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American Tower Corporation (ATC) Nigeria Partners with ProFuturo Foundation to Transform Educational Landscape in Nigeria through Digital Innovation and Technology
American Tower Corporation (ATC) Nigeria Partners with ProFuturo Foundation to Transform Educational Landscape in Nigeria through Digital Innovation and Technology

Initially focused on 11 schools in three States –Kano, Kebbi and Tarabata– the partnership is expected to directly benefit over 5,600 children and 34 teachers, even in areas with limited connectivity
The partnership is expected to directly benefit over 5,600 children and educators from 11 schools from three states in the country.

This collaboration in Nigeria is a key part of a global partnership between American Tower and ProFuturo Foundation focused on reducing gaps in access, use and quality of educational resources in seven countries in Africa and Latin America.

ATC Nigeria (www.AmericanTower.com), a leading provider of telecommunications infrastructure, and ProFuturo Foundation, a global initiative for educational innovation through technology, established by the Telefónica Foundation and the “la Caixa” Foundation, are proud to announce their partnership with the Kukah Centre to collaborate under the ProFuturo Program in Nigeria. This collaboration will facilitate the distribution of kits, each one containing a computer, tablets, router, projector, and other essential components, which will enhance digital access and learning opportunities for students.

At ATC Nigeria, we are proud to support this impactful collaboration, which brings digital tools directly into classrooms

Through its Digital Communities program, which provides digitally connected, technology-equipped spaces offering digital literacy and education for youth, financial education and vocational training for adults, and healthcare services, ATC Nigeria believes that this partnership with ProFuturo will reach youths and students across the country.

The initiative and signing between ATC Nigeria and ProFuturo Foundation, where local authorities were present, underscores the commitment of both organizations to address the educational digital divide. Its goal is to enhance the understanding of vulnerable school contexts to promote innovative teaching practices more effectively and to strengthen the digital transformation of education.

Pieter Van Der Westhuizen, CEO of ATC Nigeria, praised the initiative, stating: “At ATC Nigeria, we are proud to support this impactful collaboration, which brings digital tools directly into classrooms. Through our collaboration with the ProFuturo Foundation, our Digital Communities program is expanding access to technology and equipping the next generation with the skills they need to thrive in a digital world.”

Magdalena Brier, General Manager of ProFuturo Foundation, celebrates this agreement that “reinforces the commitment of the two organizations against the digital divide and the education gap. The alliance between ProFuturo Foundation and American Tower is a big step to improve educational opportunities for the most vulnerable. We are very honored with their support for what we have been doing since 2016 and I continually think about each of the teachers, boys and girls who will benefit, because, together, we are going to contribute to transform their lives.”

Initially focused on 11 schools in three States –Kano, Kebbi and Tarabata– the partnership is expected to directly benefit over 5,600 children and 34 teachers, even in areas with limited connectivity. By equipping schools with these kits, the initiative aims to bridge educational disparities generated by the digital divide. The kits are designed to enrich the learning experience, support interactive teaching methods, and provide students with access to a wealth of digital educational content.
July 15, 2025
Sudan: Humanitarian needs deepen amid rising hostilities and heavy rains.

Sudan: Humanitarian needs deepen amid rising hostilities and heavy rains.

Escalating violence, displacement and heavy rains are deepening the needs of civilians caught in the war in Sudan, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said on Monday

Nearly 27 months have passed since fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and a former ally, the paramilitary Rapid Security Forces (RSF), creating an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

The UN voiced grave alarm over escalating hostilities in El Fasher, the besieged capital of North Darfur state.

Serious risk of renewed violence

Large numbers of RSF fighters reportedly entered the city on Friday for the first time since the siege began over a year ago.

Local sources report that recent fierce fighting, particularly in the southwest and east of El Fasher, has led to civilian casualties.

“The situation remains highly volatile and unpredictable, with a serious risk of renewed violence, as well as further displacement and disruption of humanitarian operations – which are already under severe strain,” OCHA said.

Insecurity in North Kordofan state

Meanwhile, in North Kordofan State, growing insecurity forced 3,400 people to flee their homes over the weekend, according to the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Local reports indicate that at least 18 civilians were killed, and homes were burned in several villages.

