UN agency helps Niger boost tax capacity to tap untapped revenue

Policymakers, investors and rating experts gathered in Mauritius for the second Credit Ratings conference and emerged with a clear agenda: build deeper, liquid domestic capital markets to cut Africa’s notoriously high cost of capital. Speakers highlighted the need for stronger financial institutions, better risk‑pricing tools and a new Africa Credit Rating Agency, slated to launch on Oct. 7, that will reflect local realities rather than generic global models. <br /> <br /> Key proposals included expanding local‑currency bond issuance, tapping pension, sovereign‑wealth and insurance funds for on‑shore projects, and using fintech, AI and blockchain to improve data quality and credit scoring. Financial literacy was flagged as essential to broaden investor bases and make markets more inclusive. <br /> <br /> Mauritius’s finance minister positioned the island as a regional hub for cross‑border investment, while the UN resident coordinator warned that without transparent, accurate assessments, governments will continue to struggle to fund infrastructure, jobs and growth. <br /> <br /> If implemented, these reforms could lower borrowing premiums, reduce dependence on external lenders and channel African savings into productive sectors, boosting industrialisation and regional integration. The conference’s focus on domestic resource mobilisation marks a shift from aid‑driven financing toward sustainable, market‑based development.

Guinea-Bissau unveiled the RESIslands readiness initiative on 6 October, a 30‑month programme funded by the Green Climate Fund and run by the UN Economic Commission for Africa. The effort aims to sharpen the country’s ability to map climate risks, build policy and institutional capacity, and put together a pipeline of investment‑ready projects for its vulnerable coastal zones, mangroves and the Bijagós archipelago. <br /> <br /> The launch brought together the environment minister, UN officials and national scientists to outline ten pilot ideas ranging from early‑warning systems and coastal protection to climate‑smart agriculture, water security and renewable‑energy backup for essential services. Technical consultations slated for 7‑8 October will refine these concepts, identify skill gaps and link them to existing regional frameworks under the African Island States Climate Commission. <br /> <br /> Officials stressed that climate change is already eroding fisheries, food security and livelihoods, not a future threat. By turning climate data into actionable advice for farmers and coastal communities, the programme hopes to safeguard the sector that feeds most of the population. Training for three national technicians has already begun, and a preliminary inventory of 17 ongoing initiatives was presented. <br /> <br /> If the project pipeline secures financing, Guinea-Bissau could see new infrastructure that reduces sea‑level impacts, improves irrigation, and creates jobs for women and youth. The initiative also dovetails with the country’s 2025 Guinea‑Bissau Pathway for African Island States, signalling a coordinated push toward climate‑smart development across the region.

A three‑day workshop in Abidjan brought together the UN Economic Commission for Africa, UNFPA, the African Union and eight West African states to test a new digital platform that will monitor progress on the continent’s demographic‑dividend roadmap. The tool, developed by ECA and UNFPA, links health, education, employment and governance data to help governments spot gaps, allocate resources and hold officials accountable. <br /> <br /> The platform was unveiled by Côte d’Ivoire’s planning minister and UN officials as a pilot for Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. Participants praised its ability to streamline reporting, improve data traceability and turn statistics into investment decisions. <br /> <br /> Officials said the system will complement national monitoring bodies, giving ministries a clearer picture of how youth‑focused policies are performing. In Niger, data‑access challenges were highlighted, while Benin’s delegate called the platform a long‑awaited solution for a priority set by African heads of state. <br /> <br /> If rolled out regionally, the platform could sharpen evidence‑based policymaking, boost human‑capital development and help African countries turn a rapidly growing young population into an economic engine. The pilot marks a concrete step toward a unified African data framework, moving the demographic‑dividend agenda from rhetoric to measurable outcomes.

