I am particularly excited about the recent Drive for Data-Powered Social Protection Systems held in Livingstone, Zambia; an initiative that reflects UNECA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the evidence base for social protection across the continent. It is projects like these that fuel my eagerness to continue contributing to solutions that leave no one behind, especially in a region where poverty is multifaceted and requires innovative, data-driven interventions.

Being part of this process by supporting research, shaping narratives, and contributing to policies aimed at transforming lives has been both an inspiring and humbling experience. I remain passionate about the possibilities that lie ahead, not just for my personal growth, but for the future of Africa where policies are powered by data, and every person matters.

You can read more about the Livingstone initiative here: https://intranet.uneca.org/ecanews/livingstone-hosts-drive-data-powered-social-protection-systems

*** “THE NEXT LOGICAL PROGRESSION”** “Landmark” “Milestone, “Ambitious” “Comprehensive agreement” “Game changer” “” are but a few of the descriptive words and phrases that have been used in the regional integration conversation and discussions, to describe the relevance and transformative nature of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in promoting intra-African trade. For example, UNECA’s Economic Report on Africa (2025) highlights that the accelerated implementation of the AfCFTA could increase Africa’s GDP by US$141 billion and boost intra-African trade by US$276 billion. This expected positive impact is further propelled by the current trade developments that are calling for the Continent to accelerate the implementation of the agreement in a bid to open-up alternative markets for sectors that have been severely affected by the recent trade tariffs by the US. It is against this scenario that a critical question arises, should Africa limit its focus on the creation of a Continental Free Trade Area or begin efforts to chart a path towards becoming a customs union or even common market?

The answers or some of the answers to this question are in the 11th edition of the Assessing Regional Integration in Africa “Delivering on the African Economic Community: Towards an African Continental Customs Union and African Continental Common Market”. This theme reflects the next logical progression for the Continent after fully implementing the AfCFTA. ARIA XI, will be launched soon, during the 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, 12 July 2025

It is exciting to witness ECA once again taking the lead in driving a forward-looking conversation, one that not only addresses the challenges and insights related to regional integration but also explores the theoretical foundations of a Customs Union and Common Market, along with the institutional and governance capacities needed to realize them. Much like its early efforts in the early 2000s that helped initiate the journey toward the African Continental Free Trade Area—which is now a reality. ECA is setting the stage for Africa’s next phase of integration.

Will share a link for the ARIA XI Report- for an in-depth reading- when it is available. ERA 2025 https://www.uneca.org/economic-report-on-africa-2025

Over the last few days, I’ve been participating in a course by ITU Academy on Climate Change and the Mobile Industry. The course is designed for telecom policymakers and regulators, especially in emerging and developing markets, to explore how the sector can respond to the climate crisis in a meaningful way.

As part of our learning, we engaged with The Climate Game, an interactive simulation developed by The Financial Times, in partnership with Infosys, and grounded in real science using models from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the MAGICC climate model.

While the game is not a perfect simulation, it challenges us to make policy decisions, invest in technologies, and balance development priorities, all in the race to reach net zero by 2050. It was an eye-opener and a reminder of how difficult, yet urgent, these choices are.

Try the game here: https://ig.ft.com/climate-game/

I’d love to hear from fellow professionals, especially those working in and with Africa:

What results did you get? What surprised you the most? How do you think we can accelerate climate action in African countries? What role should telecom, tech, and policy innovation play in this?

Let’s learn from each other, drop your thoughts in the comments section!

Internet shutdowns are often seen as political tools, but their economic toll is just as severe. In my latest piece for the World Economic Forum, I explore how these disruptions are quietly draining Africa’s economy, threatening digital trade, SMEs, and long-term development.

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/06/how-internet-shutdowns-drain-african-economies/

What does it mean when the internet goes dark, not just for freedom of expression but also for livelihoods and markets? Here, I unpack recent data, real examples, and legal precedents and offer pathways forward.

I’d love to hear your thoughts; feel free to comment, share, or reach out.

