Tag Archives: The World Bank

Agriculture, AMA

Guinea Launches AgriConnect Compact to Transform Agri-Food Systems, Strengthen Food Security, and Create Jobs

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Washington, USA, 04 May 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The Government of Guinea, in partnership with the World Bank Group, today announced the launch of the Guinea AgriConnect Compact. This integrated strategic framework aims to accelerate sustainable transformation of agrifood systems, strengthen food and nutrition security, create decent jobs, and position agriculture as a key driver of inclusive growth and industrialization.

The initiative is aligned with the 2040 Simandou Agenda, specifically its Pillar 1, which identifies agriculture and livestock as key drivers for economic diversification, export development, and job creation. It is based on a strengthened and complementary coordination approach involving the Government, the World Bank Group through the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), as well as technical and financial partners, the private sector, and producer organizations.

The compact aligns three priorities: rural infrastructure, public reforms and investments, and mobilizing private finance around shared goals for agricultural transformation, job creation, and food security.

“AgriConnect enables a better coordination of the World Bank Group’s instruments – IDA, IFC and MIGA – to support Guinea in a profound transformation of its agriculture,” said Issa Mare Diaw, World Bank Group Resident Representative for Guinea. “By combining reforms, public investment, and private sector engagement, we aim to help build more productive, resilient, and inclusive agri-food systems that can deliver food security while creating jobs.”

Priority value chains identified include rice and poultry – to strengthen food security and reduce reliance on imports – complemented by maize and soybeans as strategic inputs. The compact also supports high-potential diversification and export value chains, including fonio and mangoes.

“With the AgriConnect Compact, Guinea is taking a decisive step forward in positioning agriculture as a central pillar of economic transformation, directly linked to the opportunities offered by the Simandou corridor,” said Aminata Kaba, Minister of Agriculture. “Our ambition is to ensure long-term food security, create decent jobs for youth and women, and promote competitive, resilient and market-oriented agriculture.”

“The livestock sector occupies a strategic place in our food security and import substitution policy, particularly for the poultry sector,” said Félix Lamah, Minister of Livestock. “The AgriConnect Compact will build the capacity of producers, improve access to essential inputs such as maize and soybeans, and develop more efficient and inclusive livestock value chains.”

By 2030, the AgriConnect Guinea Compact aims in particular to contribute to: (i) a significant improvement in food and nutrition security, (ii) the creation of hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the agricultural and agri-food value chains, particularly for young people and women, (iii) the reduction of dependence on imports of staple foods, particularly rice and poultry products, and (iv) the valorization of the export potential of products such as fonio and mangoes.

“The AgriConnect Compact is fully in line with our ambition to build a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous Guinea,” said Mariama Ciré Sylla, Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget. “It reflects our desire to make agriculture and livestock farming real levers for transformation, job creation and economic sovereignty, in line with the Simandou 2040 Program and our national economic diversification agenda.”

AgriConnect is a World Bank Group initiative to help 300 million smallholder farmers around the world to better valorize their crops to increase their incomes by 2030. It is supported by partners such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Bayer, and Google.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

Contacts
In Conakry for the World Bank:
Zubah Beavogui,
+224 625259536
zbeavogui@worldbankgroup.org

For the Ministry of Agriculture:
Kadiatou Bah,
+224 628462692
attachee.cabinet@agriculture.gov.gn

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AMA, Business, Education

Yango Group announces 2026 Yango Fellowship cohort across six African countries

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Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, 30 April 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ – Yango Group has announced the 2026 cohort of its Yango Fellowship programme, selecting 24 participants from more than 600 applicants across six African countries. Over 12 weeks, fellows will develop science and technology based projects using technical skills and present them at a final Demo Day in Abidjan.

The selected fellows come from Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia, Ethiopia, Senegal, Mozambique and Ghana, expanding the programme’s reach from two countries last year to six in 2026.

This year’s program focuses on the applied use of artificial intelligence. Participants will build solutions such as tools for health literacy, energy monitoring systems, traffic optimisation models and personalised learning in local languages.