Mauritius and the UN Economic Commission for Africa unveiled the RESIslands Project on 25 September, a $4.95 million programme funded by the Green Climate Fund to help nine African island states cope with rising seas, stronger storms and water stress. About $250,000 of the grant will be spent on Mauritius, where coastal erosion and erratic rainfall already threaten tourism, fisheries and agriculture. <br /> <br /> The initiative, run by the ECA together with the African Island States Climate Commission, will tighten coordination among ministries, disaster‑risk agencies and development planners. It aims to turn climate data into actionable plans, train officials on risk‑aware budgeting and create a pipeline of bankable, climate‑resilient projects that can attract further international finance. <br /> <br /> Junior Minister of Agro‑Industry and Blue Economy Arvin Boolell said the project will give island governments the tools to respond faster to complex climate threats, while the UN resident coordinator highlighted that climate impacts cut across every sector of the Mauritian economy. <br /> <br /> Beyond Mauritius, RESIslands will link the eight partner islands for peer learning and joint research, positioning the region to leverage its strong financial sector and investment‑grade credit rating as a hub for sustainable finance. The launch marks the first step toward concrete actions, with stakeholders expected to draft implementation road‑maps and identify priority projects within weeks. If successful, the programme could demonstrate a scalable model for small island developing states seeking to secure climate funding and protect vulnerable communities.

From October 5‑6, Mauritius hosts the second Africa Annual Conference on Credit Ratings, organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa and partners such as the African Peer Review Mechanism and UNDP. Over 200 delegates – ranging from finance ministries and central banks to investors, rating agencies and fintech firms – will debate how better credit‑rating practices can lower borrowing costs and unlock local‑currency financing for African firms and governments.<br /> <br /> Key sessions will map ways to improve market liquidity, broaden investment instruments and upgrade trading infrastructure, all with the goal of channeling more domestic savings into productive projects. Speakers will also weigh the promise of artificial‑intelligence tools and data‑driven analytics for more transparent risk assessments, while flagging the need for robust regulatory safeguards.<br /> <br /> The agenda includes case studies on reserve management and long‑term development finance, drawing lessons from other regions to help African states diversify funding sources beyond external aid. Regional development banks and the African Union are expected to outline policy reforms that could streamline cross‑border capital flows and encourage private‑sector participation.<br /> <br /> By gathering policymakers, regulators and market players under the theme “Towards Developing African Capital Markets: Rechanneling Africa’s Capital,” the conference seeks to create a playbook for scaling up domestic resource mobilization. Organizers say the dialogue will feed into concrete recommendations for national reforms and regional cooperation, positioning stronger credit‑rating frameworks as a catalyst for sustainable growth across the continent.

Maseru hosted a three‑day workshop aimed at helping Lesotho’s micro, small and medium enterprises tap the African Continental Free Trade Area. On day three, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development, backed by the UN Economic Commission for Africa, UNDP and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, ran a Business‑to‑Business seminar that paired 41 local producers of leather goods, handicrafts and home décor with buyers such as MILCO, Woolworths, PEP Home and Game stores. <br /> <br /> Principal Secretary Palesa Matobako said the ministry is rolling out concrete steps to give Basotho firms a foothold in regional and global markets. The event also drew in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture, which pledged free stalls at trade fairs and assistance in branding Lesotho‑made products. <br /> <br /> UN‑ECA regional adviser Zodwa Mabuza reminded participants that the AfCFTA opens a continent‑wide market, but the onus is on firms to turn that access into jobs and growth. By linking producers directly with buyers, the seminar aims to move Lesotho’s MSMEs out of informal channels and into formal value chains, boosting export readiness and compliance with trade standards. <br /> <br /> If the connections hold, the initiative could lift sales, attract investment and create new jobs in a country that has struggled with limited market access. The workshop’s next phase will focus on turning market intelligence into export decisions, turning the AfCFTA promise into tangible economic gains for Lesotho’s small businesses.

Stellenbosch hosted the Africa E‑Mobility Week & Forum from 28‑30 September 2026, bringing together the African Union, UNEP, the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the Africa E‑Mobility Alliance. Delegates warned that policy talk has outpaced real‑world rollout and urged a shift to coordinated action. The forum highlighted four immediate priorities: building local EV factories and battery‑material plants, rolling out continent‑wide charging networks, unlocking affordable finance and incentives, and expanding skills, research and public awareness. <br /> <br /> ECA’s Yohannes Hailu said a rapid switch to electric transport would cut Africa’s reliance on imported oil, improve air quality and create jobs tied to the continent’s rich mineral base. Transport specialist Placide Badji urged the adoption of existing UN safety standards, including Regulation 100 for high‑voltage protection and acoustic alerts for pedestrians. <br /> <br /> The joint declaration calls for harmonised vehicle, battery and charging standards, clear rules for used‑EV imports, and a continent‑wide system for battery reuse, recycling and disposal. It also pushes the African Continental Free Trade Area to slash trade barriers and nurture competitive regional EV value chains. A pan‑African EV observatory and a shared mobility database were proposed to track adoption rates, infrastructure growth, energy demand and job creation. <br /> <br /> The message was clear: Africa must turn its e‑mobility strategy into real investment, institutional support and measurable outcomes, linking electric transport with renewable energy, industrial growth and decent jobs as the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport gets under way.

