Wow ABNER Martha,Namibia,DES-PS, interesting question.

I think and propose that as fellows, we can have a weekly convening to share best practices based on past experiences to enhance work processes. For instance, a fellow can share a practical session on their experience. This would be a learning and sharing platform for us all. Here, we can address hiccups on day to day work and life shocks. It would be a platform to physically network.

We can also invite an individual to share their day in a life journey.

It is with such a platform that we can support divisions, sections, units develop or craft out proposals, concept notes, business plans, ideas to enhance programming.

BIRIKA Naomi,Kenya,RITD Great question Naomi! What is happening in Nairobi echoes a broader challenge that has been identified across many African cities including this very city we are standing on, Addis Ababa! The water demand in many cities can no longer be met by the supply, and climate change is not making it easy for us with the changes in hydrological processes. When surface water is no longer enough, groundwater is often deemed as the next possible solution, and we do not stop to think what will happen when the ground water is depleted too! I think its high time we looked into other innovative solutions such as rain water harvesting. Another promising approach is the use of unconventional water resources, such as wastewater reuse and recycling.

Importantly, the water agenda should be mainstreamed into economic development strategies and urban planning processes, recognizing water not only as a social service but also as a critical driver of productivity, public health, and sustainable growth. By embedding water considerations into city master plans, housing policies, and industrial development strategies, we can ensure that future economic expansion and urbanization are matched with resilient, equitable, and sustainable water systems. I cannot over-emphasize the need to build strong institutional collaboration and cross-sectoral integration. Fragmented responsibilities across agencies have hindered cities’ ability to respond to growing water challenges.

And yes, The Africa Water Vision 2025 does acknowledge the challenges posed by the depletion of water tables in cities across the continent. The vision emphasizes the importance of integrated water resources management, which considers both water supply and demand. CFND is currently involved in the drafting and updating of this policy, The Africa Water Vision 2063 alongside AMCOW, a process which I am grateful to be a part of. I will share the policy once its been finalized! As the saying goes “Building a nation is building reliable and good institutions” and institutions or stakeholders are very important building blocks for effective and efficient development. The governance gaps, require not only technical solutions but also institutional reforms that empower local actors, integrate traditional knowledge, and foster inclusive decision-making for long-term water security to implement the vision.

CHIGARU Farai, Malawi, SRO-WA said in Development as an Attitude: Not a Budget Line:

Very insightful LIPEDE Omolola Mary,Nigeria,GPSPD . My question would be analogous to the chicken and egg dilemma, in relation to the mindset and development phenomena - would you not argue that development comes first and then mindset follows?

I get your point, I would however, argue that development is an attitude not the other way round.

NDIMBO Gabriel Kanuti,Tanzania,IDEP said in Africa Food Systems Forum 2025:

LIPEDE Omolola Mary,Nigeria,GPSPD Thank you for your input. Sure, the African position on GMOs was discussed through two angles: (a) embracing Indigenous knowledge in agriculture and (b) agroecological practices. These two issues, from Africa's perspective, could help to build a resilient food system that sustains cultural identity and the environment.

Thank you for your response.

Such a timely and important piece! Internet shutdowns are too often dismissed as short-term political measures, yet their ripple effects extend far deeper, stifling SMEs, disrupting cross-border trade, and undermining the very digital ecosystems Africa is working so hard to build under frameworks like the AfCFTA. As someone working at the intersection of technology, and development, I’ve seen how connectivity is not just about communication, it’s infrastructure for innovation, digital skills, financial inclusion, and market access. When the internet goes dark, it’s not only freedom of expression that suffers, but also the livelihoods of young entrepreneurs, farmers, and educators who rely on digital tools daily. Your call to think about legal precedents and pathways forward is especially critical. If Africa is serious about unlocking digital trade and positioning itself competitively in the global economy, safeguarding connectivity must be seen as both an economic imperative and a human right.

Thanks Naomi for sharing this reflection. I find it powerful how often the AfCFTA is described using words like “the next logical progression,” “landmark,” “milestone,” “ambitious,” “comprehensive agreement,” and even “game changer.” These phrases really capture just how transformative this agreement is in driving intra-African trade.

Reading through UNECA’s Economic Report on Africa (2025), I was struck by the scale of its potential impact: accelerated implementation of the AfCFTA could raise Africa’s GDP by US$141 billion and boost intra-African trade by US$276 billion. With the backdrop of shifting global trade dynamics and new tariffs from the US, the urgency for Africa to fast-track its integration and open up alternative markets could not be clearer. This raises an important question I’ve been reflecting on: should Africa stop at creating a Continental Free Trade Area, or should we already start charting the path towards a Customs Union and eventually a Common Market?