As the Seville Conference on Financing for Development starts today, I can’t stop thinking about one truth: Africa must stop adapting itself to finance and start shaping finance to serve its own future.

It is not enough to ask “how do we bring in more money?” We must ask: who decides where it flows? Into what sectors? Under what terms? With what vision?

The money must meet the mission!!!!!

The continent does not need just more aid or more loans. It needs better-aligned, strategic, long-term investment that respects its agency and accelerates its ambitions.

This is the kind of shift I hope Seville 2025 will ignite. Because when Africa leads its own development story, finance will follow, not the other way around.

There is a lot of talk on how (possibly) Africa could benefit from the reduced (or eliminated) tariffs on African Imports.

However, do you think Africa is ready to benefit from this? and to what extent? Considering quality requirements conditions.

Is this another missed opportunity or an information shock that could induce structural transformation( labour shifting from low value-added to higher value added sectors)?

Dear colleagues and fellows,

As many of you closely follow the evolving digital policy landscape, I wanted to share key reflections from the recently adopted Cotonou Declaration on Accelerating Africa’s Digital Transformation, which emerged from the African WSIS+20 Review Summit (May 2025, Benin).

This declaration stands out as one of Africa's most structured, comprehensive, and forward-looking commitments to digital transformation in recent years. Some core elements I believe deserve special attention:

Bridging Infrastructure Gaps: Ambitious targets to achieve 95% broadband coverage in leading countries by 2030, while tackling the persistent issue of high mobile data costs across the continent.

Moving Beyond Digital Access: A shift towards advanced capacity-building, integrating AI, IoT, Big Data, and Quantum Computing into national curricula, addressing both foundational and frontier digital skills.

Strengthening Governance & Regulation: Clear calls for developing adaptive AI governance frameworks, cross-border data harmonisation, and robust cybersecurity standards.

Commitment to Measurable Progress: The introduction of an Africa Digital Performance Index and Ministerial Peer Reviews to ensure transparency, benchmarking, and shared learning across Member States.

Linkage to Global Processes: The Declaration explicitly reinforces Africa’s engagement with WSIS, the IGF, and the GDC, ensuring Africa’s voice remains influential in shaping global digital norms.

In my view, this is not just a declaration, it is a blueprint for operationalising Africa’s digital ambitions, with a heavy emphasis on differentiated targets recognising our continent’s diversity in digital maturity.

I would love to hear your perspectives:

How do you see this Declaration influencing the national and regional policy work you are involved in?

How do you envision Member States and the African Union translating these ambitious targets into concrete action and accountability frameworks?

Are you actively following or contributing to any UN processes related to digital governance (WSIS+20, IGF, Global Digital Compact)?

I believe cross-sharing between these tracks is becoming increasingly essential, and as fellows within the UN ECA community, we are well-positioned to contribute to that dialogue.

Let’s keep this conversation active; Africa's digital future depends on how effectively we move from commitments to coordinated action.

Dear Fellows,

I’m excited to share that my recent peer-reviewed paper has just been published: "Drivers and Barriers in Libya’s E-Government Implementation"

The paper explores how technological, organizational, environmental, and user-acceptance factors shape the progress of e-government initiatives in Libya, drawing from a combination of theoretical models and fieldwork conducted with multi-stakeholders. While focused on Libya, many of the lessons may be relevant to other countries across Africa and beyond as we all navigate digital transformation in different contexts.

The full paper link here, for anyone interested.

But beyond sharing the publication, I wanted to open a small conversation with you all:

How is e-governance evolving in your respective countries or institutions? Have you had experience publishing your own work, whether through conferences, journals, or policy papers? Do share it. What challenges or lessons have you encountered in getting your work published and shared?

I believe many of us are dealing with overlapping themes, and it would be great to exchange ideas, experiences, and even explore possible collaborations in the future. Let’s continue to build on the great momentum of the UNECA Fellowship network!

Looking forward to your thoughts and experiences.

Hello everyone, I would love to hear your experiences from your respective countries about innovative trends in transport digitalization. Any information you have on even one of these topics will greatly enhance my understanding of these critical issues and support my current work in my division.