The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) urged African governments to rethink how they tax the tech sector, arguing that lower, more predictable levies could make internet services cheaper, attract investment and create jobs. The call came at a virtual workshop attended by 144 delegates from 46 nations, where ECA unveiled a new "ICT Tax Impact Calculator" that lets policymakers model how different tax scenarios would affect revenue, consumer prices and overall economic activity. <br /> <br /> ECA’s report stresses that ICT taxes should be judged on their broader contribution to the economy—not just short‑term fiscal gains. It points to a widening gap in Africa: while mobile coverage expands, many people still can’t afford devices or data, limiting the digital economy’s potential to drive productivity, financial inclusion and innovation. <br /> <br /> Workshop speakers, including ECA’s Dr. Mactar Seck and GSMA senior director Caroline Mbugua, said evidence‑based reforms could unlock private‑sector investment in AI, cloud services and data centres. Benin’s finance minister highlighted the need for reliable data on current tax revenues before any cuts, while AfICTA’s vice‑chair warned that stable, clear policies are essential for emerging tech firms. <br /> <br /> Participants also raised issues such as mobile‑money taxation, gender gaps in access and the role of digital tools in improving tax compliance. The consensus was clear: a balanced tax approach, backed by solid modelling, can spur affordable services, boost growth and help African economies compete globally. ECA plans to keep supporting countries with data‑driven tools and policy guidance as the continent seeks a more inclusive digital future.

The UN Economic Commission for Africa’s West Africa office gathered more than 150 rice‑focused SMEs and business‑support groups for a two‑day online activation programme on 28‑29 September. The event, part of the West Africa Business Linkages Platform, aims to turn research on regional rice and cocoa chains into real‑world deals – from letters of intent to joint processing ventures – that will boost intra‑ECOWAS trade. Participants flagged four main bottlenecks: scarce financing, weak market links, limited processing capacity and cumbersome cross‑border rules. By pairing buyers, processors and financiers, the programme hopes to spark concrete partnerships and a 90‑day follow‑up to move talks into contracts. Organisers say the effort dovetails with the African Continental Free Trade Area and ECOWAS’s own rice strategy, both of which push for less reliance on imports and more home‑grown food security. If successful, the initiative could lower West Africa’s rice import bill, create jobs in processing and logistics, and make the region’s food system more resilient to shocks such as climate events or geopolitical disruptions. The broader plan envisions similar activation cycles for other commodities, turning a network of 500+ business groups into a catalyst for regional value‑chain integration.

Addis Ababa hosted the second Private‑Public Partnership (PPP) Units Forum in Africa, a two‑day hybrid event aimed at turning policy promises into real services in housing, health, education, sanitation and energy. Co‑organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the African Development Bank and the African Legal Support Facility, the forum gathered PPP officials from dozens of countries to tackle the chronic gap between ambitious plans and on‑the‑ground results.<br /> <br /> Speakers highlighted that social‑sector PPPs differ from traditional infrastructure deals because they rarely cover costs through user fees. Instead they rely on government payments, blended finance or viability‑gap funding, shifting the focus to fiscal sustainability and performance monitoring. Over the two days, participants exchanged case studies, debated risk‑sharing models, and ran hands‑on clinics to shape actual projects.<br /> <br /> Key objectives included forging high‑level dialogue among finance and sector ministries, sharpening project preparation skills, and building a lasting community of practice that can keep momentum after the forum ends. Attendees left with a roadmap for better regulatory frameworks, clearer contract‑management tools and a schedule of peer‑exchange meetings to track progress.<br /> <br /> The forum’s outcomes will feed into an action‑oriented follow‑up framework, with each participating country naming a focal point to monitor implementation. By strengthening the capacity to design and finance socially‑focused PPPs, the event aims to deliver affordable, reliable services to millions of Africans and reduce the continent’s reliance on ad‑hoc aid.<br /> <br /> If the commitments translate into concrete projects, the initiative could narrow the service‑delivery gap and boost domestic investment, signaling a shift toward more sustainable, locally‑driven development models.