OCHA reminded all parties that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international humanitarian law, and that civilians must be protected at all times.

Rainy season constraints

Meanwhile, heavy rains have been reported in West and Central Darfur states, which may affect road conditions in some locations and worsen the challenges humanitarians are already facing in accessing people in need.

“With the rainy season continuing through October, the risk of floods, access constraints and disease outbreaks is growing – especially during this critical lean season, a time between harvests when food stocks traditionally run low,” OCHA warned.

Families return to West Darfur

The agency said that despite the crisis, signs of small-scale returns are visible in West Darfur state, where displaced families have been returning from Chad to three localities – Sirba, Jebel Moon and Kulbus – to cultivate their farms.

Furthermore, local authorities report about 40 people returning daily to Kulbus, with 300 arriving over the past week.

OCHA urged all parties to enable safe and unimpeded access to all people in need across Sudan, and for donors to step up their support.

Some 30 million people nationwide – more than half the population – need vital aid and protection this year.

July 15, 2025
Ghana: Africa’s Reparations call now a unified demand- President Mahama

Ghana: Africa’s Reparations call now a unified demand- President Mahama.

The former Ghanaian President noted the deep connection between reparations and African identity and dignity.

“Africa’s call for reparative justice is no longer a whisper—it is a unified demand grounded in historical truth, moral clarity and our unwavering commitment to dignity. As we implement the 2025 Theme of the Year on Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through reparations, we reaffirm our shared resolve to correct historical wrongs and injustices through restitution, healing and holistic systemic transformation.”

This powerful declaration was made by H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana and the African Union Champion for Reparations, as he delivered a progress report in Malabo on the AU’s 2025 Theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.”

Addressing the 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, President Mahama stated that notable progress has been achieved by the AU Commission and Member States in implementing the theme.

He expressed particular satisfaction with the recent decision by the Executive Council to extend the focus on reparations for a decade, covering the period from 2026 to 2036.

“This undoubtedly affords us, as a Union, the opportunity to sustain the momentum for the realization of this noble cause, as well as map out well-thought-out strategies to mobilize adequate resources to champion implementation of the theme domestically,” President Mahama stated.

President Mahama issued a call for global partnership, saying, “We call upon all nations, within and beyond Africa, to partner with us in shaping a more just and equitable world for the sons and daughters of the motherland.”

The former Ghanaian President noted the deep connection between reparations and African identity and dignity.

“Restitution to the African, therefore, is restoration of our full human dignity,” he stated, adding that the movement aims “to speak of history on African terms, of healing deep civilizational wounds and of restoring to African peoples our rightful agency in shaping our past, present and future.”

He underscored the necessity of reparations for African progress and unity, arguing, “We cannot speak of development without identity or speak of unity without acknowledging the erasure that has fractured our heritage.”

President Mahama stressed the importance of a unified African narrative on the global stage and encouraged robust partnerships, particularly with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Looking ahead, he announced that Ghana and Togo will co-sponsor a high-level event in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2025 “to further bolster efforts at achieving the justice and closure which has eluded us for centuries.”

“As we do more to correct historical wrongs, we are reasserting our full humanity. We are reaffirming our sovereignty. We are reigniting the flame of dignity that has always burned within the African soul,” assuring the Union of Ghana’s continued support for this agenda towards “The Africa We Want.”

July 15, 2025
Southern Youth to United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL): Improving the economy and security are priorities
Southern Youth to United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL): Improving the economy and security are priorities

Participants stressed the need for representation for the south in any mechanism or institution, highlighting that they suffer through economic instability and insecurity across borders and do not benefit from oil money
Thirty-four youth from across the south of Libya joined Deputy Special Representative for the Secretary General Stephanie Koury in an online youth consultation Wednesday to discuss their opinions on the Advisory Committee’s recommendations.

The event is part of broader consultations to gather feedback from the public on the next steps of the political process. UNSMIL has also launched an online poll inviting Libyans to share options on the Advisory Committee’s recommendations and contribute to shaping the way forward in the political process.

Participants stressed the need for representation for the south in any mechanism or institution, highlighting that they suffer through economic instability and insecurity across borders and do not benefit from oil money.