Please share information on the following topics:

Apps for Ride Safety: What applications are being used to enhance safety in transportation? Traffic Management Solutions: Are there any innovative tools or systems in place to manage traffic effectively? Vehicle Control and Inspection: How is vehicle compliance monitored and enforced in your region? Mobility Services (e.g., Uber): What ride-hailing services are prevalent, and how do they operate in your area? Public Transport Ticketing Solutions: What systems are in place to facilitate ticketing for public transport? Asset Management: How is asset management handled in your transport sector? Smart Charging for Electric Vehicles: Are there any initiatives for charging electric vehicles efficiently? Port Information Systems: How are ports utilizing technology to improve operations? Human Resource Innovations: What advancements are being made in areas like driver-less parking?

Please share the app names using to digitalize for the above lists.

Thank you!

Is there anyone who has worked in climate change related areas or has done/is doing climate change related research? Would be great to leverage on each others experience!

On another note, what are the sentiments of the governments (in your countries)when it comes to investing in climate change adaptation strategies - given the share of Africa's contribution to climate change?

What is your opinion about the UN80 and the 20% budget cut? How would you go about keeping the UN afloat?

We are pleased to announce that “Productive Capacity and Regional Value Chains of the Automotive Sector in Southern Africa” won the runner-up best paper at the just concluded Fifth Young Scholars Conference on Structural Change and Industrial Policy in Africa, a conference organized by the South African Research Chair in Industrial Development, SARCHi, University of Johannesburg. The paper was written by Sodiq Arogundade - a Cohort 4 Research Fellow at SRO-SA, in collaboration with Ms. Talumba Ireen Chilipaine, Ms. Vanessa Nakayange and his Fellowship Supervisor, Ms. Olayinka Lawal Bandele. Link to the paper would be shared as soon as it is published.

There is a whole lot of debate on whether Africa is ready for the all the innovations and digital technologies needed to transform agrifood systems in the continent. The FAO and AU will be discussing the African Union's new Digital Agriculture Strategy. ALI Ibrahim Houssen,Djibouti,ACS you might be particularly interested in joining the conversations with your interests in AI and agriculture. Webinar is on the 12th of June. Register on the link: https://lnkd.in/ehDY_Sh3

This week, I had the privilege of attending the Third Pan-African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water (PANAFCON-3) where the Africa Water Vision was being discussed. Water is life. Yet far too many across our continent still live without access to safe water or adequate sanitation. I believe the water vision is a timely opportunity to recommit to collective action to deliver sustainable, inclusive water and sanitation services for all Africans. We cannot overstate the urgency. Access to water and sanitation underpins everything, from health and education to food security, gender equality, climate resilience, and economic development. It’s high time African governments mainstreamed natural resources as part of their development plans. Realizing that the SDG6 is linked to the achievement of all the other SDGs is key. We need to move from vision to action in line with the AU Agenda 2063.

Remittances (money sent by the diaspora or migrants to their home countries) play a crucial role in many African economies. They serve as a stable and often growing source of foreign income, sometimes surpassing foreign direct investment and official development assistance. For countries like Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and Senegal, remittances contribute significantly to national GDP.

At the household level, remittances improve living standards by helping families cover basic needs such as food, education, healthcare, and housing. They also provide a form of social insurance during economic downturns or crises. In rural areas especially, these funds can reduce poverty and promote financial inclusion by encouraging the use of banking and mobile money services.

Beyond household support, remittances can have broader developmental impacts. They can boost local economies by increasing consumption, supporting small businesses, and fostering entrepreneurship. However, their potential is often underutilized due to high transfer costs, lack of financial literacy, and limited investment channels.

Given the significant role remittances play in African economies, is it advisable for governments to impose taxes on diaspora contributions, or would such a policy risk undermining their developmental impact

I guys, Africa accounts for approximately 3.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Sub-Saharan Africa contributes just 1.9% of global emissions, with South Africa alone responsible for 1.3%. The remaining 48 countries combined contribute only 0.6% consistent with the UNFCCC and UNEP.

