The United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) have intensified efforts to align the African Union’s Agenda 2063 with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda 2030.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Ms. Botho Bayendi, Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Delivery at the AU Commission, said this in a statement by the United Nations Economic Commission for African (UNECA).
Bayendi said the initiative, called ”Two Agendas, One Framework”, aimed to harmonise Africa’s long-term development plan with global SDGs for more effective implementation at national levels.
She spoke on the sidelines of the ongoing 11th Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, which commenced on April 7, 2025, and expected to end on the 12 in Addis Ababa.
The meeting is themed ”Accelerating Transformation through the Implementation of Agenda 2063’s Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) alongside the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
Bayendi said that realities on ground demanded increased cooperation between the UN and the AU as both institutions target the same development indicators.
Similarly, Said Adejumobi, Director, Strategic Planning, Oversight and Results Division (SPORD) at UNECA, said Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 had an 80 per cent convergence rate, necessitating joint efforts for effective implementation.
Adejumobi added that the UN system, through its Resident Coordinators in every African country, would drive national-level implementation of the STYIP in line with the ”Two Agendas, One Framework” approach.
Mr. Yacoub El-Hillo, Regional Director of the UN Development Coordination Office (DCO), praised the AU-UN collaboration.
He cited the ”College-to-College” strategic approach, a joint coordination mechanism in peace, security, development, and humanitarian sectors as a key achievement.
According to El-Hillo, the partnership holds significant promise for the continent’s 1.5 billion people, reinforcing the need for unified action.
In his remarks Amb. Maes Ennio of Côte d’Ivoire, representing Agenda 2063 Champion, President Alhassan Ouattara, said the synergy between the UN and AU could form the basis for Africa’s transformation.
“The 2018 Memorandum of Understanding signed between UN Secretary-General António Guterres and AU Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat remains a cornerstone of the joint efforts toward harmonising Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030.
“This side event also aims to facilitate the integration of STYIP priorities into the UN Country Teams’ Common Country Analyses (CCAs) and Cooperation Frameworks (CFs).
“This will further ensure alignment of national development plans with both Agendas,” he said.
The meeting brought together all UN Resident Coordinators across Africa, along with key development partners.
It was jointly organised by the AUC, UNECA, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), AUDA-NEPAD, and the UN Development Coordination Office (DCO), under the Technical Working Group for the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP).
The STYIP outlines Africa’s development vision from 2024 to 2033 and is designed to align with the UN’s global development goals as part of efforts to harmonise national development plans across member states.
The Dire Wolf, an extinct animal made famous in the TV series “Game of Thrones’’, has been brought back from extinction after more than 10,000 years, a biotech start-up has announced.
Dire Wolf
Texas Company, Colossal Biosciences, has said that its researchers had used cloning and gene-editing based on two ancient samples of dire wolf DNA to birth three modern dire wolf pups.
It included two six-month-old males named Romulus and Remus and a three-month-old female named Khaleesi.
Colossal’s chief executive, Ben Lamm, called the development a “massive milestone.”
“I could not be more proud of the team. This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works.
“Our team took DNA from a 13,000 year old tooth and a 72,000 year old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies.
“It was once said, any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
“Today, our team gets to unveil some of the magic they are working on and its broader impact on conservation,’’ he said in a statement.
Researchers at Colossal explained the de-extinction process involved taking blood cells from a living grey wolf, the dire wolf’s closest living relative, and genetically modifying them in 20 different sites.
The genetic material was transferred to an egg cell from a domestic dog, then the embryos were transferred to surrogate for gestation and, finally, successful birth.
Dr Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s Chief Science Officer, said: “Our novel approach to iteratively improved our ancient genome in the absence of a perfect reference sets a new standard for paleogenome reconstruction.
“Together with improved approaches to recover ancient DNA, these computational advances allowed us to resolve the evolutionary history of dire wolves and establish the genomic foundation for de-extinction.
“It’s specifically for selecting with confidence dire wolf specific genetic variants that establish our targets for gene editing.”
