Acting on intelligence provided by the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), Zambian law enforcement agents raided a house in the capital Lusaka on Monday, March 9, 2026, and arrested nine Zambians, including an individual from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), allegedly involved in the illegal wildlife trade.
Officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) seized just under 550kg of ivory, which they found in the property, along with ivory seized in a follow-up operation.
Their action marks the successful conclusion to an operation that has been several months in the making and has disrupted an alleged international ivory trafficking syndicate operating with impunity across the Southern African region for many years.
Ivory tusks
“This operation is one small part of a broader initiative to address alleged organised criminal networks operating in the Southern African region, spanning many countries and involving many nationalities,” said EIA Executive Director, Mary Rice.
“But it demonstrates what can be achieved when intelligence-led investigations and information are applied in a targeted and strategic manner and we congratulate the DNPW for providing an excellent example of a strong enforcement response.”
EIA has been involved in investigating, documenting and exposing illegal wildlife trafficking networks operating across Africa for more than 40 years and wherever possible provides actionable intelligence to the relevant authorities to assist in the disruption of the criminal groups stealing their resources and exploiting weak governance and corrupt individuals involved in the trade.
“Unfortunately, Zambia has a long history of being exploited by criminal networks who have often operated with impunity and implicating the country in large ivory seizures as far back as 2002, so this decisive, well-executed operation is particularly welcome,” added Rice.
“These networks exploit any lack of political will and weak enforcement. They are facilitated by corrupt officials and marginalised communities who are criminalised to supply their trade and they have allegedly been orchestrating poaching expeditions into Botswana to source ivory, which they then traffic out through neighboring countries such as Namibia and Angola.”
EIA says it will be closely following the resulting legal action against the suspects.
A new European collaboration cluster, INVEST4CLIMATE, has been launched to strengthen innovative financing and investment strategies for climate adaptation and mitigation.
The initiative brings together three Horizon Europe projects, BLOSSOM, CLIMINVEST and RISE-IN, to bridge the gap between climate action, public policy, and financial investment.
By aligning research, testing innovative financial models, and working closely with cities and stakeholders, the cluster aims to accelerate the deployment of bankable climate solutions across Europe.
Birmingham, UK, where one of the demonstrations will take place
Funded from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and Horizon Europe, the collaboration aims to maximise the impact of European research and innovation funding by coordinating efforts across projects focused on climate finance, investment readiness, and the implementation of climate adaptation and mitigation solutions.
Climate action increasingly requires solutions that are environmentally effective but also financially viable and scalable. However, many promising climate initiatives struggle to move from concept to implementation due to gaps between public planning, technical innovation, and private investment. By working together as a cluster, the three projects will align methodologies, exchange knowledge, and strengthen connections between cities, financial actors, policymakers, and researchers.
The cluster brings together projects with distinct yet complementary approaches to enabling climate action through innovative financial and governance frameworks:
BLOSSOM focuses on creating a systemic approach to connect public authorities with private financial partners, including banks, insurers, and investors. Through Living Labs and Communities of Practice, the project develops and tests innovative financing schemes and investment models for climate adaptation and mitigation. Demonstrations will take place in Birmingham (UK), Lisbon (Portugal), and Kielce (Poland), with additional replication cases in other European regions.
CLIMINVEST contributes its expertise in mobilising sustainable finance for climate action. Focusing on bankable-by-design (BbD) solutions the project supports private investors and public authorities with the tools required to design climate adaptation projects that are both effective in impact and financially sustainable. CLIMINVEST demostrations will take place in Thessaly (Spain), Amathouda (Cyprus), with replicators in Asturias (Spain), Ventimiglia (Italy), and Trikala (Greece)
RISE-IN introduces a groundbreaking framework linking environmental resilience with financial viability. The project focuses on nature-based solutions for flood risk management and develops the Bankability Readiness Level (BRL), a novel metric designed to assess and enhance the investment potential of climate-resilient interventions. Using cities as living laboratories, RISE-IN will demonstrate its approach in Cesena (Italy), Christchurch (New Zealand), and Póvoa de Varzim (Portugal), with replication sites in Ghent (Belgium), Zhytomyr (Ukraine), and Kadıköy (Türkiye).