The fellowship is structured in three stages: problem definition and market analysis, product development, and final presentation. It concludes with a Demo Day, where teams present their projects to industry experts and partners and may receive seed funding to support MVP development.

“The Yango Fellowship is part of our long-term investment in local technology ecosystems,” said Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Business Officer at Yango Group. “By supporting early-stage talent and enabling cross-market collaboration, we aim to contribute to the development of scalable solutions that address real needs across African markets, while helping founders build and grow products that can operate beyond a single country.”

According to the World Bank, Africa faces a shortage of more than 2.5 million STEM professionals. The programme aims to provide hands-on experience and strengthen pathways into technology careers through mentorship and project-based learning.

In previous cohorts, participants developed solutions across health, education and engineering. Some graduates secured internships across partner organisations, while others received funding for community initiatives. Alumni have gone on to launch startups, digital products and non-governmental projects, continuing their work beyond the fellowship.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Yango

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AMA

How community shelters protect children and help women restore degraded lands in Niger

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Community-built shelter in Tillaberi. Credit: Attou Moutari.

Washington, USA, 03 April 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Community-built shelters in Niger are enabling mothers to participate in land restoration work by providing shaded spaces for their children, protecting them from extreme heat and environmental hazards.
The initiative has led to the construction of 662 shelters across six regions, safeguarding 6,465 children and allowing women to focus on earning income and supporting their families.
This practical solution not only improves household livelihoods but also advances women’s economic empowerment, transforming a structural barrier into a pathway for resilience and community development.

The Issue: An impossible choice

In the sun-scorched landscapes of Niger, where temperatures can reach 45°C (113°F), a quiet but powerful shift is underway. It’s not just about restoring the land—it’s about enabling the women who sustain their families and communities to work safely and earn an income. A simple, community-built shelter has helped remove a barrier that kept many mothers from participating in land restoration: childcare in extreme heat.

In 2023, the Integrated Landscape Management Project (PGIP), an environment and natural resources management project financed by the World Bank through IDA credit, launched a large Cash for Work program to help rural communities restore degraded lands and build resilience to climate change. As implementation moved forward, the team saw a human hurdle: women with young children faced an impossible daily choice. Formal childcare options were scarce. Many mothers brought infants and toddlers—some as young as one year old—to the worksites, exposing them to intense sun, dust, and high winds. The risks ranged from dehydration to insect and snake bites. Mothers worried about safety and health, and their participation—and earnings—suffered.

The Solution: Community-built shelters (“hangars”)

The team listened to women and worked with local leaders to test a practical, culturally rooted solution: build shaded shelters near worksites and ask trusted “village grandmothers” to supervise the children. These hangars use local materials—wooden poles, straw, and planks—and create cool, protected spaces where children can rest and play while their mothers work nearby. Community selection of elder caregivers created trust and accountability, while keeping the model simple, affordable, and easy to maintain.

The Impact

Immediate and transformative results came quickly. To date, 662 shelters have been built across six regions, providing safe spaces for 6,465 children. By removing a basic barrier—safe childcare in extreme heat—the project unlocked women’s participation in cash-for-work activities and helped stabilize household incomes. Communities report greater peace of mind for mothers and better focus on work when children are safe and close by.

Community-built shelters are playing a pivotal role in advancing Niger’s job agenda by removing a critical barrier to women’s participation in land restoration work. By providing safe spaces for childcare, these shelters allow mothers to take part in Cash for Work programs, increasing the workforce and directly supporting household incomes. This access not only expands employment opportunities for women but also enhances their ability to contribute economically to their families and communities.

The initiative fosters skills development and community cohesion. As women are freed from the constraints of childcare during working hours, they can engage more fully in restoration activities, gaining practical experience and confidence. This strengthens their position in the labor market and promotes broader inclusion, making access to jobs more equitable and sustainable for rural communities.

Governance and sustainability

To sustain the model, existing village structures—Site Management Committees (COGES) and Grievance Redress Committees (CGP)—handle logistics, upkeep, and any concerns. This light-touch governance reinforces community ownership and keeps the shelters practical and responsive.