Distinctive traits of the dire wolf included light thick fur and muscular jaws, while they are also much larger than grey wolves.
Colossal said the animals would live their lives on a continuously monitored, secure ecological preserve that is certified by the American Humane Society and registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The dire wolf is a mainstay of fantasy settings in pop culture, with mentions in role-playing games like “Dungeons & Dragons’’ and video games like “World of Warcraft.’’
However, the vehicle which truly shot dire wolves to fame was the HBO series “Game of Thrones”, based on the works of author George RR Martin.
Mr. Martin, an investor in Colossal and cultural adviser for the company, said, “Many people view dire wolves as mythical creatures that only exist in a fantasy world.
“But in reality, they have a rich history of contributing to the American ecosystem.
“I get the luxury to write about magic, but Ben and Colossal have created magic by bringing these majestic beasts back to our world.”
Colossal also announced it had cloned four red wolves using blood drawn from wild wolves of the south-eastern U.S.’s critically endangered red wolf population.
The aim was to bring more genetic diversity into the small population of captive red wolves, which scientists are using to breed and help save the species.
The Federal Government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are set to commence implementation of agro-industrial projects in Kaduna and Calabar to boost food security in the country.
African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Akinwumi Adesina
The AfDB in a statement said it would kickstart the construction of the $538 million Phase 1 Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme in Kaduna on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
According to the statement, Vice President Kashim Shettima and African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, will attend the event which will be hosted by Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani.
It said the AfDB president would then move to Cross River, where the Federal Government and Gov. Bassey Otu would lead another groundbreaking event in Calabar.
The SAPZ Phase 1 programmme is spread across eight locations including Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Cross River, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Inaugurated in 2022, the initiative received $210 million from the AfDB, with support from the Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms.
The statement says the programme aims to increase food production, reduce imports, create jobs, and transform rural areas into productive economic zones.
It also said that, in 2023, Nigeria spent $4.7 billion importing food, adding that the SAPZ is designed to reverse this by boosting local production and strengthening value chains.
“The project will enhance agricultural productivity by more than 60 per cent, reduce post-harvest losses, and support agro-processing from farm to market.
“Kaduna and Cross River will host agro-industrial hubs, transformation centers, and aggregation facilities as part of the programme’s core infrastructure.
“Kaduna will focus on maize, soybeans, ginger, and tomatoes, while Cross River targets cocoa, cassava, and rice production,” it said.
It further said that the sites were located near key universities like Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Calabar to tap into research and skilled manpower.
“Each participating state is expected to generate more than 60,000 jobs, according to project estimates.
“Several federal and state officials, along with development partners, are expected to attend the ceremonies to mark this major step in agricultural development,” the statement added.
Cutting funding for emergency food assistance could result in a death sentence for millions of people, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Monday, April 7, 2025.
Cindy McCain, Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP)
The organisation said it was deeply concerned by recent notifications from the United States (U.S.) indicating it had terminated emergency food assistance in 14 countries.
“If implemented, this could amount to a death sentence for millions of people facing extreme hunger and starvation,’’ the organisation wrote on X.
WFP was in contact with the U.S. administration to “seek clarification and to urge for continued support for these life-saving programmes,’’ it added.
Executive director, Cindy McCain, urged world leaders to weigh the consequences of aid cuts.
“Continued cuts to WFP’s emergency operations will deepen hunger, fuel instability, and make the world far less safe.
“With conflicts and extreme hunger surging, pulling support doesn’t just cost lives, it undermines global stability,’’ she wrote on X.
The U.S. was WFP’s largest donor in 2024, contributing $4.5 billion.
However, under President Donald Trump, the U.S. has cut spending on international humanitarian aid.
The government began dismantling the development agency USAID in early February and has shut down numerous programmes.
Globally, subnational governments are emerging as powerful agents of climate action. When national leadership falters or political shifts threaten climate policy continuity, state and local governments often step in to fill the void. As global climate governance evolves, the importance of subnational commitments is becoming increasingly evident. From integrating climate finance at the state level to fostering grassroots participation in international agreements, subnational entities play a crucial role in addressing climate challenges.
