One year after the launch of its SheInvest initiative at the end of 2019, the European Investment Bank (EIB) reached its initial target to mobilise a total of €1 billion in gender-lensinvestment that is set to boost gender equality and female economic empowerment across Africa. Given the success of its initiative, the EIB now commits to double its ambition and mobilise €2 billion of gender-responsive investment across the continent.
Building on its experience in northern and sub-Saharan African countries as well as in gender focused lending, the EIB is further stepping-up its efforts over the past year to increase investment in projects, sectors and markets that have a transformative effect on gender equality and can enhance the capacity of women to participate in the economy.
SheInvest: EIB doubles its commitment to mobilise €2 billion for women across Africa
Novartis reaches milestone delivery of 1 billion courses of antimalarial treatment
ACTs are the standard of care for the treatment of P. falciparum malaria, the most deadly form of the disease, responsible for over 99% of cases in Africa and half of cases in Asia [2]. Since the turn of the century, ACTs have transformed malaria treatment and contributed to the dramatic reduction in malaria deaths.
Working with Chinese partners, Novartis launched the first fixed-dose ACT (artemether-lumefantrine) in 1999. Artemisinin is a natural compound found in the plant Artemisia annua, or sweet wormwood, and has shown to clear malaria parasites in the blood. ACTs combine an artemisinin derivative with a partner drug to reduce the risk of resistance if artemisinin is given alone.
AfDB, EBRD partner to unlock additional sustainable investment opportunities
The African Development Bank Group and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding to promote sustainable private sector development in Africa.
The memorandum of understanding will help catalyse new sources of financing to help bridge the $2.5 trillion annual financing gap for development in Africa. This gap requires that development finance institutions work in partnership.
Under this partnership, the African Development Bank and the EBRD will capitalize on their respective expertise and experience, with a particular focus on climate change, green and resilient infrastructure and capital markets development. They will also work on improving business environments, bolstering the real economy and mobilising private sector investment.
Covid-19 is threatening progress made towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals and is exacerbating debt vulnerability of many African countries. Sustainable private sector development will be key to recovery and prosperity across the continent.
African policymakers urged to make 30 km/h streets the norm to save lives
An African Union Commission and Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) workshop called to validate the African Road Safety Action Plan for the Decade 2021-2030 by experts, on Thursday called on African policymakers to support the UN campaign launched at the beginning of the 6th UN Global Road Safety Week to make 30 km/h streets the norm for cities worldwide.
The campaign stresses that low speed streets save lives and are the heart of any community. 30 km/h (20 mph) speed limits where people and traffic mix make for streets that are safe, healthy, green and liveable, in other words, streets for life.
The 6th UN Global Road Safety Week is calling on policymakers to act for low speed streets worldwide, limiting speeds to where people walk, live and play. The campaign stresses that 30 km/h streets protect all who use them, but especially the most vulnerable, like pedestrians, cyclists, children and older people and people with disabilities, preventing road traffic deaths and promoting physical activity.
Besides promoting safe walking and cycling, 30 km/h streets are vital in efforts to shift to zero-carbon mobility, reducing car dependency and harmful vehicle emissions that contribute to climate change. To protect the environment, people need safe, low-speed streets that encourage sustainable transport choices, the campaign adds.