Through this collaboration, the cluster will promote joint knowledge exchange, coordinated outreach and dissemination activities, and shared engagement with stakeholders from the financial sector, local authorities, and innovation ecosystems. By aligning efforts across the projects, the initiative aims to support the development of practical pathways for financing climate solutions, helping cities and regions move from planning to implementation.
Ultimately, the cluster seeks to strengthen Europe’s capacity to deliver resilient, investment-ready climate solutions, ensuring that environmental innovation is supported by robust financial strategies and scalable models.
Armed with clipboards and cameras, the scientists from the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum climbed slowly up a steep hillside in Uljin, a county in the mountainous east of the Republic of Korea, inspecting and assessing small green trees that stood out amid a landscape charred by fire.
“Right here, the tree growing best is kalopanax,” team leader, Tae-Im Heo said, referring to Kalopanax septemlobus, a fast-growing species native to the Republic of Korea also known as the prickly castor oil tree.
“The reason we planted kalopanax is because the young shoots are harvested by residents as a wild edible plant,” she said. “Even in seemingly barren land, it grows well, helping restore the vegetation and also contributing to residents’ livelihoods.”
Firefighters for the Korea Forest Service perform a practice drill in Uljin. Photo credit: Todd Brown / UNEP
The holistic approach and future-proofing methods are at the heart of the Republic of Korea’s efforts to revitalize forests after fire. This has earned the country the status of a World Restoration Flagship, an award bestowed by the United Nations to inspire large-scale action to revive critical ecosystems around the globe.
“Devastating forest fires around the world are one of the most shocking demonstrations of how our climate is changing,” said Natalia Alekseeva, Coordinator of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). “Creative initiatives like this show that, by anticipating the future, restoration can give nature the resilience to keep delivering its priceless benefits for generations to come.”
A resilient approach
Fanned by drought and strong winds, the month-long blaze in Uljin destroyed an estimated 20,000 hectares of forest along with dozens of homes and farms before firefighters backed by soldiers and helicopters could bring it under control.
While no lives were lost, there was anguish over the harm done to the region’s famed red pine forests, especially in protected areas holding centuries-old specimens, and the matsutake mushrooms that grow among them – a national delicacy and an important source of income for many rural households.
The fire also triggered a debate about how to carry out restoration in a way that respects traditions and the needs of local people while making forests more resilient. While residents in Uljin wanted to re-plant the familiar and easily available but fire-prone pines, civil society groups pressed for a more ecological approach that addressed growing climate-driven risks.
“We started to see calls to move beyond a standard tree-planting approach to a more rational restoration method that takes the surrounding ecosystem into account,” said Shin Jaesoo, Deputy Director at the Korea Forest Service.
Meeting local needs
To find a solution, experts, civil society groups and residents joined government officials in a novel governance arrangement to design and steer the project. After completing a detailed assessment of the forest ecosystem and the damage it had suffered, the stakeholders jointly developed a five-year masterplan to revive about 4,700 hectares of forest with high conservation value by 2027.
A priority was re-vegetating areas left vulnerable to soil erosion and landslides, especially near residential areas, including with species favoured by residents including gingko and fir – work that was completed in 2023.
To protect the wider forest from future conflagrations, the plan also includes planting belts of fire-resistant native broad-leaved tree species. However, most of the land is being left to regenerate naturally, with scientists closely monitoring progress, reflecting how forest restoration in the country is shifting from single-species plantations toward more resilient approaches.
“Where recovery is slow or disaster risk is high, we plan to intervene ecologically and manage those spots,” Shin said.
The decision-making model adopted in Uljin has since been replicated in other fire-affected locations, including the Jirisan National Park in the south of the country, and Inwangsan Mountain Urban National Park in the capital, Seoul.
Sustaining impact
To generate enough seedlings for Uljin and other restoration areas, the Korea Forest Service has established two Native Plant Supply Centres, with four more planned. The centres produce saplings of resilient native species such as oak using seed gathered near the affected areas, meaning they are well adapted to local conditions. Local growers have been contracted to supplement production, creating jobs and income.
Authorities also aim to establish a National Uljin Forest Ecological Institute to support education, research and tourism related to restoration of forest fire–damaged areas and to raise awareness about fire prevention.
