Eastern and Southern Africa: Foreign investment surged to record highs
The region attracted a record $65 billion in foreign investment in 2024. To keep up the momentum, more efforts are needed for economic integration, diversification and resilience.
Bucking a global downturn in foreign direct investment (FDI), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, known by its acronym as COMESA, made remarkable progress.
A new report from UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) shows that in 2024, FDI inflows to the region’s 21 economies shot up by 154%, hitting an all-time high of $65 billion.
High-level Africa Investment Roundtable advances pathways for sustainable industrial development
Riyadh, 24 November 2025 – A High-Level Africa Investment Roundtable was held under the theme “Powering Africa’s Industrial Future: Strategic Investments and Partnerships for Agenda 2063 and the SDGs” on the margins of the 21st Session of the UNIDO General Conference. The Roundatable convened ministers and senior government officials from Burkina Faso, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo, alongside high-level representatives from the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), West African Development Bank (BOAD), Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE), OPEC Fund, World Bank, Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA), and leading private-sector partners. The Roundtable focused on accelerating investment-ready industrial opportunities aligned with the AU Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA.
Africa and Europe can shape a fairer global system
The UN Secretary-General says the world is shifting fast towards a multipolar system – where power is spread across several regions instead of concentrated in one or two.
But António Guterres warns this shift will not guarantee stability.
“Multipolarity alone is no guarantee of peace,” he said. Without strong cooperation, it can fuel rivalry rather than balance.
Lenacapavir approved in Zambia and Zimbabwe in record time through WHO Collaborative Registration Procedure
The Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) has approved lenacapavir tablets and injectable formulations for HIV prevention, granting authorization on 4 November 2025 after just 12 working days of review. The decision was made using the WHO Listed Authorities (WLA) Collaborative Registration Procedure (CRP), a reliance-based pathway that enables countries to make fast, informed decisions by leveraging assessments from trusted regulatory authorities or WHO prequalification. Shortly afterward, Zimbabwe’s Medicines Control Authority (MCAZ) also approved the product, completing its review in 18 working days.
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement with Sierra Leone on the First and Second Reviews of the Extended Credit Facility
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Mr. Christian Saborowski, visited Sierra Leone from October 3 to 10, 2025, for the first and second reviews of Sierra Leone’s economic program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), approved on October 31, 2024.
Strengthening Social Safety Nets Can Reinforce Tunisia’s Economic Recovery
Tunisia’s economy is showing signs of recovery, supported by stronger agricultural production, a revival in the construction sector, and improving tourism, according to the World Bank ’s latest economic update, “Strengthening Social Safety Nets for Increased Efficiency and Equity” . Real GDP expanded by 2.4 percent in the first nine months of 2025, following years of moderate growth and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 crisis.
Africa: Rethinking plastics to unlock industrial potential
As the world continues seeking a treaty to end plastic pollution, Africa is not waiting to adapt but planning ahead.
Beyond short-term bans and clean-ups, the continent is working to revamp laws, markets and supply chains to steer economies towards non-plastic alternatives and substitutes as a new source of industrial growth.
Executive Boards of Six United Nations entities conclude joint field visit to Egypt, highlighting sustainable development advancements
CAIRO, Egypt – A delegation of 17 Member State representatives from the Executive Boards of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/UN Population Fund (UNFPA)/UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the World Food Programme (WFP) concluded a five-day joint field visit in Egypt from 26 to 30 October.
New TERRA programme boosts small and medium agrifood companies’ access to credit
Launched by the European Union, Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and FAO, Transforming and Empowering Resilient and Responsible Agribusiness strengthens local financial institutions’ lending abilities in Africa and Türkiye.
Press releases African Union and United Nations Reaffirm Partnership for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. António Guterres, today co-chaired the Ninth African Union–United Nations Annual Conference at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.