The youth all agreed that the deteriorating economic situation was closely linked to the security situation and one could not be solved without addressing the other. They highlighted that they wanted stability and security and their voices to be heard in representative forums.

“We suffer from weak infrastructure with power cuts during 50-degree heat,” said one participant from Ghat. “We are deprived of basic services. We need to focus on these things, not a constitution.”

The economic situation is so bad, another participant from Ghat said, that it’s impacting the security situation. “This is why people are making their livelihoods from selling weapons,” they said. “We need to have a clear economic plan,” said a participant from Sebha. “We need to end the sources of corruption.”

A participant from Ubari called for transitional periods to end. “Through the years and different governments, our divisions have only increased,” said a participant from Sebha, adding that the best way forward was to have a referendum.

When discussing elections, the youth expressed distrust in the national authorities’ ability to oversee elections and in the democratic process overall. One spoke of how votes had been bought; people he knew sold their voter cards in the previous elections.

DSRSG Koury briefed participants on the four options put forward by the Advisory Committee in May. As outlined in the  Executive Summary of the Advisory Committee’s report,  the options include:

Conducting presidential and legislative elections simultaneously;

Conducting parliamentary elections first, followed by the adoption of a permanent constitution;

Adopting a permanent constitution before elections; or

Establishing a political dialogue forum, based on the Libyan Political Agreement to finalize electoral laws, executive authority and permanent constitution.

Many of the participants who joined favoured option four saying that this was the only option that ended the current cycle of entities that they felt did not represent them or the people of Libya.

UNSMIL stressed that youth voices were crucial to the political process and that it intended to continue with its YouEngage outreach efforts.

All participants were encouraged to complete UNSMIL’s online poll [link] and share it with their friends and families to ensure community voices are heard.
July 12, 2025
Harnessing data and digital tools to strengthen social protection.

Harnessing data and digital tools to strengthen social protection

Long viewed as a fallback for hard times, social protection is now being reimagined as a driver of resilience. With rising costs, widening inequality, and fragile economies, governments are searching for ways to make every policy choice count.

These challenges brought policymakers from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific to Livingstone, Zambia, from 8 to 10 July, where they focused on targeted refinements and applied approaches to strengthen social protection.

The gathering centered on hands-on methods: tools, data, and policy strategies that help governments respond to poverty, economic shocks, and climate threats with greater precision. It formed part of a broader UN effort to promote universal, adaptive, and inclusive social protection systems worldwide.

Zambia, the host, is contending with drought-linked hunger and soaring living costs. The Maldives faces logistical hurdles in delivering services across 187 dispersed islands. Tanzania is navigating population pressures, youth unemployment, and informality. Each delegation brought its own realities, but the drive for smarter systems was shared.

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) introduced a suite of empirical tools, including ECA’s multidimensional poverty dashboard and ESCAP’s evidence-based targeting models, to help governments sharpen decisions using locally relevant data.

Christian Oldiges, Chief of Social Policy at ECA, described the tool as a bridge between data and delivery. “It shows not just where the poor are, but what kind of poverty they face, and how existing schemes measure up.”

Selahattin Selsah Pasali, Social Affairs Officer at ESCAP, said member states such as Cambodia and the Maldives value the tools’ flexibility and training support, “which helps localize and institutionalize them.” Many, he noted, are now considering a shit from survey data to administrative records to better design policies and estimate costs.

Namibia shared progress digitizing its social grant system. Malawi, a global champion for the Social Protection Accelerator, is rolling out a new policy rooted in a lifecycle approach that addresses risks across age groups.

Tanzania is widening its model too. Frank Kilimba from the Office of the Prime Minister said: “We’re expanding beyond contribution-based systems to ensure broader coverage, especially for informal and rural populations.”

Rwanda was among the countries exchanging experiences. Ariane Mugisha, Chief Digital Officer in the Local Government Sector, said the sessions on social registries and data integration offered key insights into building adaptive systems. Her colleague Joel Murenzi, Social Protection Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Local Government, highlighted the importance of learning from others’ approaches to expanding coverage and adjusting benefit levels in line with inflation.

Behind the mix of countries, organizers said, was an intentional effort to draw from diverse settings. “We brought together small island states like the Maldives and middle-income countries like Namibia with least developed economies such as Malawi and Zambia,” said Amson Sibanda, Chief of Service at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). “Their challenges differ, but their commitment to reform creates a space for grounded exchange.”