Moreover, According to the Global Center on Adaptation (2024), Africa receives only 20% of global adaptation finance flows (about $13 billion annually) and just 18% of the funding needed for climate change mitigation, despite being one of the regions most severely affected.

In the context of shrinking global climate finance, how can African countries—who contribute the least to global emissions but bear the highest climate-related costs—secure the necessary resources for natural resource management and adaptation, especially given the failure of the 'polluter-pays' principle in practice?

I’ve been reflecting lately on how fortunate we are to be part of this fellowship especially at a time when the UN is actively rethinking its role ahead of UN80. It’s not every day you get to witness (and contribute to) a moment of institutional reflection and potential reform from the inside. Being here makes me think deeply about what this milestone really means—not just for the UN, but for how we show up as future leaders.

I’m curious, how are you all experiencing this moment? What does UN80 stir in you?

This week’s hybrid Policy and Programme Dialogue was truly eye-opening for me. It deepened my understanding of the complex challenges surrounding taxation management across African countries. One of the key takeaways for me was the discussion on the reasons behind widespread tax evasion. The question, “Why do people evade tax?”, sparked important reflections, not just about non-compliance, but also about the underlying mistrust between citizens and governments.

Another critical point raised was the paradox where citizens do pay taxes, yet governments often fail to deliver quality public services in return. This failure contributes to a cycle of disillusionment and reduced tax morale, where citizens feel little incentive to contribute to a system they perceive as inefficient or corrupt.

I also found the conversations around solutions particularly thought-provoking. The emphasis on leveraging technology to improve tax administration and service delivery was inspiring especially for me as a fellow in Tech. Technological platforms for taxation management when designed with accountability and user access in mind, could significantly enhance efficiency, transparency, and trust in the system.

Overall, the meeting reinforced the importance of good governance, citizen engagement, and digital innovation in strengthening tax systems. For taxation to work as a tool for development, it must be grounded in a social contract where both the state and its citizens uphold their responsibilities.

In recent years, the debt situation in many African countries has become increasingly precarious. According to the IMF, over half of low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa are either in debt distress or at high risk of it. The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, rising global interest rates, and currency depreciations have all contributed to a sharp deterioration in debt sustainability across the region. In response, several governments have implemented fiscal consolidation measures—often under the guidance of international financial institutions—to stabilize public finances and restore macroeconomic balance. However, these austerity measures frequently involve spending cuts in critical sectors. This raises an important policy question: How does fiscal consolidation programs affect the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in African countries ?

"The clock is ticking less than 5 years remain until 2030 deadline. Yet the world is yet far off from achieving the sustainable development goals. In Africa only 10 out of 144 measurable SDG targets are likely to be achieved by the end of the decade". We can’t build an economy, if people are hungry. Agriculture is more than just farming. It is about food security, jobs, our future. With 60% of world’s uncultivated arable lands, Africa has the opportunity to become a global agricultural powerhouse. Yet we continue to import $45B in food annually, and 278 millions of our people face hunger.

Economic growth can be driven by scaling up agri-business across value chains, support climate smart practices and finance critical infrastructure, including irrigation systems and storage facilities. By investing in agricultural productivity, we don’t just grow food, we grow opportunities, we strengthen communities, and we build resilience against climate shocks. This is a critical part of the foundation upon which we must build Africa’s economic transformation.

A common challenge the rural farmers face each year is economic uncertainty due to a variety of factors. One is frequent changes with crop and livestock yields. Other factors include unpredictable weather conditions and limited access to advanced farming techniques. Uncertainty like these can make difficult for farmers to make effective business decisions. AI solutions can assist farmers in achieving sustainable and reliable farming practices. Just as knowing the rules of the road can make you a better and more effective driver, understanding the basics of AI can help you to reach your destination safely and to avoid potential roadblocks. AI has the potential to greatly improve the quality of our work lives and streamline business operations.

Leveraging AI, farmers can make data-driven decisions, assess risks, spot market fraud, and develop strategies to increase their overall productivity.