Africa Renewal: July 2020
Cover Story
Small businesses in Africa must innovate to survive COVID-19 impact
— Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director, International Trade Centre
Free Trade Area
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
Elections
Gender
Empowered women can unlock Africa’s development dividends
— Zainab Hawa Bangura, Director-General, United Nations Office at Nairobi
‘Women Rise for All’ initiative to shape leadership for COVID-19 response and recovery
Influential women from across the globe examine how their leadership is benefiting all people
Sustainable Development Goals
coronavirus
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
Tourism in Africa: Virtual safaris kick in as countries slowly open to tourists
With millions of jobs lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa’s travel and tourism industry innovates while seeking support to recover
Human Rights
“I will continue fighting FGM to protect women and girls”
— Dr. Morissanda Kouyaté, Mandela Prize Laureate 2020
“It is worth fighting for even one child’s life”
— Mrs. Marianna Vardinoyannis, Mandela Prize Laureate 2020
‘Inequality defines our time’: UN Chief António Guterres' hard-hitting 2020 Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
Held on Mandela’s birthday (18th July) the lecture series invites prominent personalities to discuss major international challenges
“We are delighted with Mandela Prize 2020 laureates”
— South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jerry Matjila
Economic Development
External debt complicates Africa’s COVID-19 recovery, debt relief needed
Calls made for temporary debt standstill for all African countries
Healthcare
“Invest in health systems to beat future pandemics”
— José Fernandes, Emergency Response Nurse, Angola
"COVID-19 is real but let’s keep hope alive,"
— Dr. Nneka Osiegbu, Nigeria
UN Affairs
South African rugby star Siya Kolisi named UN Global Advocate for Spotlight Initiative
Announced on Mandela Day, he will help tackle violence against women
Podcast