Timothy Ogenyi
While Nigeria has made significant strides in developing national climate policies and aligning with international climate frameworks, the success of these efforts hinges on subnational engagement. Translating national policies into tangible results requires integrating climate considerations into state-level governance structures.
Subnational governments, particularly state administrations, are pivotal in implementing climate strategies, given their proximity to communities and unique understanding of regional challenges. This underscores the urgent need to mainstream subnational climate governance as a core component of Nigeria’s climate action roadmap.
State governments, with their deep understanding of regional geography, economies, and social landscapes, are uniquely positioned to design and implement policies tailored to local environmental challenges. Their proximity to communities allows for targeted solutions, rapid policy execution, and meaningful grassroots engagement – essential components for effective climate governance.
The 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku reinforced this notion, highlighting the need for climate action beyond the national stage. As climate challenges intensify, the ability to drive impactful solutions increasingly rests in the hands of subnational governments. States and regions are better placed to implement policies that reflect local realities while aligning with national and global climate goals.
One of COP29’s pivotal outcomes was the introduction of the New Quantified Climate Finance Goal (NCQG), which seeks to increase access to climate finance for subnational entities. This presents Nigerian states with an opportunity to engage directly with international funding mechanisms, circumventing traditional federal bottlenecks.
Additionally, the strengthening of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement – focused on carbon markets – ensures the protection of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This development creates new pathways for subnational governments to participate in carbon trading, further supporting climate initiatives at the local level.
These mechanisms offer Nigerian states critical opportunities to secure funding, foster inclusive projects, and leverage indigenous knowledge and local innovation to build climate resilience. To capitalise on this momentum, states must develop robust frameworks for accessing and managing climate finance.
For Nigeria to meet its climate goals, state governments must not only align with national policies but also address the unique needs and vulnerabilities of their local populations. The success of national climate strategies depends on effective implementation at the subnational level. Strengthening subnational climate governance requires several key actions:
1. Integrating Climate Education into School Curricula
Building awareness and capacity from an early age is vital. Climate education can equip future generations with the knowledge and skills to engage in sustainable practices, fostering a long-term commitment to climate action.
2. Coordinating State Climate Action Plans with National Policies
Aligning state-level initiatives with federal frameworks ensures coherence, prevents duplication, and maximises the impact of climate efforts. A well-coordinated approach will bridge the gap between national ambitions and local realities.
3. Enhancing Climate Finance and Budgeting
Transparent budgeting and resource allocation at the state level are critical to advancing climate initiatives. Clearly defined climate budgets ensure that funds are directed to the most vulnerable sectors and communities, improving efficiency and accountability.
4. Fostering Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
Partnerships among governments, communities, NGOs, and businesses enhance innovation, resource-sharing, and the effective implementation of climate projects. Facilitating knowledge exchange between states can also accelerate progress by scaling successful initiatives nationwide.
5. Engaging Local Communities in Climate Resilience Approaches
Involving communities in climate planning and implementation fosters ownership, ensuring that climate actions reflect local priorities and drive meaningful, lasting change.
Nigeria’s climate governance structure requires subnational participation to complement federal efforts. While federal policies such as the Climate Change Act, the NDC and the Energy Transition Plan outline ambitious goals, the absence of complementary subnational frameworks weakens their implementation.
This misalignment hinders Nigeria’s capacity to meet its climate targets and underscores the need for coordinated action between federal and state governments. In essence, the absence of subnational strategies reflects broader systemic issues. National climate action plans cannot succeed in isolation. A bottom-up approach, where local and state-level actors contribute to shaping national policies, is essential for comprehensive and sustainable progress.
A major challenge facing subnational climate governance is the lack of political will, awareness, and funding. Addressing these gaps requires proactive investment in state-level governance structures and policies. Nigeria must recognise that its climate future starts at the state level. By developing and implementing region-specific climate action plans aligned with national objectives, subnational governments can serve as catalysts for meaningful progress.
