves quality healthcare, not just the rich
-Ahunna Eziakonwa, director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa
UNDP working to help African countries recover from COVID-19
-Ahunna Eziakonwa, director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa
Together we can win the war against COVID-19
— Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
Bigger than Africa: Tales of the Yoruba people
Conversations with filmmaker Toyin Ibrahim Adekeye
President Julius Maada Bio speaks on child and maternal mortality in Sierra Leone
“Pregnancy must not be a death sentence, we are working on different interventions”
Africa’s regional integration will benefit all
— Ibrahim Mayaki, chief executive officer of the the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), which is currently transforming into the African Union Development Agency (AUDA)—the implementing arm of the AU.
Address development issues in the Lake Chad Basin
—Ambassador Mamman Nuhu, Lake Chad Basin Commission Executive Secretary
Work in progress for Africa’s remaining conflict hotspots
Insecurity persists in the DR Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Mali and Libya
I hope my award will inspire African women and girls
Says Major Seynabou Diouf, recipient of 2019 UN Female Police Officer award
Reshaping the forces
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
Africans can do business with the UN
— Christian Saunders, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Supply Chain Management
Africa helping to shape the world
— Prof. Tajjani Muhammad-Bande, incoming president of the UN General Assembly
No real development in Africa without regional integration
— Ahunna Eziakonwa
Economic empowerment of women good for all
Countries make progress lifting endemic obstacles
Nigeria needs free, fair and credible elections
— Edward Kallon, UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria
Towards a safe and orderly migration
A global migration compact may help combat the myth that migrants are liabilities
Africa set for a massive free trade area
Experts say the African Continental Free Trade Agreement is a game changer
How we disarmed Liberian fighters
— Lt. Gen. Daniel Opande
How we disarmed Liberian fighters
— Lt. Gen. Daniel Opande
Mission accomplished: 15 years of peacekeeping success in Liberia
As the last contigents of peacekeepers depart, UN promises to remain engaged
Bringing rural women to the frontline
— Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women executive director
New Africa-wide initiative will create jobs
— Ibrahim Assane Mayaki
Closing Africa’s wealth gap
Economists call for new approach to planting, nurturing seeds of equity
Partnerships provide a lifeline for cash-strapped countries
Governments reforming to woo private capital
Global economic gravity rapidly pulling towards Africa
— Abdoulaye Mar Dieye
Africa’s quest for a cashless economy gains momentum
Insufficient financial inclusion, unbanked masses and financial literacy are increasingly attracting investors
Overfishing destroying livelihoods
African waters are powerful magnets for illegal and unregulated foreign fishing operations
Development goals in local languages
Young leader helps translate SDGs in different African languages
Young people need opportunities to display their talents
—Tonye Cole, one of Africa’s top business leaders
Youth can help achieve SDGs
—Samuel Malinga
Youth still under-represented in leadership
—Samar Mezghanni
Africa's jobless youth cast a shadow over economic growth
Leaders put job-creation programmes on the front burner
Africa’s future rests on its youth
— Ahmad Alhendawi, former United Nations youth envoy
Africa welcomes new trade initiatives from Japanese investors
TICAD VI’s Nairobi Declaration is aimed at boosting economic ties
Commodity prices crash hits Africa
Volatile global financial markets and weaknesses in global growth to blame
Diagnosing Africa’s medical brain drain
Higher wages and modern facilities are magnets for Africa’s health workers
A green path to industrialization
The only viable option for Africa’s continued development
African democracy coming of age
Strong institutions: judiciary, media and civil society helping to strengthen leadership
Boost in Japan-Africa ties
Japan is increasingly eager to support Africa’s transformation
Mbeki panel ramps up war against illicit financial flows
Tax evasion by multinational companies, drug trafficking, smuggling, bribery and embezzlement are the main conduits
Lagos now wears a new look
City transforming from chaos of traffic congestion, rickety buses and pickpockets
A glass half-empty, yet half-full
MDG 4: Reduce child mortality