I am particularly excited about the launch of the 11th edition of the Assessing Regional Integration in Africa (ARIA XI): “Delivering on the African Economic Community: Towards an African Continental Customs Union and African Continental Common Market.” To me, this theme signals the natural progression for the Continent after AfCFTA implementation. As a Fellow in Tech, this excites me even more because I see how technology can accelerate this vision whether through digital trade platforms, interoperable payment systems, e-customs solutions, or AI-driven data analytics to support trade policy. The digital dimension of integration will be critical in turning these ambitious frameworks into practical realities that reach businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities across Africa.

SOUMTANG BIME Valentine, Cameroon, DES-P That’s a very timely question. From my experience, private sector HR often pushes innovation faster because of market competition you see practices like flexible work models, strong reward systems, career mobility, and continuous upskilling. International organizations, meanwhile, tend to emphasize compliance, stability, and process integrity, which sometimes slows down innovation but ensures fairness and accountability.

The real value lies in blending the two: adopting the private sector’s agility (career pathways, recognition, people analytics) while leveraging the international organization’s strengths in diversity and mission-driven culture. When HR is positioned as a driver of capability, not just process, it creates both efficiency and an environment where people can thrive.

As Malawi votes AGAIN tomorrow since multi-democracy in 1994 - it still remains one of the poorest countries in Africa. This is albeit absence of any conflict. The common trend always appears for electives to focus on being re-elected in the next elections, whose motive could bring short term gains that often trade-off with longer term sustainable benefits. One could argue that, uncertainty of re-election of elected presidents is what causes mis-prioritization of development efforts, poor governance, and corruption.

Indeed democracy has its benefits, but does it outweigh its costs for African countries? - specifically asking..."what could have happened if there was no democracy, and presidents were secure about their presidency"?

If yes, then how do we mitigate poor governance that comes from insecurity of re-election?

This reduces the time-lag and delivery process for both countries, and I believe this can steer more trade collaborations across various services and products all factors kept constant.

Great to see UNECA driving data-powered social protection. Building robust evidence systems is crucial for inclusive policies across the continent. Looking forward to seeing how the Livingstone outcomes will be scaled and replicated to strengthen resilience and equity in other regions.

BANENGAI KOYAMA Torcia Chanelle,Central African Republic,MFGD Taxing the diaspora risks alienating a community that already contributes significantly through remittances. Instead of a mandatory tax, why not design innovative diaspora bonds or investment vehicles that allow participation while ensuring transparency and trust?

The Ramses Exchange fire is a stark reminder: resilient e-government requires redundancy, cybersecurity, and disaster-recovery planning. Africa cannot afford fragility!

It’s inspiring to witness Climate Week! The focus on turning commitments into actions, particularly during the Implementation Forum (Sept 3–4), reflects the emerging leadership of climate action in Africa. Looking forward to outcomes feeding into ACS2 and COP30 and beyond

while China's tariff elimination presents a promising avenue for Africa's economic growth, the continent's readiness to fully leverage this opportunity depends on addressing existing structural challenges and enhancing internal capacities.

Yes, Africa can gain a demographic dividend from its youthful population by strategically investing in key areas such as education and skills development to ensure quality training, improving healthcare access for a healthier workforce, creating job opportunities in sectors like technology and agriculture, supporting entrepreneurship through resources and finance, and enhancing infrastructure for better connectivity. These investments are crucial for leveraging the potential of the youth to drive sustainable economic growth.

Empowerment is truly about agency the ability to make choices and control one’s own narrative. It’s more than just titles or income; it’s about confidence and support that enable individuals to thrive. How do you define it?

This overview of imputation techniques for panel data is insightful and highlights the importance of addressing missing values to preserve analysis quality. The distinction between single and multiple imputation is clearly articulated, emphasizing that while single imputation is quick, multiple imputation offers a more robust solution. This guidance will be invaluable for users working with Stata to ensure more accurate and reliable results in their analyses.

It’s interesting to reflect on the insights shared during the hybrid Policy and Programme Dialogue. The discussions surrounding taxation management and the issues of tax evasion remain relevant and thought-provoking. Your observations about the need for trust between citizens and governments, as well as the role of technology in enhancing tax systems, continue to be critical as we move forward. Engaging in such conversations is essential for fostering good governance and improving public trust over time.

Do you refer to national level or organisational level crises?

Web scraping is the process of automatically gathering data from webpages. It is extensively utilized for a variety of purposes, including sentiment analysis, market research, and price tracking.