Without structured subnational frameworks, Nigeria risks falling behind in meeting its climate targets. Effective climate governance at the national level relies heavily on integrating subnational perspectives into policy-making and development planning. However, the limited presence of administrative structures and dedicated climate institutions at the state level remains a significant barrier. Without subnational frameworks, national climate strategies risk becoming abstract concepts with minimal real-world impact.
Nigeria’s federated governance system demands that subnational initiatives complement and reinforce federal efforts. Climate change is primarily felt at the grassroots level, making subnational action a necessity for meaningful progress. By bridging the disconnect between national and state-level policies, fostering local innovation, and ensuring access to climate finance, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its states to drive impactful climate action.
Through a state-driven process, we can begin to strengthen state governments’ commitments and effectiveness to align with national and international climate goals. Rarely is there a successful national climate action without a subnational clear vision statement reflecting the commitment to climate action, green growth and sustainable development through a bottom-up approach from the local and state-level collaboration.
Nigeria can build a resilient climate governance ecosystem that aligns with federal and international objectives by empowering state governments to craft climate policies and develop green growth subnational strategies.
By Timothy Ogenyi, a climate governance expert and senior policy analyst at the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP)
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and thunderstorms from Tuesday, April 8 to Thursday, April 10, 2025, across the country.
Thundery weather
NiMet’s weather outlook released on Monday, April 7 in Abuja, envisaged sunny skies on Tuesday across the northern region throughout the forecast period.
According to NiMet, sunny skies with patches of clouds are anticipated over the North Central region with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara and Kogi states during the afternoon or evening hours.
“In the South, there are chances of morning thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa states,” it said.
The agency anticipated sunny skies across the northern region on Wednesday, with chances of morning thunderstorms over southern Taraba State.
It predicted sunny skies with patches of clouds over the North Central region with prospects of afternoon or evening thunderstorms over parts of the FCT, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara and Kogi states.
“In the South, cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are anticipated with chances of morning thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
“In the afternoon or evening hours, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Edo, Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta states,” it said.
According to NiMet, sunny skies are expected across the northern region on Thursday throughout the forecast period.
It envisaged sunny skies with patches of clouds over the North Central region with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau and Nasarawa states in the afternoon or evening period.
“In the South, cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are anticipated with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states during the morning hours.
” Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Oyo, Ondo, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Rivers States,” it said.
The agency advised the public to stay in well-ventilated, cool spaces and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated as temperatures were high over most parts of the country, putting people at risk of heat stress.
It also urged the public to get vaccinated against meningitis, practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly, and avoid overcrowding in small spaces.
“Use a nose mask to reduce chances of infection and avoid close contact with those affected.
“Avoid peak sun hours (12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) and protect yourselves from undue exposure to direct sunlight.
“Strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, public should take adequate precaution.
“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective pplanning of their operations.
“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website: www.nimet.gov.ng,” it said.
The Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) has called for an enabling environment for its members to deliver efficient and effective waste management in the state.
Mr. Olugbenga Adebola, President of Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN)
Mr. Olugbenga Adebola, President of AWAMN, who made the call in an interview on Monday, April 7, 2025, in Lagos, said effective and efficient waste management require the commitment and collaboration of government and the Private Sector Participants (PSPs) operators.
He added that the duo should sit down and chart a course to remove the challenges in the waste management value chain.
Adebola commended the Lagos State Government (LASG), through the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), for committing to the provision of compactor trucks to PSPs on the lease to own model.
“We would like to thank the LASG and the Managing Director of LAWMA who has graciously announced to the whole world that they are buying compacting trucks on the lease for PSP operators.
“I think it is a good gesture. However, I want to say, regrettably, that this is not the only solution to effective and efficient waste management, perhaps, 10 to 15 per cent.
“Having an effective and efficient waste management system operating in Lagos State goes beyond just the purchase of trucks for the PSP owners on the lease to own.
“Around Oct 2023, we did a comprehensive letter to the government, identifying some of the problems militating against effective and efficient waste management in the state.
As professionals, ours is to identify some of these problems and perhaps find solution,” Adebola said.