That reality, said Mamusa Siyunyi, Social Affairs Officer at ECA, makes targeted support all the more essential. “It’s not just the triple crisis of food, fuel and finance,” she said. “It’s demographic pressure, climate risk, and limited fiscal space. Countries need support that’s relevant and usable.”

Several delegates requested additional training and ongoing technical assistance. Others stressed the need to bridge institutional divides that hinder implementation.

“We have the data, but making it useful means working across silos,” said Hudha Haleem of the Maldives Bureau of Statistics. “The big takeaway for me was how collaboration between data producers and programme implementers can make systems more responsive and inclusive.”

Fathimath Nisha Fahmy from the Maldives Pension Office agreed, adding that geographic realities demand precise, adaptive systems. “Using real-time data to target and adapt social protection is critical for countries like ours, spread across many islands.”

Mr. Sibanda underscored the need to match innovation with institutional readiness. “We always say that policymakers should be able to leverage the science-policy interface to make good decisions and future-proof their strategies,” he said. “But for that to happen, public institutions need the capacity to harness these tools and understand both their benefits and potential pitfalls.”

As countries prepare for a series of global forums on social development, the Livingstone meeting formed part of a wider push to build systems that are better designed, better resourced, and better able to reach those most at risk.

“Policymakers don’t just need inspiration,” said Mr. Oldiges. “They need proof points, blueprints, and allies. That’s what we came here to build.”

The three-day interregional workshop was organized by UN DESA, ECA, and ESCAP in collaboration with the government of Zambia. It brought together officials from eight countries across Africa and Asia-Pacific with a shared aim to build smarter, more resilient social protection systems that lift people sustainably, not just catch them when they fall.

July 12, 2025
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) strengthens its strategy to make West Africa a world tourist destination of choice.

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) strengthens its strategy to make West Africa a world tourist destination of choice.

The Director General of the Standards Agency of the Republic of Benin, Mohamed Nazif El-Hadji Alassane, representing Benin’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Mrs. Alimatou Shadiya Assouman, welcomed ECOWAS’ efforts to harmonise standards and regulations in the tourism sector.

ECOWAS Commission has launched a four-day technical meeting 2025 in Cotonou, Benin. This meeting brings together experts from Member States to examine six draft classification standards for tourist accommodation establishments. The standards, drawn up on the basis of various workshops organized as part of the ECOWAS tourism policy (ECOTOUR), concern hotels, motels, inns, ecolodges, aparthotels and holiday villages. The event is jointly organized by the private sector and industry directorates.

In her opening speech, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, represented by the Director of the Private Sector, Dr. Tony Luka Elumelu, recalled ECOWAS’s ambition to make tourism a major lever for economic development and regional integration. She affirmed that the region is striving to build a flourishing tourism industry, drawing on international best practice adapted to the West African context, with the aim of making it a world tourist destination of choice.

She emphasised that this strategy is based on five closely linked pillars: strengthening infrastructure, including investment in transport, accommodation and tourist attractions; relaxing regional visa policies for third-country nationals to improve accessibility, streamline procedures and foster greater people-to-people diplomacy; the harmonisation of sectoral standards and regulations to facilitate travel, trade and enhance the overall tourism experience; the promotion of sustainable tourism practices that ensure an environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable industry; and collaboration and partnerships between stakeholders in the sector to pool expertise, share knowledge and develop effective solutions to common challenges.

She stressed the importance of implementing a coherent, collaborative and sustainable approach to tourism in order to stimulate national economies, strengthen cultural exchanges and ensure the sustainability of the sector. In reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to responsible tourism practices, she emphasised the need to minimise the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, local cultures and host communities, and stressed the importance of implementing a coherent, collaborative and sustainable approach to tourism in order to stimulate national economies, strengthen cultural exchanges and ensure the sustainability of the sector. In reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to responsible tourism practices, she emphasised the need to minimise the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, local cultures and host communities.