To further support local livelihoods, officials are also exploring and promoting alternative forest products, including tuckahoe, a fungus used in traditional medicine, as well as kalopanax.
Predicting the future
As the impact of climate change on forests and other ecosystems grows, Heo of the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum said it was vital to foster the fire-resistant forests of the future.
In Uljin, the institute has been tasked with monitoring the recovery of the vegetation and the survival rates of planted trees until at least 2037 – 10 years after the end of the active restoration phase – so that the approach can be adjusted, if necessary, and to deepen scientific understanding of what works best.
“Restoring this damaged land means we must walk a path no-one has gone before,” Heo said. “There’s no right answer. So, we need to try it in practice, evaluate it, and then be able to forecast what lies ahead.”
West Africa’s downstream petroleum sector is proving resilient in spite of escalating geopolitical tensions, industry leaders declared during a high-level webinar convened on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
The forum, hosted by Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) with S&P Global Energy, examined Middle East tensions, supply security risks, and Nigeria’s transition to a deregulated downstream regime.
According to the speakers, the global oil market remains fragile, with disruptions to Iranian output and threats around the Strait of Hormuz unsettling supply chains and pricing stability.
MEMAN Chairman, Huub Stokman, described the crisis as a “double-edged reality” shaping opportunities for producers while intensifying pressure on downstream operators and consumers.
“While it creates opportunities for producers, it exerts immense pressure on downstream operators and, ultimately, consumers,” Stokman said.
He noted rising volatility, surging shipping and insurance costs, and rapid shifts in sourcing as countries scrambled to secure alternative crude supplies.
According to him, Nigeria stands at a strategic crossroads, with potential to emerge as a reliable global energy partner if structural bottlenecks are addressed decisively.
He cited pipeline insecurity, regulatory opacity, and infrastructure deficits as key constraints limiting Nigeria’s ability to fully capitalise on current market dynamics.
He highlighted domestic refining growth, especially the Dangote Refinery, as a buffer against shocks, though warning of risks linked to supply concentration.
In spite of improvements, Stokman said domestic fuel prices remained tied to global trends, with adjustment delays often driven by inventory cycles and working capital pressures.
He disclosed that Nigeria maintained over 30 days of petrol supply, with NNPC Ltd. continuing to act as supplier of last resort.
From a global perspective, S&P Global’s Gary Clark warned refined product markets are tightening amid rising margins for diesel and jet fuel.
Clark attributed the surge to supply disruptions and heightened risk premiums, alongside costly vessel diversions around the Cape of Good Hope.
He said these detours were tightening supply further and inflating freight costs, particularly across European markets already under strain.
Stanislas Drochon, Head of Fuels and Refining, S&P Global Energy, warned Sub-Saharan Africa remained highly vulnerable due to import dependence, weak refining capacity, and limited storage infrastructure.
“Energy security is not just about supply. It is about reliability, affordability, and accessibility, requiring sustained investment across the entire value chain,” Drochon said.
On Nigeria’s deregulation path, Joe Nwakwue, CEO, Zera Advisory and Consulting Ltd., described the shift as necessary but turbulent, marked by price volatility and structural realignment.
He said expanding domestic refining would not shield prices from international benchmarks, stressing the need for a transparent and competitive market framework.
The session, moderated by MEMAN Executive Secretary, Clement Isong, ended with consensus that resilience will depend on policy consistency and infrastructure investment.
Participants agreed that while short-term volatility is inevitable, Nigeria’s reforms could transform uncertainty into long-term stability and growth.
The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Roberto Mengoni, says Nigeria ranks among the world’s most dynamic urban environments, driven by rapid city growth, innovation, and expanding opportunities in architecture and design sectors.
He added that the country’s cities were also witnessing increased focus on sustainable urban development, creating new possibilities for infrastructure expansion, improved living standards, and innovative solutions to evolving urban challenges.
Mengoni made this known on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Abuja at the inaugural Italian Design Day, organised with the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA).
