As a Researcher and Fellow, I am increasingly reflecting on the critical role of Administration and Human Resource Management in shaping the efficiency and impact of our work. Beyond processes and policies, HR is about nurturing talent, fostering diversity, and creating an enabling environment for innovation.

Yet, a key question remains: how can international organizations like UNECA balance the need for efficiency with the imperative to invest in people’s growth and well-being?

I would love to hear thoughts and experiences from colleagues and peers: what innovative HR practices have you seen that truly empower teams and enhance institutional performance?

AHOUAKAN Ehouman Williams V,Ivory Coast,SRO/WA You're right, especially since one of the recommendations from international bodies, including UNECA, is to increase domestic revenue by broadening the tax base and raising taxes in countries that have not yet reached the optimal tax rate (15%). While this may offer a solution, it is important to realize that African countries have an informal sector that represents between 25% and 65% of their GDP. In countries like the Comoros, this rate goes up to 80%. In this context, the proposed solutions only address a segment of African economies. There may be a need to rethink the African economic model and the structure of our economies by integrating (or at least attempting to integrate) the informal sector into analyses. I believe such an approach would help recover domestic revenues that currently escape the system and allow greater investment in government spending.

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

ABNER Martha,Namibia,DES-PS I remain rather skeptical about this reform.

We've gone from the MDGs, which were a failure, to the SDGs, whose rate of achievement is still a long way from expectations with 5 years to go. How can we be sure that such a reform will be effective this time? What's more, one of the objectives of the UN80 initiative is to improve and ensure financial viability. But in view of the Trump administration's new funding and aid policies, the question of financial viability is all the more crucial and urgent. Finally, for the countries of Africa and especially SSA, which are heavily dependent on this aid, what are the alternatives for ensuring operational efficiency and optimizing the allocation of financial resources?

LIPEDE Omolola Mary,Nigeria,GPSPD I've been very interested in this subject for the past few years. I think empowerment is a broad and deep concept. To answer your concern, you'd have to know what kind of empowerment you're talking about. If we refer to the work of Nobel Prize Dufflo (2012; 2019) in this field, we understand that empowerment is a multidimensional concept that cannot be analyzed solely from the angle of access to a salary... While the social, economic and political dimensions are often mentioned, I think we need to take into account the cultural environment in which we evolve. For example, can women's empowerment be understood in the same way in Cameroon as in France? Are the contextual and cultural realities the same?

BIRIKA Naomi,Kenya,RITD That’s a valid point. AI can optimize efficiency, but over-reliance risks filtering out diverse talent. Combining tech with human evaluation helps preserve nuance and equity in recruitment.

GULE Thandile Tanzile,Eswatini,CFND It's an existential question that you raise here. Especially since it's a paradox when you consider that African countries are very rich in natural resources.

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?

LOMPO Aguima Aime Bernard,Burkina Faso,SPORD totally agree

BIRIKA Naomi,Kenya,RITD That’s a very relevant concern—and what you’ve observed in Nairobi is indeed mirrored in parts of Cameroon, especially in cities like Yaoundé and Bamenda.

In Yaoundé, for example, over 65% of households rely on alternative water sources such as boreholes, wells, and springs due to inconsistent supply from the national utility (CAMWATER). This unregulated drilling, much like in Nairobi, raises serious concerns about aquifer depletion and long-term water security. The city’s rapid urban expansion hasn’t been matched by adequate infrastructure planning, leading to increased pressure on groundwater reserves.

Similarly, in Bamenda, while the water supply system has shown some resilience, the city still faces chronic shortages. Communities have turned to private wells and boreholes, which again risks over-extraction. Experts in Cameroon are now advocating for Nature-based Solutions and ecosystem-based adaptations to ensure sustainable urban water management.

Cameroon’s National Development Strategy (SND30) and its commitments under Agenda 2063 do acknowledge the importance of water resource management, but implementation remains uneven. The challenge is integrating these frameworks into local urban planning and enforcing regulations that balance development with conservation.

LOMPO Aguima Aime Bernard,Burkina Faso,SPORD Very fine analysis, Bernard. I share your point of view. I don't think it's absolutely necessary, since it's based on the assumption that data trends will continue. But in the event of exogenous or endogenous shocks, this can completely reverse and skew the nature of the data. It is for this reason that the contemporary literature agrees that it is not necessary for the panel to be absolutely cylindrical in order to make estimates. Ref. Nomo et al.(2025) Amba (2024).

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.