He noted that the association in November 2024 wrote another letter reminding them that the issues were still not resolved.
We explained to the government that if we are able to attend to some of the raised issues, we would have made some progress.
“Here we are with the narrative of trucks for lease, we don’t know what make the would-be trucks are made of.
“The current truck that is being used by LAWMA, which were purchased from Sino trucks, we co-designed the truck to tell them the size of the engine, because of the diesel we have in Nigeria.
“While the whole world is using Euro 10, Euro 12 and Euro 13, in Nigeria, we can’t use that, and we sat down with the manufacturers to tell them the kind of diesel engine we can use in Nigeria.
“We told them how low bed it could be, why they can also build a back for the attendants to sit; so we solved the problem of hanging at the back of the truck. These are the things we did with the previous truck.
“We should really be part of this new arrangement, more so, since these trucks are coming on a lease, which means that you own by paying, it is not a free of charge thing.
“If we are going to pay for it, the operators need to be involved to be able to have something that would suit us.
“How long lasting, how sustaining are those trucks, are they CNG trucks, are they trucks that are going to run on diesel, what chassis are they made of?
“We don’t know all of these; so we are reading it on the pages of newspapers,” Adebola said.
According to him, the trucks are not the solution to the challenges in the sector.
“If you are getting a lease to own truck, what mechanism is in place to ensure that you also have an effective and total cost recovery?
“How are you able to recoup and recover savings to be able to pay for the truck, otherwise it would turn into a bad debt.
“With the current charges that is prevalent in the state, I am afraid, you cannot break even,” Adebola said.
He noted that enabling environment would begin with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and the PSPs.
“If am investing huge sum of money, how long will it take me to recoup such money with reasonable profit and then pay back such a loan?
“What mechanism is in place that ensures every waste generator actually pays for waste disposal and where it is known that this is the lowest of the lowest of the economy, then government must come in.
“Right now, a lot of operators who went to bank and got loan of 27 to 33 per cent cannot repay back, and this is not the type of funding that can support effective and efficient waste management.
“You need green funding, some will be grant, some will be single digit interest loan, but above all, it must be long term.
“If you go outside the country, people that are into this type of business are getting loan at three, four or five per cent interest and sometimes the tenure is over 20 years.
“You cannot go to a commercial bank in Nigeria and get such a loan,” Adebola said.
He added that waste managers are essential service providers, stressing the need for a special funding either from the state or from the Federal Government.
Women today are more likely than ever to survive pregnancy and childbirth according to a major new report released on Monday, April 7, 2025, but United Nations (UN) agencies highlight the threat of major backsliding as unprecedented aid cuts take effect around the world.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Photo credit: AFP / FABRICE COFFRINI / Getty Images
Released on World Health Day, the UN report, Trends in maternal mortality, shows a 40% global decline in maternal deaths between 2000 and 2023 – largely due to improved access to essential health services. Still, the report reveals that the pace of improvement has slowed significantly since 2016, and that an estimated 260,000 women died in 2023 as a result of complications from pregnancy or childbirth – roughly equivalent to one maternal death every two minutes.
The report comes as humanitarian funding cuts are having severe impacts on essential health care in many parts of the world, forcing countries to roll back vital services for maternal, newborn and child health. These cuts have led to facility closures and loss of health workers, while also disrupting supply chains for lifesaving supplies and medicines such as treatments for haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia and malaria – all leading causes of maternal deaths.
Without urgent action, the agencies warn that pregnant women in multiple countries will face severe repercussions – particularly those in humanitarian settings where maternal deaths are already alarmingly high.
“While this report shows glimmers of hope, the data also highlights how dangerous pregnancy still is in much of the world today despite the fact that solutions exist to prevent and treat the complications that cause the vast majority of maternal deaths,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO). “In addition to ensuring access to quality maternity care, it will be critical to strengthen the underlying health and reproductive rights of women and girls – factors that underpin their prospects of healthy outcomes during pregnancy and beyond.”
