Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Completes Staff-Level Agreement on the Fifth Review of the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for Somalia

This agreement is subject to approval of the IMF’s Executive Board

Despite significant challenges, including from the continued severe food crisis, Somalia has maintained strong reform momentum and program performance has been satisfactory. A staff-level agreement was reached on the fifth review of Somalia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement; The authorities’ steady progress under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) process…

Source: The Presidency, The Arab Republic of Egypt |

President El-Sisi and the First Lady Attend Egyptian Women’s Day and the Ideal Mother’s Celebrations

The President issued a presidential pardon for all debtors, both men and women, who are serving sentences in reform and rehabilitation centers, to reunite with their families before the holy month of Ramadan

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the First Lady attended celebrations, marking the Egyptian Women’s Day and honoring the Ideal Mothers for the year 2023. Marking the Egyptian Women’s Day and Mother’s Day celebrations, the President issued a presidential pardon for all debtors, both men and women, who are serving…

Source: U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Morocco |

United States: Release of 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

The U.S. Mission in Morocco looks forward to the continued cooperation of the Government of Morocco and civil society partners in addressing these and other human rights issues

On March 20, the U.S. Department of State released the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which includes Morocco. The U.S. Mission in Morocco follows human rights throughout the country and works closely with the Government of Morocco, as well as with other partners such as the National Council on…

Source: International Rescue Committee |

International Rescue Committee (IRC): 43,000 feared dead as drought continues to ravage Somalia

The country is the second most vulnerable country to the effects of the climate crisis, according to the ND-Gain Index

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is deeply concerned by today’s report by the Somalia Government’s Minister of Health that indicates an estimated 43,000 excess deaths may have occurred in 2022 in Somalia due to the ongoing drought. It is feared that half of these deaths may have occurred among children under the…

Source: Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) |

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to send an integrated mission to assess and validate technical humanitarian needs in Burkina Faso

This mission is part of the implementation of the paragraph 31 decision of the 62nd Ordinary Summit Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government

An integrated high-level mission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will be in Burkina Faso from 21 to 27 March 2023 to assess and validate the country’s technical humanitarian needs for the year 2023. This mission is part of the implementation of the paragraph 31 decision of…

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) |

Africa should invest in people-centered strategies to accelerate economic recovery

The continent needs to strengthen its macroeconomic fundamentals and access adequate financing to promote structural transformation

Africa - pummeled by a combination of crises - should swiftly invest in and implement people-centered strategies to mobilize financial resources and accelerate continental economic recovery, Economic Commission for Africa, acting Executive Secretary, Antonio Pedro has urged. Opening the ministerial segment of the 55th Session of ECA’s Conference of African…

International Trade Centre
Source: International Trade Centre |

Startup Act: Côte d’Ivoire shifting up a gear

Côte d’Ivoire has made technological innovation a priority in its national development plan, looking particularly at high-potential start-ups

The Ivorian government has unveiled the Startup Act: a framework designed to support the country's most talented start-ups. Côte d’Ivoire has made technological innovation a priority in its national development plan, looking particularly at high-potential start-ups.  To give more weight and visibility to young innovative companies, Côte d’Ivoire has  announced…

Source: FAO Regional Office for Africa |

14th Multidisciplinary Team Meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW): Stakeholders agree to intensify activities to promote youth employment in agrifood systems in West Africa

In West Africa, several initiatives, programmes and other projects aimed at the installation or integration of young people in the agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries sector have been developed over the past 15 years

More than 200 SFW stakeholders and partners reviewed the most appropriate options and solutions as well as opportunities for partnership development and resource mobilisation to jointly address the challenges of adapting West African youth and women to the transformation of agrifood systems. In West Africa, several initiatives, programmes and other…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Reach Staff-Level Agreement on First Review of the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement with Guinea Bissau

The mission team reached staff-level agreement with the authorities on economic and financial policies that could support the approval of the first review of the ECF-supported program

A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Jose Gijon, Mission Chief for Guinea Bissau, held virtual meetings during March 8–13, 2023, and meetings in Bissau during March 14–20, 2023, to discuss the assessment of the First Review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement [1]. The arrangement was…

Source: International Rescue Committee |

As emissions targets fail, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warns that least prepared communities on climate crisis frontlines will bear the most cost

Nearly 21 million people across East Africa are facing extreme hunger due to the fifth consecutive season of failed rains - the worst drought in history, exacerbated by the climate crisis

Today, the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a dire warning of the future of global climate. Climate scientists have clearly linked human-caused warming and the need for urgent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Without drastic cuts, the world is nearing the 1.5-degree limit established…