The Director General of the Standards Agency of the Republic of Benin, Mohamed Nazif El-Hadji Alassane, representing Benin’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Mrs Alimatou Shadiya Assouman, welcomed ECOWAS’ efforts to harmonise standards and regulations in the tourism sector. He stressed that this will help to transform the region into a single tourism market, while boosting tourism, employment and public revenue, with positive spin-offs for the economies of Member States.

July 12, 2025
World Music and Tourism Festival: A Celebration of Culture and Development.

World Music and Tourism Festival: A Celebration of Culture and Development.

The inaugural World Music and Tourism Festival in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, promises to be a groundbreaking event. Here are some additional highlights:
– Cultural Significance: The festival will showcase Congolese Rumba, a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage, and its impact on identity, tourism, and community development.
– Diverse Programming: The event will feature a range of activities, including performances, roundtable discussions, workshops, and cultural exhibitions.
– Global Partnerships: The festival has brought together partners from around the world, including UNESCO, ARIPO, Sony Music Entertainment, and Sound Diplomacy.
– Keynote Speakers: Renowned experts and thought leaders will share insights on topics such as musical diplomacy, cultural tourism, and creative economy.
– Networking Opportunities: The festival provides a platform for stakeholders from governments, organizations, and the music industry to connect, collaborate, and explore new opportunities.
– Economic Impact: The event is expected to contribute to the local economy and promote sustainable tourism development in the region.
– Cultural Exchange: The festival will celebrate the diversity of cultures and promote cross-cultural understanding and exchange.
By celebrating music and tourism as drivers of dialogue and development, the World Music and Tourism Festival aims to make a lasting impact on the cultural and economic landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond.

July 11, 2025
Nigeria: Violence and widespread displacement leave Benue facing a humanitarian disaster
Nigeria: Violence and widespread displacement leave Benue facing a humanitarian disaster

As of 31 December 2024, an estimated 500,182 people had fled to IDPs camps in Benue state to escape years of attacks by gunmen
At least 510,182 internally displaced people (IDPs) across Benue state

Dire conditions in IDP camps

Children and pregnant women amongst most vulnerable

The Nigerian authorities must take urgent steps to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in the central state of Benue where attacks by gunmen have displaced at least 500,000 people, many of whom are languishing in squalid camps without access to sufficient water, poor sanitation, food and healthcare, Amnesty International said today.

In the most recent attack on 14 June, gunmen raided the town of Yelewata, killing more than 100 people and forcing over 3,941 more to flee their homes. The smell of decomposing bodies hung in the air during a visit to the affected community by Amnesty International in the aftermath of the attacks. Signs of the recent violence were unmistakable with bullet shells littering the ground, and mass graves that had been newly dug to bury the dead.

Survivors were seen carrying bags of grain, bundles of firewood and other household items as they sought safety and shelter in camps for internally displaced persons (IDP). According to interviews with IDPs in Gwer West, Agatu, Ukum, Kwande, Logo, Guma and Makurdi IDP camps, as well as a makeshift IDP camp at Makurdi Modern Market, communities who come under attack are often left to fend for themselves with security forces only arriving long after the gunmen had left.

“The Nigerian authorities have failed the people of Benue state again and again. Rampant attacks by gunmen have deprived thousands of people of their rights to life, physical integrity, liberty, freedom of movement and access to livelihoods. Survivors of these harrowing attacks face the fresh torment of being displaced in overcrowded, unhygienic camps where disease runs rampant and essentials such as food and clean water are scarce,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

“The situation risks creating a humanitarian disaster, which the authorities must urgently address by ensuring that people’s essential needs are met by providing desperately needed aid.”

Besides interviews with IDPs, Amnesty International also spoke to camps officials, medical workers and non-governmental organizations in the affected areas. It found that communities across Benue state, including Gwer West, Gwer-East, Agatu, Apa, Ukum, Kwande, Logo,and Guma, continue to face a brutal pattern of violence.

This is typically unleashed at night, although daytime attacks also occur, with gunmen systematically overrunning villages, using firearms to carry out indiscriminate or targeted killings from a distance. This is accompanied by brutal close-range violence with machetes and knives used to inflict grievous injuries, including hand amputations.

Misery of the IDP camps

As of 31 December 2024, an estimated 500,182 people had fled to IDPs camps in Benue state to escape years of attacks by gunmen. More than 10,000 additional people have been displaced since the start of 2025 following attacks on communities in Gwer West, Agatu, Ukum (Gbagir), Kwande (Anwase), Logo, and Guma (Yelewata, Agan, and Gbajimba), among others.

