Executive Boards of Six United Nations entities conclude joint field visit to Egypt, highlighting sustainable development advancements
CAIRO, Egypt – A delegation of 17 Member State representatives from the Executive Boards of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/UN Population Fund (UNFPA)/UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the World Food Programme (WFP) concluded a five-day joint field visit in Egypt from 26 to 30 October. Such missions, which take place annually, enable members of the Executive Boards to review how the United Nations agencies are working together, with local authorities and civil society to advance a country’s national sustainable development priorities, and in some instances to respond to humanitarian crises, consistent with their mandates.
New TERRA programme boosts small and medium agrifood companies’ access to credit
Launched by the European Union, Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and FAO, Transforming and Empowering Resilient and Responsible Agribusiness strengthens local financial institutions’ lending abilities in Africa and Türkiye.
Press releases African Union and United Nations Reaffirm Partnership for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. António Guterres, today co-chaired the Ninth African Union–United Nations Annual Conference at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
World Bank Supports First Program-for-Results in South Africa to Boost Urban Service Delivery
PRETORIA, November 7 , 2025 — The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved the South Africa Metro Trading Services Program, the first-ever Program-for-Results (PforR) operation in the country. This landmark program aims to improve the accountability, financial health, and operational performance of essential urban services in the country’s eight largest metropolitan municipalities.
Republic of Korea and WFP launch USD 1.2 million sustainable agriculture and green jobs project in Rwanda
Kigali, Rwanda– The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today signed a grant arrangement worth USD 1.2 million to support sustainable agriculture and youth employment in Rwanda’s Gatsibo District. A signing ceremony took place in Kigali, with Jinhwa Kim, KOICA Country Director, and Kaori Ura, WFP Rwanda Deputy Country Director.
WHO and the European Union launch collaboration to advance digitized health systems in sub-Saharan Africa
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union (EU) announced today a new agreement to support the digital transformation of health systems and wider adoption of WHO’s Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN) in sub-Saharan Africa. This EU–WHO partnership will improve pandemic preparedness and accelerate progress towards better health and well-being for all.
AGOA expiry impact on African export diversification
Since its launch in May 2000, AGOA has supported sub-Saharan African exports to the US through preferential access. However, the recent expiry of the scheme would threaten export diversification and industrialization across the continent. In a country like Lesotho, for instance, approximately one third of exports are tied to AGOA, predominantly in the apparel sector, which employs between 30,000 and 40,000 workers, primarily women.
Sub-Saharan Africa Maintains Resilient Growth but Faces Urgent Jobs Challenge
WASHINGTON, October 7, 2025 – Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy remains resilient, with growth projected to reach 3.8 percent in 2025, up from 3.5 percent in 2024. This acceleration reflects easing inflationary pressures and a modest recovery of investment despite persistent global economic uncertainty.
Signs of Improvement in the Economic Outlook for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan Region
WASHINGTON, October 7, 2025 – The latest World Bank economic report on the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (MENAAP) points to an improved economic outlook for the region, with expected growth reaching 2.8 percent in 2025 and 3.3 percent in 2026. However, global uncertainty, trade policy shifts, and continued conflict and displacement all pose possible risks.
Positive Economic Momentum in Nigeria, Now Time to Bring Home the Gains
Abuja, Nigeria, October 8, 2025 - Nigeria has taken important steps toward stabilizing its economy through recent policy reforms, but more needs to be done to ensure these gains translate into better living standards for its citizens, according to the latest Nigeria Development Update (NDU) released by the World Bank today.
Titled “From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home,” the report notes progress in economic growth, domestic revenue mobilization, monetary policy, and external balances—while underscoring persistent challenges such as high food inflation, widespread poverty, and structural barriers that constrain inclusive growth.