Minova, a cholera-endemic area in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is experiencing a resurgence of the disease due to the unexpected arrival of more than 120,000 people since February. The number of cases has increased significantly, and the area is now isolated and difficult to access due to flooding, landslides, and armed groups. NGOs and UN agencies are deploying teams to support the emergency response, including setting up safe water distribution points, cholera treatment centers, and awareness-raising activities. Thanks to the efforts of humanitarians and local health workers, the number of cases in the area decreased at the end of March. But given the scale of the task, how long can humanitarian organizations continue to help people in need?

The Zukpuri Community Resource Management Area in Ghana's Upper West Region is a protected area that aims to conserve biodiversity, improve local livelihoods through sustainable practices, and preserve the cultural and medicinal heritage of the region. It was created in 2021 through a partnership between the Upper West Traditional Healer’s Association, rural communities, and traditional authorities, with support from the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project aims to conserve biodiversity, improve local livelihoods through sustainable practices, and preserve the cultural and medicinal heritage of the region.

The climate crisis is causing a vicious circle of vulnerability that makes it harder for affected communities to recover, with women, children, older people and people with disabilities experiencing disproportionate impacts. As participants at COP28 this December discussed ways to accelerate action on mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, and climate finance, we look at how climate change is affecting Eastern and Southern Africa. A third of countries vulnerable to climate change are in Eastern and Southern Africa. The region’s worst drought in recent history left 32 million people facing severe food insecurity. Rising temperatures are linked to deadlier natural disasters and diseases. Shifting weather patterns impact conflict and more.

Apply today to participate in She Wins Africa, an International Finance Corporation initiative that offers training, support, pitching and networking opportunities to help women entrepreneurs access financing and succeed. The program provides investment readiness training, business skills training, pitching and matchmaking opportunities, all critical to helping women-led startups scale up their businesses. She Wins Africa is open to women-led startups operating in sub-Saharan Africa in any sector. Applications close on September 15th, 2023.

“Energy is magic. As simple as that. As we speak, Africa is a dark continent … 600 million people without electricity. But Africa is all energy sources. So, this is a paradox that needs to be broken.”

Cristina Duarte always brings great passion to any task she takes on. Now Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, she works tirelessly to help the continent imagine a better tomorrow, one which not only meets its people’s needs, but also fulfills their dreams.

“The solutions for our challenges are all in Africa. You name it: Energy, Africa, financing for development, Africa, food insecurity, Africa. But for some reason, we still look outside of Africa for those solutions. Why?”

Born to an activist father who was integral to independence movements across Lusophone Africa, Cristina grew up instilled with Pan-African values. In this episode, the former finance minister reflects on her role in reforming Cabo Verde’s economy, on bringing power to remote villages, and how one chance encounter changed her mind about marriage.

Photo credit: ©IFAD/Daniele Bianchi

Africa Day is an annual commemoration of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on 25 May 1963, now the African Union. In 2023, the Pan-African Organization is celebrating its 60th anniversary under the slogan: “Our Africa, Our Future” (#OurAfricaOurFuture). Activities to mark this historical moment will be organized all over the world to showcase major successes, milestones, challenges, and the way forward under Agenda 2063, Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming the continent into the global powerhouse of the future.

Africa’s economic activity is expected to expand by a moderate 2.7% in 2022 and 2.4% in 2023, following a rebound of 5.1% in 2021, according to UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Report 2022.

Two decades ago, Jean Nkeramihigo and Francine Kanyana moved to the commune of Vumbi, in Kirundo, Burundi, in search of land so they could start their own farm and bring up a family. Twenty years later, the couple's life is different from what they hoped for due to climate change. Like other vulnerable families in Kirundo, Jean, Francine and their 12 children rely on humanitarian assistance and paid labour to survive, sometimes with only one meal per day. The couple were among the 40,000 vulnerable people assisted in April 2022 by WFP to help them to meet their basic food needs. 

As the population of cities and urban areas in Africa is set to explode in the coming decades, how can we ensure an adequate supply of water for city dwellers?

The Africa Renewal Podcast is about people, who, through their stories and actions, are advancing hope in Africa. On it you will hear true stories directly from people from within and beyond Africa about the possibilities on the continent.

In the inaugural episode, Joy Kategekwa, a trade law expert who is one of the architects of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), talks about the historic agreement that set the stage for the creation of one single African market for goods and services.

Dr. Joy Kategekwa (Uganda) is the regional strategic advisor to the Assistant Administrator and Director for the Regional Bureau Africa at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

Netflix & UNESCO have launched a groundbreaking competition in Sub-Saharan Africa to find Africa’s next generation of filmmakers.

The Biennale of Luanda is back! And you don't want to miss it. The second edition will put young people front and center and focuses on the prevention of violence and the resolution of conflicts.

The 2021 Africa Dialogue Series (ADS) celebrates the continent’s identity, culture, history and achievements. It also brings together key stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities for Africa under the theme Cultural Identity and Ownership: Reshaping mindsets.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital technologies in African countries, and the latest Africa’s Pulse provides new evidence on how digital is enhancing the productivity of existing jobs and creating new jobs, for people of all skill levels and backgrounds.

The African agricultural and food market is expanding quickly, and regional integration is also gaining momentum. The Framework for Boosting Intra-African Trade in Agricultural Commodities and Services, jointly developed by the African Union (AU) and the FAO, represents a paradigm shift from “business as usual” and translates the commitments undertaken by the AU into tangible programmes and actions to expand trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area. This provides an opportunity to not only boost trade, but also enhance food security in Africa.