What’s next: Adapting and improving

The project is developing mobile shelters—lightweight, detachable units that can move with worksites as activities shift seasonally. These will remain cost-effective and compliant with environmental and social standards, with attention to child health and safety. Existing shelters will be upgraded with mats, simple toys, picture books, and water trays, making the spaces more comfortable and stimulating. “Village grandmothers” will receive basic training in child protection, hygiene, and caregiving to strengthen care quality without complicating the model.

This is a straightforward lesson in inclusive development: when we remove everyday social barriers, climate and livelihoods projects go further. In Niger’s heat, childcare became the decisive factor in women’s participation. A low-cost, community-led solution turned a risk into a result—protecting children, increasing women’s earnings, and improving the effectiveness of land restoration.

Beyond one project, the hangar model offers a practical blueprint for public works and climate resilience operations. It shows how integrating simple social measures—from trusted caregivers to grievance channels—can elevate outcomes and expand who benefits, especially in contexts of extreme heat and limited services.

This approach is affordable, replicable, and rights-respecting. Most importantly, it helps women work safely and earn, while children stay protected—an inclusive path to climate resilience that can be scaled.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

This initiative is part of the Integrated Landscape Management Project (PGIP), which is part of the Sahel RESILAND Program and is implemented by the Government of Niger with the technical and financial support of the World Bank, PROGREEN, and PROBLUE.

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AMA

A New World Bank-Funded Program to Transform Forest Economies and Drive Jobs Opportunities for 60 million People around the Congo Basin

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Boosting forest value chains, supporting over 500 SMEs, and improving livelihoods for forest-dependent communities

Washington, USA, 02 April 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The World Bank Group today approved a new operation that will transform forest economies in Central Africa. The International Development Association (IDA)-funded Sustainable Congo Basin Forest Economies Program (SCBFEP) –$394.83 million for Phase 1—, will improve forest management, strengthen forest value chains, and will generate 220,000 jobs across the Republic of Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), and the Republic of Congo (RoC). This first phase forms part of a larger $1.02 billion multi-phase program to unlock economic, climate, and livelihood benefits from the world’s second-largest tropical forest biome, demonstrating that sustainable economic development and forest stewardship can, and must, go hand in hand.

This next generation of forest investments moves decisively beyond a conservation-only approach, building the economic conditions that make forest stewardship sustainable. Marginalized communities, indigenous peoples, and forest-dependent communities stand at the heart of the program. During its initial phase, nearly 8 million hectares will be placed under sustainable management. The program will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 17.6 million tCO2e and increase the share of legally processed wood by 15%, while supporting community forest enterprises, agroforestry systems, and SME processing zones. More than 500 SMEs and 20,000 people — 40% of them women — will gain access to training, finance, and value chain infrastructure, while over 7,000 youth will be supported into entrepreneurship. These will unlock real jobs and real economic opportunities for the 60 million people living in and around the Congo Basin who have long been bypassed by growth.

“This new program marks a milestone for the Congo Basin, where sustainable forest economies create jobs, raise incomes, and strengthen resilience for millions of people,” says Chakib Jenane, World Bank Regional Director for Planet. “By scaling legal wood production, improving governance, and investing in skills and enterprise growth, countries can unlock inclusive and sustainable prosperity.”

The program adopts a strong regional approach by supporting coordinated investments across the three participating countries, while leveraging the mandates of key regional institutions such as the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and the Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC) to harmonize forest policies and strengthen cross‑border governance.

“The Congo Basin is a shared resource, and its sustainability depends on coordinated policies and close regional cooperation,” declares Marina Wes, Acting World Bank Director for Regional Programs. “By strengthening regional institutions, the program improves wood trade standards and create a powerful platform for learning and collaboration across the Basin.”

