New UN course for policymakers to inspire solutions from Africa for Africa

The United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) and the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) are launching a new course, "The Peace and Development Nexus in Africa: Governance, Financing and Country Systems," which aims to provide policymakers with the tools to implement solutions made for Africa in Africa that would boost the continent’s development.

Created with financial support from the United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund, this path-breaking self-paced programme is targeted at African government personnel and their partners on the ground who are working on policy development and implementation across the continent, including in the ministries of finance, agriculture, education, energy and interior. The course is centred on action-oriented policymaking tailored to Africa’s realities to accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Ahead of its launch, Cristina Duarte, Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa to the United Nations Secretary-General, spoke about the critical importance of the course. She said, "Answering Secretary-General António Guterres’ call to ‘deliver action for Africa,’ this course is a strategic component of OSAA’s work to support African countries as they seek to reclaim their rightful place on the global leadership table. It highlights the critical role of domestic resource mobilization as a game changer in tackling the triple paradox of energy, financing and food systems hampering Africa’s development. The course also provides insights into unpacking Africa’s debt challenge, leveraging control of the continent’s economic and financial flows through effective institutions."

In 2020, Africa financed over three-fourths of its development through domestic revenue and savings, eclipsing the sum it received through external assistance, yet it faces a significant development financing gap. A contributing factor is that the continent loses between $500 and $600 billion annually, which is generated but not mobilized. This is compounded by multiple global crises hampering Africa’s development. To tackle these challenges and fully unlock its potential, including a fast-growing youth population set to outpace the rest of the world by 2050, Africa must harness domestic resource mobilization as a game-changer by developing robust governance and cohesive policies across different levels to drive economic growth and bring durable peace.

The course emphasizes the critical interconnectedness between these concepts, including governance, sustainable development, financing and peace, presenting an integrated framework that could be harnessed during policymaking processes to boost Africa’s progress.

The United Nations Secretary-General has made calls for the transformation of multilateralism to harness opportunities and respond to 21st century challenges. This course aims to help policymakers:

• Gain strategic insights into how sustainable development and peace are interconnected;
•  Learn how to secure sustainable, nationally-owned financing for long-term growth;
•  Discover the pivotal role of robust institutions in managing economic flows and advancing national priorities;
• Shape policy frameworks that drive change from the ground up.

"Indeed, accelerated efforts in Africa are needed, particularly in climate action, poverty alleviation, and good governance, to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” said Jafar Javan, Director of UNSSC. “The Staff College will continue to contribute to the development of outstanding leaders and effective problem solvers in the region through innovative, relevant and pioneering learning solutions."

Let us #ActNow to build the Africa we want. It is the Africa the world needs.

Sign up today!

Photo Caption: Seed collector in Loiborsiret village, Arusha, Tanzania, contributing to a native plant initiative aimed at restoring biodiversity, stabilizing ecosystems, and enhancing climate resilience. Credit: Phil Kabuje/UNDP Tanzania.