The report also provides the first global account of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on maternal survival. In 2021, an estimated 40 000 more women died due to pregnancy or childbirth – increasing to 322 000 from 282 000 the previous year. This upsurge was linked not only to direct complications caused by COVID-19, but also widespread interruptions to maternity services. This highlights the importance of ensuring such care during pandemics and other emergencies, noting that pregnant women need reliable access to routine services and checks as well as round-the-clock urgent care.
“When a mother dies in pregnancy or childbirth, her baby’s life is also at risk. Too often, both are lost to causes we know how to prevent,” said UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell. “Global funding cuts to health services are putting more pregnant women at risk, especially in the most fragile settings, by limiting their access to essential care during pregnancy and the support they need when giving birth. The world must urgently invest in midwives, nurses, and community health workers to ensure every mother and baby has a chance to survive and thrive.”
The report highlights persistent inequalities between regions and countries, as well as uneven progress. With maternal mortality declining by around 40% between 2000 and 2023, sub-Saharan Africa achieved significant gains – and was one of just three UN regions alongside Australia and New Zealand, and Central and Southern Asia, to see significant drops after 2015. However, confronting high rates of poverty and multiple conflicts, the sub-Saharan Africa region still counted for approximately 70% of the global burden of maternal deaths in 2023.
Indicating slowing progress, maternal mortality stagnated in five regions after 2015: Northern Africa and Western Asia, Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand), Europe and North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Access to quality maternal health services is a right, not a privilege, and we all share the urgent responsibility to build well-resourced health systems that safeguard the life of every pregnant woman and newborn,” said Dr Natalia Kanem, UNFPA’s Executive Director. “By boosting supply chains, the midwifery workforce, and the disaggregated data needed to pinpoint those most at risk, we can and must end the tragedy of preventable maternal deaths and their enormous toll on families and societies.”
Pregnant women living in humanitarian emergencies face some of the highest risks globally, according to the report.Nearly two-thirds of global maternal deaths now occur in countries affected by fragility or conflict. For women in these settings, the risks are staggering: a 15-year-old girl faces a 1 in 51 risk of dying from a maternal cause at some point over her lifetime compared to 1 in 593 in more stable countries. The highest risks are in Chad and the Central African Republic (1 in 24), followed by Nigeria (1 in 25), Somalia (1 in 30), and Afghanistan (1 in 40).
Beyond ensuring critical services during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period, the report notes the importance of efforts to enhance women’s overall health by improving access to family planning services, as well as preventing underlying health conditions like anaemias, malaria and noncommunicable diseases that increase risks. It will also be critical to ensure girls stay in school and that women and girls have the knowledge and resources to protect their health.
Urgent investment is needed to prevent maternal deaths. The world is currently off-track to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal target for maternal survival. Globally, the maternal mortality ratio would need to fall by around 15% each year to meet the 2030 target – significantly increasing from current annual rates of decline of around 1.5%.
The Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr Natalia Kanem, says since 2000, the world has witnessed a remarkable 40 per cent drop in global maternal mortality.
Dr Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of the UNFPA
She disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday on the occasion of World Health Day 2025, celebrated globally on April 7.
The World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated under the sponsorship of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other related organisations.
The year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health is titled “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”.
It is expected to urge governments and the health community to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritise women’s longer-term health and well-being.
Kanem said that, for the first time, no country was estimated to have an “extremely high” maternal mortality rate of more than 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births.
“Globally, women’s health during pregnancy and childbirth is better than ever before.
“This is owing to medical advances, and because more women have control over their reproductive choices and can access respectful, high-quality maternal care.”
She, however, noted that the gains masked significant disparities, remaining fragile and, in some of the most vulnerable areas, non-existent.
Kanem stated that in areas where health systems are weak or protracted crises take root, maternal mortality rates stagnate or even increase.
“In conflict-affected countries, women are twice as likely or more to die from pregnancy and childbirth complications than the global average.
“One encouraging sign is that more births today take place in healthcare facilities. Still, the quality of care varies widely, which can have life-threatening consequences.
“Research finds that poor-quality care causes half of maternal deaths and shortages in essential medicines, equipment and skilled personnel plague many health systems.”