African leaders pledge to fight for a deal on climate change
An opportunity to emphasize the link between climate and development
African leaders pledge to fight for a deal on climate change
An opportunity to emphasize the link between climate and development
Financing Africa’s development agenda
— Carlos Lopes
Financing Africa’s development agenda
— Carlos Lopes
‘I foresee a world without poverty’
— Amina Mohammed
Sustainable Development Goals are in sync with Africa’s priorities
Newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals could transform the continent
Billions now required to save depleted healthcare systems
Ebola’s most affected countries lobby for funding for hospital infrastructure
Ebola: A bumpy road to zero transmission
Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone remain vigilant as infections decline in the three countries
A celebratory rise in women’s political participation
Number of women legislators inches upward in Africa
Ebola threatens economic gains in affected countries
Foreign workers return home, citing contagion fears
Financing Africa’s massive projects
Innovative bankrolling gains popularity and raises high hopes among key countries
Financing Africa’s massive projects
Innovative bankrolling gains popularity and raises high hopes among key countries
Improving maternal health in Africa
Despite progress in some countries, many women and babies still die during childbirth in Africa
Africa’s economy set for dramatic changes
— Carlos Lopes
Africa wants equal partners
— Maged Abdelaziz
Africa needs both aid and trade
— Arancha González
Africa needs both aid and trade
— Arancha González
Trade between two unequal partners
Africa and Europe search for an elusive agreement
No longer a curse?
African leaders take action that could transform the mining sector
There is energy momentum in Africa
— Kandeh Yumkella
Light at the end of the tunnel
Much ado over Africa’s power sector
All eyes on $1 trillion
African agribusiness is set for a huge leap, according to a World Bank report
All eyes on $1 trillion
African agribusiness is set for a huge leap, according to a World Bank report
Giving back to society
African philanthropists push for prosperity
African Peer Review Mechanism comes of age
Countries embracing self-monitoring mechanism to shine light on domestic affairs
A vision of an integrated Africa
— Maged Abdelaziz and Ibrahim Mayaki
A vision of an integrated Africa
— Maged Abdelaziz and Ibrahim Mayaki
A new burst of energy in industrial activity
Reliance on commodities has to stop, says report
Uprooting the causes of conflicts
Momentum in post-conflict peacebuilding in Africa
A seat at the table
African youth demand a say in decision making
Africa’s youth: a “ticking time bomb” or an opportunity?
Leaders awakening to the need for job-creation programmes
Africa Watch
Malian children face education crisis
Reflecting on the brutal Transatlantic Slave Trade
25 March each year is the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, a day to honor the victims of slavery and to raise awareness about the dangers of ongoing racism and prejudice.
China in the heart of Africa
Opportunities and pitfalls in a rapidly expanding relationship
Politics of succession: coping when leaders die
To avoid chaos, countries must follow constitutional procedures
Floods: Stemming the tide in West Africa
More investment needed for prevention programmes
Africa’s economy grows, but many stomachs are empty
Africa Human Development Report stirs debate on food security
Rio summit keeps African hopes alive
Some gains, plus commitments to future sustainable development talks
Tourism in Africa is slowly coming of age
Innovation and better infrastructure can draw more visitors
Tourism in Africa is slowly coming of age
Innovation and better infrastructure can draw more visitors
African economies capture world attention
But huge challenges still lie ahead
Africa Renewal at 25: keeping up with a dynamic continent
UN magazine devoted to Africa’s progress
Malian women create beauty — and profit
Hand-dyed fabrics win praises, capture markets
Malian women create beauty — and profit
Hand-dyed fabrics win praises, capture markets
Africa’s famine response — too little, perhaps too late
‘Africa should not wait’ for others to act
Social media for a social cause
Leading by example, Kenyans mobilize support for drought victims
Peace in Sierra Leone, a project under construction
UN seeks to coordinate support for post-war development
Peace in Sierra Leone, a project under construction
UN seeks to coordinate support for post-war development
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