Roberto Mengoni, Italian Ambassador to Nigeria; Yemi Shola-Adebiyi, Chairperson, Nigerian Institute of Architects; with staff and students of University of Abuja, Nile University of Nigeria, and Baze University Abuja
He said initiatives like Italian Design Day enabled the embassy to showcase a key element of Italian culture, highlighting the country’s longstanding tradition of excellence in architecture, design, and creative industries globally.
Mengoni added that the event promoted dialogue beyond Italy, noting the country’s global reputation in architecture and design built on a unique blend of creativity, craftsmanship, and strong industrial collaboration over decades.
He noted that Italian architects, designers, and companies had consistently collaborated to produce buildings and objects that combined functionality, innovation, and aesthetic value, setting global standards across architecture, interior, and industrial design sectors.
Citing Renzo Piano, he said architecture carried responsibility, stressing that rapid urbanisation worldwide presented complex challenges, including sustainability, housing deficits, mobility concerns, and the need to improve quality public spaces in cities.
He said countries like Nigeria were central to the global shift, as cities such as Abuja and Lagos continued expanding while emerging as hubs of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Yemi Shola-Adebiyi, Chairperson of NIA, said the collaboration offered students valuable international exposure, enabling engagement with renowned Italian architects during the programme.
She added that the initiative also strengthened professional learning through direct interaction and shared expertise, enhancing students’ knowledge, skills, and global perspective in architecture and related design fields.
She added that the initiative equipped students with practical knowledge and skills gained during the three-day event, while fostering collaboration and professional exchange between Nigerian students and visiting architects from Italy.
According to her, the programme is a welcome development and marks the first time the Italian Design Day is being hosted in Abuja, providing a platform to build meaningful partnerships and creative synergies.
She explained that although the event was in its tenth edition and usually held in Lagos, stakeholders ensured it was brought to Abuja to extend its benefits to architecture students in the capital.
Shola-Adebiyi said the first day featured a masterclass involving university students already mentored by the institute, adding that established mentorship programmes ensured continuous training and early professional development for aspiring architects.
She explained that mentors engaged students during their academic years to strengthen their skills before internships, noting that earlier evaluation methods had limited impact compared to the current hands-on mentorship approach adopted by the institute.
The report added that visiting architects from Parasite 2.0 Studio delivered presentations exploring the transformation of temporary spaces into permanent architectural solutions, highlighting innovative and experimental design approaches.
Students later engaged the visiting architects in interactive sessions, asking questions and exchanging ideas, while participants included students from University of Abuja, Nile University of Nigeria, and Baze University Abuja.
Environment stakeholders have called for stronger collaboration, policy enforcement and public participation to improve waste management in Lagos State.
The call was made at the 2026 Forum of the Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria (PEWAN) on Wednesday, March 18, in Lagos.
In her welcome address, PEWAN Chairman, Mrs. Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie, stressed the need for improved funding, effective monitoring and community participation in waste reduction efforts.
L-R: Executive Director, Finance, LAWMA, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, PEWAN Chairman, Mrs Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie; Dr Olugbenga Adebola, President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN); and Comrade Friday Oky, President, Asspciation of Scraps and Waste Pickers of Lagos (ASWOL), at the PEWAN 2026 Forum, in Lagos
Iroegbu-Chikezie emphasised that partnerships with the private sector and local communities were critical to improving waste management outcomes and enhancing quality of life.
The Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said managing waste requires shared responsibility among government, operators and residents.
Gbadegesin, represented by the Executive Director, Finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, described waste management as critical to public health, environmental sustainability and flood control.
He said over 450 Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators handle household waste collection across the state under LAWMA’s regulatory framework.
According to him, indiscriminate dumping and patronage of illegal cart pushers undermine waste management efforts and contribute to flooding.
He added that Lagos was promoting waste sorting, recycling and resource recovery to improve efficiency and create economic value.
Also speaking, Dr Olugbenga Adebola, the President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), stressed the need for sustained collaboration among stakeholders.
Adebola described waste management as a collective responsibility, noting that effective waste handling was directly linked to public health and environmental safety.
He explained that poor waste management contributes to diseases such as malaria, cholera and lassa fever through blocked drainage, pest infestation and environmental pollution.
Adebola warned that open burning of waste releases toxic and carcinogenic substances, posing serious health risks, including respiratory illnesses and cancer.