The new initiative aligns directly with the Global Challenge Program on Forests for Development, Climate, and Biodiversity, while supporting participating countries’ national development strategies and regional commitments, as well as their climate objectives. With strong potential to expand carbon market opportunities and mobilize long-term private sector investment in sustainable forestry, it offers a replicable model for how job creation, shared prosperity, and forest economies can advance together.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

Contacts:
In Washington: Aby K. Touré, akonate@worldbank.org
In Bangui: Emmanuel C. Dembassa Kette, edembassakette@worldbankgroup.org
In Brazzaville: Franck Bitemo, fbitemo@worldbankgroup.org
In Douala: Odilia Hebga, ohebga@worldbank.org

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AMA

Tunisia Strengthens Social Protection for Vulnerable Families with New World Bank Support

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Washington, USA, 11 March 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The World Bank and the Government of Tunisia are deepening their partnership to strengthen the country’s social protection system, with the World Bank Board of Directors approving US$90 million in additional financing for the Tunisia Social Development Promotion Support Project. This support will help people build better opportunities for their lives and strengthen pathways to livelihoods.

The new financing builds on the strong results of the original $700 million project implemented over the past five years, which delivered emergency cash transfers to over 895,000 households, and expanded permanent cash transfers under the AMEN program, the country’s flagship social assistance initiative, to more than 386,000 beneficiary households while providing family allowances for over 150,000 children aged 0 to 5. The new financing will deepen these achievements, improving the effectiveness and long-term fiscal sustainability of Tunisia’s social protection system.

This support will also expand family allowances to approximately 450,000 children aged 6 to 18 from poor and low-income households, helping to reduce barriers to education and reduce school dropout rates. It will also support the establishment of a national disability fund, which will provide dedicated transfers and streamlined access to services for persons with disabilities.

“This additional financing reflects our continued commitment to supporting Tunisia in building a social protection system that is more comprehensive, adaptive, and resilient,” said Alexandre Arrobbio, World Bank Country Manager for Tunisia. “By expanding family allowances to school-age children and strengthening support for persons with disabilities, we are helping protect vulnerable households and support better opportunities for children across the country.”

Beyond expanding coverage, the new financing will accelerate the digitalization of Tunisia’s social protection system, including supporting the development of an Integrated Beneficiary Registry and broadening the use of digital payment tools. It will also pilot economic inclusion initiatives combining self-employment and wage-employment pathways, helping beneficiary households to better connect to job opportunities and achieve greater self-reliance.

“The reforms supported under this project go beyond cash transfers,” said Mohamed El Aziz Ben Ghachem, Senior Social Protection Specialist at the World Bank. “Modernizing the targeting system, building a unified beneficiary registry, piloting economic inclusion nitiatives, and advancing harmonization across Tunisia’s various social assistance and social insurance programs, will lay the foundations for a modern, data-driven and integrated social protection system in Tunisia.”

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

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AMA

From potential to skills and real jobs: how young women are powering change in Western and Central Africa

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Young women attending a training in Chad. Credit: Miguel San Joaquin.

Washington, USA, 27 March 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- When you think about sub-Saharan Africa, and about the young women who live across the region, what comes to mind? Many are mothers. Many are tireless workers. Many are the emotional and practical backbone of their households and communities.

But the picture is also changing. Increasingly, more young women are finishing high school, enrolling in university, getting better jobs, and building careers beyond the home. This has not always been the dominant narrative in West and Central Africa, where even today about 40% of young women are neither in school, in training, nor employed.

Linking learning and skills opportunities with access to jobs and real economic pathways for about 3 million women

Across Western and Central Africa, the Sub-Saharan Africa Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend project — known as SWEDD+ — is supporting that change of trajectory.

Building on the original regional SWEDD project launched in the Sahel in 2015, the broader SWEDD/SWEDD+ initiative has reached nearly 3 million women and adolescent girls by linking learning and skills opportunities with real economic pathways and access to maternal and child health services. About 255,000 of these women have gained practical skills and entered the workforce with confidence through the program’s economic empowerment activities. SWEDD+ is expanding the participation and leadership of women and girls while also strengthening institutional capacity for equal rights for women across the region.

Women’s individual stories, spanning fields from skilled trades to healthcare to entrepreneurship, show what becomes possible when talent meets access to opportunity.

“Now we’re motivated and earning money to support our families. We’re happy to bring solar energy to the villages.” Angelique ,Benin.

Angelique and Odette at work. Credit: Miguel San Joaquin.