She noted that in many cases, discrimination and inequities tied to location, income, and race or ethnicity deprived women of both sexual and reproductive choices and adequate maternal care.
According to her, even in the wealthiest countries, which have high healthcare standards on average, rates of maternal mortality are disproportionately higher among marginalised groups.
“We can and must end preventable maternal deaths. We know what works and why.
“We know that midwives save lives. Expanded midwifery care can detect risks and manage complications while reducing costs.”
She, however, said that in spite of evidence that universal access to these professionals could avert two thirds of maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths, there was a global shortfall of nearly one million midwives.
Kanem called for strong political commitments, adequate financial resources and supportive laws that would make a lasting difference.
“On this World Health Day, let us prioritise investments so that we reach zero preventable maternal deaths.
“Let us commit to building healthier, more just societies and to ensuring that all women bringing life into this world can survive childbirth and thrive afterwards.”
The African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) has supported the Republic of Benin’s latest financing transaction, providing a second-loss guarantee for Deutsche Bank’s €507.5 million loan to the country. The milestone transaction reinforces ATIDI’s commitment to unlocking access to innovative financial solutions that enhance economic stability and sustainable development across Africa.
Manuel Moses, CEO, ATIDI
The senior unsecured amortizing term loan, arranged solely by Deutsche Bank, is backed by a first-loss guarantee of up to €200 million from the International Development Association (IDA), part of the World Bank Group. ATIDI’s second-loss guarantee complements this structure, covering the remaining principal and interest, thereby strengthening investor confidence and reducing financing costs for Benin.
“This landmark financing demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships in unlocking sustainable investment for African economies. Our collaboration with Deutsche Bank in supporting the Republic of Benin highlights ATIDI’s essential role in facilitating innovative financial solutions that enhance fiscal resilience. By providing a second-loss guarantee, we help ensure that Benin secures long-term, cost-effective financing, reinforcing its economic stability while channelling resources toward its sustainable development goals,” ATIDI CEO, Manuel Moses, said.
ATIDI’s involvement underscores its unique role in providing risk mitigation solutions that enable African sovereigns to access long-term, cost-effective financing on favorable terms. This transaction is the first IDA-backed guarantee under the World Bank’s new guarantee platform launched in July 2024.
Key Highlights of the Transaction:
Debt Reprofiling – The facility will provide fiscal space for Benin to reprofile its debt, ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
SDG Alignment – Savings from the transaction will be channeled toward priority projects under Benin’s SDG Framework.
Risk Mitigation – The IDA’s Partial Risk Guarantee and ATIDI’s second-loss insurance cover provide robust risk mitigation, enhancing investor confidence and ensuring the successful execution of the facility.
Commenting on the facility, Deutsche Bank Managing Director, Maryam Khosrowshahi, said the transaction consolidates the Bank’s position as a leading arranger of complex transactions on the African continent, notably after being named Best Foreign Investment Bank in Benin for the 2nd year in a row by EMEA Finance African Banking Awards 2024.
“We are proud to have acted as sole mandated lead arranger and sole lender to the Republic of Benin on this novel transaction with IDA and ATIDI. We leveraged our successful financing track-record with the Republic of Benin as well as our excellent relationship with the Republic’s advisor Rothschild & Co, and extensive transaction experience with the World Bank Group and ATIDI to deliver this critical financing in an effective and timely manner.
“Timing was indeed of the essence as the Facility was signed on 8 January 2025 concurrently to the announcement of a tender offer targeting up to €250 million of Benin’s EUR2032s notes and of a new $500 million bond issue to complement the country’s 2025 budgetary needs.”
The facility was concluded in parallel with Benin’s return to international capital markets through a $500 million bond issuance. A portion of the loan proceeds was allocated to a debt reprofiling exercise, including the buyback of Benin’s EUR 2032 bond.
By extending the average maturity of its public debt portfolio and achieving substantial debt service savings, Benin can redirect funds toward strategic initiatives under its SDG financing framework, driving long-term social and economic impact.