He also highlighted the dangers of plastic waste, noting that mismanaged plastics break down into microplastics that contaminate water bodies and enter the food chain.
Adebola said Lagos generates over 20,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, driven by rapid urbanisation and population growth.
He identified key challenges as inadequate infrastructure, weak policy implementation, poor waste segregation and limited funding.
According to him, inefficient landfill systems and lack of functional material recovery facilities further limit effective waste processing.
He called for increased investment in waste infrastructure, including modern recycling systems and material recovery facilities.
Adebola also advocated the formalisation of informal waste collectors to improve efficiency and inclusiveness in the waste management value chain.
He urged government to provide enabling policies and long-term financing to attract private sector participation in the industry.
He stressed the need for consistent policy implementation and public education to promote responsible waste disposal practices.
The stakeholders expressed optimism that outcomes from the forum would support efforts to achieve a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos.
They also urged continuous engagement among key actors to address environmental challenges in the state.
The Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, inducted 250 students as Green Ambassadors, to promote environmental responsibility at border communities and its environs.
Speaking at the inauguration under the Sustainability and Green Border Initiative in Idiroko, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, the COWA National President, said the inducted ambassadors were expected to enhance environmental practices within COWA communities.
Adeniyi said that the ambassadors are being encouraged to embark on impactful actions like planting trees, maintaining clean surroundings, and enhancing responsible environmental practices.
Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) National President
She disclosed that the COWA School Idiroko has been honoured to become the first Green Borders Eco-School under the Adopt-a-School Campaign.
According to her, across the world, communities are facing environmental challenges that affects how people live, learn and grow.
Adeniyi decried the situation in which flooding destroys homes, plastic waste pollutes land and water, and rising temperatures affect health and agriculture.
She maintained that the most powerful agents of change are often the young people, noting that when a child learns to plant a tree, that child becomes a protector of nature.
“The future of our environment sits in classrooms and that is why this campaign focuses on schools.
“When a school becomes environmentally responsible, an entire community begins to change.” she said.
Adeniyi urged the ambassadors to pick up waste instead of ignoring it, protect trees instead of damaging them, and keep their environment clean.
In his Welcome address, Mr. Olukayode Afeni, the Area Comptroller, NCS, Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko, said that the Green Border Initiative aligned perfectly with global and national efforts for promoting environmental responsibility.
Afeni added that the programme also complements the operational objectives of the command.
An Artificial Intelligence (AI) research expert, Prof. Charles Adetunji, says AI can make Nigeria’s decentralised solar mini-grids smarter, cheaper, and more reliable, directly improving rural electrification.
Adetunji said this in an interview on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Abuja.
“AI can transform Nigeria’s decentralised solar mini-grids by enabling smarter energy distribution, proactive maintenance, and demand forecasting, helping communities achieve reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity access,’’ he said.
A solar mini-grid system
According to him, AI can also optimise grid performance, reduce costs, and ensure that limited resources were used efficiently, especially in areas where traditional grid expansion is not feasible.
Reacting to key roles AI can play in the solar mini-grids, Adetunji said AI’s procedures or algorithms could predict peak demand and adjust supply accordingly, preventing blackouts.
He explained that AI could introduce flexible tariffs, encouraging efficient energy use in rural communities, and ensuring that batteries are charged and discharged optimally, extending lifespan and reducing replacement costs.
The expert clarified that AI could analyse sensor data to detect early signs of equipment failure, which include solar panels, inverters, and batteries.
“Predictive models allow operators to fix issues before they disrupt power supply, and prevent expensive emergency repairs as well as extend infrastructure lifespan,’’ he said.
According to Adetunji, AI learns from historical consumption data to forecast future demand.
He said AI could predict changes in energy needs during farming seasons, festivals, or school terms.
He further said that AI could help developers design mini-grids that match community growth.
‘The key is pairing AI with strong local capacity building and affordable financing models to ensure communities benefit sustainably,’’ he said.
Circularity Africa, a sustainability, climate and environmental organisation, has empowered 145 waste recovery officers in commemoration of the 2026 World Recycling Day.
The founder and Managing Director of the group, Mr. Seunfunmi Ogungbure, said on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the handover of the recycling equipment to the officers that the initiative would tackle the plastic population in Lagos State.