Angelique and Odette, from Benin, left school in fifth and fourth grade when their families could no longer afford the fees. Today, their path looks very different. Thanks to SWEDD, both young women got trainings in a non-traditional economic activity: building electrification and solar photovoltaic installation. They now have a better job and have been working for over two years with a private company installing solar panels. The pride in their voices is unmistakable. “Now we’re motivated and earning money to support our families,” Angelique says. “We’re happy to bring solar energy to the villages.”

Leaving school because of financial hardship is still a common reality across West and Central Africa. Harmelle, also from Benin, had to leave school at age 14. She married soon after and became a mother, but two years later her husband died, leaving her in a precarious financial situation. A turning point came when she and her twin sister enrolled in a SWEDD entrepreneurship program that provided training and a starter kit for snail farming. With it came something just as important: peace of mind. “When I started farming, there were some difficulties,” she recalls, “but then we began earning money, and everyone was better off.”

Harmelle and her twin sister. Credit: Miguel San Joaquin.

In Chad, Djogoita was inspired by her father, a police officer, to find her own way to serve her community. She chose midwifery and the role has given her both purpose and confidence. “When they bring me a pregnant woman or a child from 0 to 14 years old, I can use the knowledge I gained through my training to help them,” she explains with a great satisfaction of having a fulfilling job.

Djogoita and her father. Credit: Miguel San Joaquin.

Investing in women: one of the smartest economic bets to powering local economies

Across Western and Central Africa, the transformation is underway. With the right skills, support, and opportunities, a new generation of women and girls is not only increasing their own economic independence: they are powering local economies and investing back into their families and communities. The lesson is clear: when young women are given the tools to succeed, the returns reach far beyond the individual. Investing in women and girls is not just the right thing to do; it is one of the smartest economic bets West and Central Africa can make.

Creating more and better jobs across the region is central to the World Bank Group’s mission. By equipping young women with relevant skills and connecting them to real economic opportunities, programs like SWEDD/SWEDD+ directly advance this agenda — turning human potential into productive employment that fuels inclusive and sustainable growth.

In this International Women’s month, the stories of Angelique, Odette, Harmelle, and Djogoita remind us that the future of the region’s growth and resilience is already taking shape: one young woman at a time, trained, employed, and empowered to drive change in her community.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

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Agriculture, AMA

Burkina Faso: A New Project to Accelerate the Transformation of the Agricultural Sector

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Washington, USA, 11 March 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The World Bank today approved a project totaling $215.9 million (about CFAF 118.7 billion) to support the development of the agricultural sector. The Burkina Faso Agricultural Transformation Project is in line with national priorities in terms of food security, job creation and promotion of the private sector.

The new project will focus on developing priority agricultural value chains, including rice and maize, by supporting productivity improvements, modernization of processing infrastructure, and better access to markets. It will also help address financing constraints to foster private investment and technology adoption.

Attention will be paid to the inclusion of women and youth, to strengthen their participation in agricultural value chains and support the creation of sustainable jobs in rural areas.

“Agriculture remains a central pillar of the Burkinabè economy and a key lever for food security and the resilience of rural populations. Through this project, the World Bank reaffirms its commitment to supporting Burkina Faso in transforming its agricultural sector with a view to more inclusive and sustainable growth,” explains Hamoud Abdel Wedoud Kamil, World Bank Country Manager for Burkina Faso.

The project will be implemented in close collaboration with national authorities, private sector actors, and decentralized stakeholders, to ensure strong ownership and sustainable results, and will cover four of the country’s seventeen regions. These zones were selected for their agricultural potential, the presence of priority value chains – including rice and maize – as well as the potential to scale up interventions already implemented under the World Bank-financed Agriculture Resilience and Competitiveness Project (PReCA).

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

Contacts
In Ouagadougou:
Lionel Yaro,
(+226) 25 49 63 00
lyaro@worldbank.org

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AMA

For Somalia, Building Climate Resilience is Key to Unlocking Long-Term Growth and Jobs

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Washington, USA, 05 March 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- A new World Bank Group report finds that cost‑effective and smart development investments, particularly in climate-smart agriculture, resilient cities, disaster risk management, and stronger institutions, could cut projected economic losses for Somalia by half and deliver more stable, productive jobs for its people.