Amnesty International’s visits to IDP camps reveal wholly inadequate shelter, exposing IDPs to harsh weather, overcrowding, and heightened risks of disease, as well as gender-based violence, including rape and domestic violence.

Access to healthcare is also a major challenge in the IDP camps with a lack of treatment for the most common diseases and ailments, such as malaria, typhoid, and stomach ulcers. According to a camp official, births occur almost daily in the IDP camps, with many pregnant women requiring medical attention but also contracting infections because of inadequate hygiene facilities.

An IDP told Amnesty International: “If we don’t get drugs, we just sit and watch the sick person helplessly.”

Many children are unable to exercise their right to an education in the camps.

“Our children no longer go to school and there are no arrangements by the authorities to teach children in the IDP camp. The government should bring an end to insecurity in our local government area and Benue state. Before that, provide us with food and proper shelter at the IDP camps,” an IDP told Amnesty International.

A camp official told Amnesty International that a makeshift school built in one of the camps had been shut down for over three years because camp authorities could not continue paying ad-hoc teachers their stipends.

There are hundreds of minors who fled their homes due to attacks and now live without parental care. The children were separated from their families while fleeing attacks on their villages and communities. The authorities have been unable to provide these vulnerable children with a safe place to live and essential services. Two female IDPs told Amnesty International:

“When we arrived, they [my children] left. I do not know where they have gone. I can’t speak with them; I don’t have a phone….I have 8 children and because we do not have enough space here in the IDP camp, many of them have left me and I do not know where they are.”

Amnesty International is calling on the Nigerian authorities to take immediate steps to provide sufficient and accessible humanitarian support to the survivors of these attacks. Authorities must take steps to domesticate and effectively implement the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons within the country’s legal system.

“The authorities’ persistent failure to hold suspected perpetrators to account is fueling a cycle of impunity that is making everyone feel unsafe. Authorities must now end the growing culture of impunity for these attacks.”

“We call on the authorities to ensure that all people displaced because of the attacks in Benue state are provided with adequate relief, including protection, shelter, food, clean water, sanitation and healthcare. Authorities must ensure that all people who have suffered losses from the crisis are also provided with adequate compensation,” said Isa Sanusi.

Background

Amnesty International Nigeria has been monitoring the escalating bandit attacks and clashes between herders and farmers in Benue state since 2016. In 2020, the organization investigated the authorities’ failure to protect rural communities from attacks, and in 2025, it investigated the mounting death toll and looming humanitarian crisis amid unchecked attacks by armed groups.

Nigeria is state party to a number of treaties that guarantee the human rights of everybody in the country regardless of the circumstances. This includes the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which requires Nigerian authorities to ensure equal access to amongst others the rights to housing, health, food, water, sanitation and education.
July 10, 2025
Health leaders commit to accelerate action against severe chronic diseases in Africa

Health leaders, policymakers and development partners across Africa have renewed commitment to accelerate the implementation of the PEN-Plus strategy to significantly expand access to care for severe noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).Held under the theme “Advancing Implementation of PEN-Plus for Severe NCDs in Africa: Technical Innovations, Operational Insights, and Scalable Solutions,” the second International Conference for PEN-Plus in Africa served as a crucial follow-up to the inaugural 2024 gathering in Dar es Salaam. This year’s meeting focused on reviewing country-level progress, sharing operational experiences, and strengthening the technical foundation for the strategy’s scale-up.

Hosted by the Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) in the African region and other partners including The Leone M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, the three-day event provided a platform for NCD stakeholders and policy makers to develop actionable recommendations countries can use to accelerate PEN-Plus implementation and draft country-specific strategies to sustain and expand PEN-Plus, an innovative healthcare delivery model birthed in Africa.

“In the last couple of years, global attention has shifted to NCDs because of the morbidity and mortality from these diseases. This conference marks a pivotal moment in our collective efforts to combat the growing burden of NCDs in Africa,” said Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Nigeria’s Honorable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare. “PEN-Plus addresses a critical gap in healthcare for the world’s poorest billion. By scaling up the model, we can ensure that lifesaving care reaches those who need it most, regardless of their location.”