Ogungbure said the empowerment of the waste materials recovery officers was aimed at preventing marine litter, plastic pollution and plastics waste from getting into the marine water bodies.
Participants at the engagement to commemorate the 2026 World Recycling Day
“So, today we are distributing recycling equipment to 145 material recovery officers who are members of the communities that we are serving.
“As part of efforts to reach the underserved and unreached communities, we are setting up about 54 new community recycling collection clusters in Nigeria within the local government.
“And the idea is to create a system that would help address the critical issues that are confronting the community such as the economy and perception about waste, which is also driven by their economic capacity.
“People have a mentality of why should they pay to clear their waste when they can’t feed themselves? So, it becomes a secondary or a non-consideration at all when it comes to waste management for them.
“Hence, our initiative, recycling, gives them the opportunity to not just address their economic needs, but also address the waste management challenges that they are confronted with. And that is why this initiative is being implemented today,” Ogungbure said.
He said the initiative was in partnership with the German Federal Ministry of Environment and Nuclear Safety.
He said the project would centre on how to prevent marine litter, plastic pollution and plastics waste from getting into the marine water bodies.
“So, we are working in Calabar and Lagos State and in Lagos we are working with Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area because it is bordering the Atlantic directly.
“If you just look down the Tincan Port and then the Nigerian Ports Authority, and from there, it’s straight up into the Atlantic ocean.
“So, whatever waste gets into the ocean from here goes straight into the Atlantic. So, what we’re doing keys into that project, the goal of the project is to address and arrest the waste before it gets to the canals and then onward into the ocean.
“So, this project is building, it’s providing community recycling clusters, which consists of sizable kiosks which serves as a cluster point, managed by the material recovery officers we are empowering today,” he said.
The Global Recycling Day, celebrated annually on March 18, promotes the importance of recycling to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and combat climate change.
The day aims to change the global mind-set to view waste as a valuable resource, encouraging the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and highlighting the role of recycling in a circular economy.
Circularity Africa provides raw material sourcing for recycling and manufacturing companies. It also manage ESG projects and programmes, sustainability reports for businesses.
The group builds systems in local, underserved and unreached communities and municipal communities to address waste management issues, promoting behavioural culturing, especially when it comes to handling waste post-consumption.
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), in partnership with ASKY Airlines and Plan International Togo, hosted the “Girls in Aviation Day” initiative on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport in Lomé, in commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026.
The landmark event offered 20 girls a meaningful and immersive learning experience aimed at increasing their exposure to professional opportunities in aviation, aerospace, and other science and technology fields.
Participants at the ‘Girls in Aviation Day’ empowerment initiative
The joint initiative reaffirmed the partners’ commitment to gender inclusion, youth empowerment, and expanding girls’ access to emerging career paths in underrepresented sectors. Through tours, interactive sessions, and hands‑on activities, the girls gained firsthand insight into airport operations, from terminal and baggage systems to cockpit procedures and air traffic control.
Speaking on behalf of EBID, Mr. Hughes Goa, Director of Private Sector Operations, highlighted the importance of investing in young women to build a more resilient and inclusive workforce in the ECOWAS region. He reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to empowering girls through education, mentorship, and career exposure as part of its people‑centered development mandate.
The initiative also supports EBID’s upcoming adoption of the “Gender Equality for Public Institutions” Seal in partnership with UNDP and the ECOWAS Commission.
At the ASKY Desk, Commercial Director, Mr. Daté Tévi-Bénissan, stressed the need for a diverse talent pipeline in aviation and underscored the importance of greater female representation in technical and managerial roles. He reaffirmed ASKY Airlines’ commitment to promoting women’s participation across the sector.
Plan International Togo, the initiative’s technical partner, welcomed the programme as a key platform for helping girls to build confidence and leadership skills. The organisation reiterated its dedication to creating safe, inclusive spaces that encourage girls from all backgrounds to broaden their ambitions and explore a wide range of career opportunities.
Through this joint initiative, EBID, ASKY, and Plan International Togo reaffirmed their collective vision: to promote gender equality, foster human capital development, and empower the next generation of women leaders across West Africa.