Launched today by the Government of Somalia and the World Bank Group, the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for the Federal Republic of Somalia emphasizes the importance of linking adaptation to employment and productivity, which can enable Somalia to convert resilience investments into job opportunities, advancing its ambition to reach middle‑income status by 2060.

“Our focus is to ensure that climate action directly benefits our communities while building a stronger, more resilient Somalia,” said Bashir Mohamed Jama, Minister of Environment and Climate Change for Somalia. “Our priority is to ensure that climate resilience supports economic stability and opportunity for our people. This report provides valuable analysis to guide coordinated action across sectors and strengthen collaboration with our partners”.

Somalia is among the countries most vulnerable to climate shocks. Without urgent action, climate change could reduce Somalia’s GDP by up to 13.5 percent by 2060, compared to a scenario without climate impacts, undermining growth and employment and exacerbating fragility.

“Building a climate‑resilient Somalia is a shared responsibility. Through coordinated leadership, evidence‑based policy, and strong partnerships, Somalia can turn climate challenges into opportunities for employment and productivity,” said Hideki Matsunaga, World Bank Country Manager for Somalia. “With smart investments, particularly in resilient rural livelihoods, climate‑smart cities, and stronger institutions, Somalia can break the cycle of vulnerability, create jobs, and unlock its development potential.”

Somalia has made important strides in state‑building and macroeconomic stabilization, completing the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative debt relief process in 2023 and acceding to the East African Community in 2024. However, decades of conflict, weak institutions, recurrent droughts and floods continue to erode livelihoods, displace millions, and strain public services. The report emphasizes that integrating climate and development strategies can reduce vulnerability while supporting private‑sector‑led growth and job creation, shifting from crisis response toward sustained economic opportunity.

Investments in early warning systems, disaster preparedness, water management, and climate‑smart agriculture are not only cost‑effective, but they are also essential for protecting lives, supporting growth, and sustaining jobs and livelihoods in communities affected by conflict and displacement. Analysis shows that higher‑quality growth and targeted climate action can sharply reduce economic losses from climate change compared to a business‑as‑usual scenario.

At the same time, the report notes that while Somalia will continue to rely on external funding in the near term, over the longer term it will need to take stronger leadership in planning, implementing, and financing climate action. Deepening partnerships with the private sector will be essential to translate resilience investments into durable employment and reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

Contacts
In Nairobi:
Lydia Gachungi
lgachungi@worldbank.org

In Washington:
Daniella Van Leggelo Padilla
dvanleggelo@worldbank.org

About Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs)
The World Bank Group’s Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) are new core diagnostic reports that integrate climate change and development considerations. They will help countries prioritize the most impactful actions that can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and boost adaptation, while delivering on broader development goals. CCDRs build on data and rigorous research and identify main pathways to reduce GHG emissions and climate vulnerabilities, including the costs and challenges as well as benefits and opportunities from doing so. The reports suggest concrete, priority actions to support the low-carbon, resilient transition. As public documents, CCDRs aim to inform governments, citizens, the private sector and development partners and enable engagements with the development and climate agenda. CCDRs will feed into other core Bank Group diagnostics, country engagements and operations, and help attract funding and direct financing for high-impact climate action.

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AMA

Congo Basin Countries Forge Strategic Path to Carbon Markets with Roadmaps to Monetize Forest Wealth

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Washington, USA, 24 February 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Six countries of the Congo Basin—Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Republic of Congo—are working to take bold steps to unlock results-based payments and climate finance. The newly launched Strategic Roadmaps for Carbon Market and Climate Finance in the Forest Sector for the Congo Basin Countries developed with support from the World Bank, serve as blueprints to transform the region’s vast forest wealth into a powerful engine for climate-resilient growth and sustainable development and green jobs.

These roadmaps provide country-specific blueprints to help High Forest, Low Deforestation (HFLD) Congo Basin countries to engage credibly and effectively in global carbon markets, mobilize results-based finance, and transform their forest assets into engines for climate-resilient growth. Tailored to each country’s readiness and institutional landscape, the roadmaps build on the foundational data from Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem Accounts to create a comprehensive framework aligning nature and climate goals with national development priorities. As part of the World Bank’s broader Analytical and Advisory Services (ASA) for the Congo Basin, these roadmaps aim to shift the region’s development narrative—from one of forest loss or degradation to forest-led growth.