In 2022, WHO in Africa set ambitious goals to have 50% of Member States rolling out PEN-Plus services to district hospitals by the year 2025, 65% by 2028, and 70% by 2030. PEN-Plus offers a promising approach to tackle the growing burden of severe chronic diseases. The model equips district and community hospitals with a specialized team of mid-level healthcare providers, such as clinical officers and nurses, specifically trained to manage severe complex NCD conditions.

Since its adoption by African Member States, the implementation of the model has shown promising results in Liberia, Malawi and Rwanda, with a significant increase in the number of people accessing treatment for severe noncommunicable diseases and improvements in health.

Twenty countries have since increased access to services for severe chronic disease such as type 1 diabetes, sickle-cell disease and rheumatic and congenital heart diseases. In addition to training local experts on severe NCD care, the services provided through PEN-Plus are free of charge – helping to reduce the significant financial burden on families caring for children living with severe chronic diseases.

“PEN-Plus has not only improved patient outcomes in implementing countries, but it has also strengthened health systems by providing training, mentorship, and referral pathways,” said Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “It is now time to scale up the model and bring lifesaving care to the people who need it most”

Despite this progress, participants at the ICPPA conference noted that scaling up the model requires more investments by countries. Previous implementing countries assessments underscored the urgency to improve the availability of critical medications like insulin and diagnostic equipment in district hospitals. Participants also stressed the “grossly inequitable access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care” for severe NCDs conditions, particularly in rural areas where healthcare services are severely limited.

A key highlight of the meeting was the finalization of the African Agenda for the upcoming United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on NCDs in September 2025. The agenda outlines Africa’s priorities, commitments and expectations for the global stage, with PEN-Plus positioned as a central pillar in the region’s response to severe NCDs.

“Scaling up and investing in PEN-Plus will save and improve millions of lives and take the continent a step towards ending diseases and achieving global health goals Scaling up PEN-Plus to address NCDs burden in Africa requires adequate and sustained resources,” said James Reid, Programme Officer at the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “By working together and pledging the necessary resources, countries can drive collective action to improve health and quality of life for millions of people around the world.

With support from Helmsley Charitable Trust, and collaboration of the NCDI Poverty Network, the WHO Regional Office for Africa has been supporting countries to provide technical expertise and guidance to countries on various aspects of the PEN-Plus programme, developing training materials, supporting assessment, conducting supervisory visits to identify challenges at implementing facilities, coordinating partners and co- organizing platforms such as the ICPPA for countries to share and learn from successful PEN-Plus models.

July 10, 2025
African Cities Advance Fiscal Reforms to Boost Development

African Cities Advance Fiscal Reforms to Boost Development

On July 8, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, six African cities—Nairobi, Lusaka, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Kigali, and Yaoundé—highlighted progress in fiscal reforms under the DA-15 project, a collaborative effort by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), UN-Habitat, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). The initiative, discussed at a side event during the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, aims to strengthen urban financial systems to support the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.

Nairobi’s Deputy Governor James Muchiri reported a revenue increase of one billion shillings last year, following a similar rise the year prior. Lusaka’s Mayor Chilando Chitangala emphasized improved revenue collection and accountability systems to address longstanding leakages. The DA-15 project conducted financial assessments, identifying gaps in revenue, expenditure, and investment planning while highlighting reform opportunities.

ECA’s Fiscal Space Performance and Monitoring Dashboard, a digital tool, enables cities to track real-time fiscal indicators like liquidity and revenue efficiency, promoting transparency and informed decision-making. Hana Morsy, ECA’s Deputy Executive Secretary, underscored its role in enhancing accountability and fiscal health.

Both Nairobi and Lusaka stressed the importance of local capacity and political will. Muchiri aims to reduce reliance on central government transfers by building robust revenue systems, while Chitangala hopes to share Lusaka’s gains with other Zambian cities. Morsy urged governments and partners to invest in local financial systems, positioning cities as leaders rather than beneficiaries. Atkeyelsh Persson, ECA’s Chief of Urbanization and Development, emphasized scaling these capacity gains to other cities across Kenya, Zambia, and beyond.

July 8, 2025