“Forests across the Congo Basin offer more than global climate regulation—they represent critical financial assets and a development opportunity,” said Chakib Jenane, World Bank Regional Practice Director Western and Central Africa Region. “These roadmaps provide the crucial link and show how countries can convert natural capital into tangible investments that generate revenues, jobs, and resilience for local communities.”

The roadmaps call for stronger institutional coordination, equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms, and robust digital, and Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. While countries like Gabon, Republic of Congo are advancing with pilot results-based agreements and REDD+ progress, others like Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic are in the early stages of development. Opportunities abound also in Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. The roadmaps highlight the gaps and prioritize key actions that will allow countries to harness the potential from carbon markets and climate finance.

“Carbon markets can be a game-changer for Congo Basin countries—but only if the right enabling conditions are in place,” said Cheick Fantamady Kanté, World Bank Division Director for Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo. “These strategic roadmaps provide a practical end-to-end guide for governments to operationalize carbon finance, with a focus on good governance, private sector engagement, and benefits for local communities.”

Developed through broad stakeholder consultations and grounded in national priorities, the roadmaps support countries to:

  • Align national frameworks with Paris Agreement Article 6.2 and 6.4.
  • Build digital and institutional capacity for MRV readiness.
  • Clarify the legal and fiscal treatment of carbon credits.
  • Engage the private sector and ensure the participation of local communities and indigenous peoples.
  • Attract long-term climate investment and technical partnerships.

These carbon market climate roadmaps represent a convergence of jobs, environment, and economic agendas.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

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AMA, Health

African Leaders Call for Sustainable Malaria Financing as Progress Stalls and Funding Crisis Deepens

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The 2025 Africa Malaria Progress Report reveals 270.8 million cases and nearly 600,000 deaths. It warns of potential resurgence, as Heads of State and Government urge increased domestic resource mobilisation, call on partners to honour their commitments, and demand a renewed World Bank Malaria Booster Programme.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, 16 February 2026-/African Media Agency(AMA)/- Against a backdrop of stalled progress, declining international funding, and intensifying threats, African Heads of State and Government today issued a unified call for a new era of malaria financing at the 39th African Union Summit in Ethiopia. The African Union Malaria Progress Report 2025, presented by President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of the Republic of Botswana and Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), warns that without urgent action, the continent risks losing decades of hard-won gains against the disease.

Urgent action required as perfect storm intensifies
The 2025 report reveals that African Union Member States accounted for 270.8 million malaria cases (96% of the global total) and 594,119 deaths (97% of the global total) in 2024. Progress has stalled since 2015, and only five Member States have achieved the 2025 Catalytic Framework targets for reducing malaria incidence or mortality by 75%. These targets are part of the AU Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB and Eliminate Malaria in Africa by 2030.

The report warns that a 30% reduction in funding will result in 640 million fewer insecticide-treated nets, 146 million additional malaria cases, 397,000 additional deaths (75% among children under five), and a loss of $37 billion in GDP by 2030. Without urgent action, the report warns that malaria could resurge significantly, with cases potentially exceeding 400 million per year and deaths surpassing one million annually.

“The perfect storm of converging crises threatening malaria elimination has intensified. Official Development Assistance for health in Africa has declined by 70% in just four years, and the Eighth Replenishment of the Global Fund fell significantly short of its $18 billion target. We cannot allow these challenges to reverse decades of progress that have prevented 1.64 billion cases and saved 12.4 million lives since 2000.”
~ President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, Republic of Botswana, Chair of ALMA

A new era of financing as Africa takes the lead
In response to the funding crisis, African leaders reaffirmed their commitment to domestic resource mobilisation, innovative financing and the development of national health financing sustainability plans. The report highlights that End Malaria Councils and Funds in 12 countries have now mobilised over $200 million through public-private partnerships, demonstrating the power of multisectoral collaboration. Establishing public-private partnerships is essential for delivering sustainable financing. These partnerships can unlock new investments, propelling progress not only toward malaria elimination but also toward universal health coverage. A whole-of-society approach, engaging the private sector, philanthropic foundations, high-net-worth individuals and the diaspora through a public private health accelerator, will reinforce domestic commitments and deliver a win-win partnership.

Countries across the continent are stepping up with increased domestic financing commitments for malaria in 2025. Leaders called on global partners to honour their commitments, renew the World Bank’s Malaria Booster Programme, and align support with national strategies. The original World Bank Malaria Booster Programme (2005-2010) committed over $1 billion with transformative results. Today, African leaders are urging a renewed programme to close funding gaps, deploy next-generation tools, strengthen community health worker programmes, and build climate-resilient health systems. Investing in malaria in this way will also strengthen primary health care, making our health systems more resilient to shock and put us on a path to defeating other health challenges such as neglected tropical diseases.

“Our approach has spanned the full spectrum of what it takes to beat this disease. Tanzania has invested in world-class research and is home to the Ifakara Health Institute, where our scientists are working at the frontier of new technologies, including gene drive–an innovative approach that aims to ensure mosquitoes can no longer transmit the malaria parasite. This is African science, conducted by African researchers, addressing an African challenge.”
~ H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania

New, powerful next-generation tools gaining ground
Despite the challenges, the report highlights significant progress in deploying innovative tools. In 2025, 74% of insecticide-treated nets distributed across Africa were next-generation dual active-ingredient nets, up from just 20% in 2023. These nets are 45% more effective than pyrethroid-only nets against resistant mosquitoes.

Twenty-four countries have now introduced WHO-approved malaria vaccines for children under five, with 28.3 million doses distributed in 2025, up from 10.5 million in 2024. Additionally, WHO prequalified two spatial repellent products in 2025, marking the first new vector control intervention introduced in decades. A record 22 countries planned to implement seasonal malaria chemoprevention in 2025. The malaria innovation pipeline remains stronger than ever.

Promoting health sovereignty through local manufacturing
Leaders emphasised the importance of local manufacturing to ensure affordability, access, and supply chain resilience. Currently, Africa imports 99% of vaccines and 95% of medicines. The report highlights that Nigeria has entered into partnerships for local production of antimalarial treatments and rapid diagnostic tests, and is working to establish the first Africa-manufactured next-generation nets.

The African Medicines Agency, with 31 countries now ratified, and Regional Economic Communities are harmonising regulatory frameworks to accelerate the registration of new commodities across the continent.

“Full deployment of existing and new tools, combined with full funding, could save over 13.2 million lives over the next 15 years and boost African economies by over $140 billion. Every dollar invested in the Global Fund delivers $19 in returns. We have the tools. We need the resources.”
~ Dr. Michael Adekunle Charles, CEO, RBM Partnership to End Malaria

What must be done
The Heads of State and Government issued a clear call to action, urging all Member States to treat malaria as a central pillar of health sovereignty and economic transformation, protect and increase domestic and external funding, and fully implement the priorities of the Catalytic Framework through a Big Push Against Malaria.

Leaders called on international partners to fulfil commitments, align support with national strategies, and invest in the tools and systems that will secure a malaria-free future. They emphasised that the path ahead is challenging. Nevertheless, with determined leadership, the smart use of data, and sustained investment, Africa can bend the curve towards elimination and ensure that future generations grow up free from the threat of malaria.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of African Union

Notes to Editors: The African Union Malaria Progress Report 2025 is available for download at:  www.au.int and  www.alma2030.org

About the Africa Malaria Progress Report:
The Africa Malaria Progress Report is an annual publication prepared by the African Union Commission, African Leaders Malaria Alliance and RBM Partnership to End Malaria. It tracks progress against the AU Catalytic Framework targets, highlights challenges and threats to malaria elimination, and documents Member State actions to accelerate progress. The report is presented annually to Heads of State and Government at the African Union Summit.

About ALMA:
Founded in 2009, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) is a ground-breaking coalition of African Heads of State and Government working across country and regional borders to achieve a malaria-free Africa by 2030. www.alma2030.org

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