African Renaissance

The African Renaissance Trust (ART) convened a panel discussion during the ECOSOCC Citizens’ Forum held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 24–25 July 2025.

Under the theme “Africa’s Voice in a Changing Global Order: From Reform to Citizen-Centred Action,” Caroline Kwamboka, Trustee/Director of the African Renaissance Trust, led a dynamic session that fostered frank and forward-looking dialogue.

The discussion explored how Africa can transition from reform-oriented debates to practical, citizen-centred action, while linking critical conversations on global governance, financial justice, artificial intelligence and digital sovereignty, climate action, reparative justice, human rights, and civil society participation.

The session featured insightful contributions from distinguished speakers, including:

* Dr Jide Okeke, Director of the Regional Programme for Africa, UNDP RSCA
* Ms Dadirayi Madzima, Executive Director of Rozaria Memorial Trust and GIMAC Young Women’s Cluster Lead

Together, the panel offered valuable perspectives on strengthening Africa’s voice and advancing inclusive, citizen-driven solutions in an evolving global landscape.

As the Joint Health & Finance Ministers Meeting continues in Harare, the message from the data is clear: The region's path to health sovereignty runs through its own resources.

Presenting our Exemplars analysis, the African Renaissance Trust finds a mixed but moving picture - 13 of 16 SADC states have reduced out-of-pocket spending, but only 5 of 16 meet the Abuja 15% target.

Yet the blueprint already exists. Malawi tripled its health budget. Mauritius mobilized $150M in private capital. Zambia's NHIMA now covers millions - with Mozambique and Tanzania building their own locally-owned models too.

That's why we were on the ground to , and : connecting policymakers with grassroots evidence, informing decisions through our research and working to activate lasting institutional change.

As external aid declines, domestic resource mobilization and regional cooperation are the way forward. The blueprint is ready. The time for action is now.

"Where a woman rules, streams run uphill." African Proverb

We congratulate three remarkable African women on their election and re-election to the Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women ( ).

Their service strengthens Africa's voice in global spaces and advances the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls everywhere.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” African Proverb

Two days. Eight countries. Three frameworks. One People, One destiny.

African Renaissance Trust is proud to have supported this EAC-led process and stays committed to transforming policies to lived realities.

As the EAC Joint Technical Working Group closes, the East African Community has validated three regional health instruments for 2026–2030: the RMNCAH+N Strategic Plan, the Sustainable Health Financing Strategy and the Digital Health & Scorecard Instruments.

These documents shaped by eight country consultations and more than 200 country comments, and they now carry a clear regional mandate as they move toward the Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health.

What stayed with us this week was a simple truth: plans are only as good as the action that follows. Success will be judged not on inputs,but on results and outcomes in the lives of women, children and families across the region.

We look forward to seeing these commitments through: To their domestication into country-level action that saves lives.

Thank you to the EAC Secretariat, Partner States and partners including the Global Fund and the Government of Kenya.

“Treat the Earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.” a Kenyan proverb

Today is World Environment Day and this year, the message is urgent - .

The planet is already speaking. Record temperatures. Disappearing glaciers. Intensifying storms. And across Africa, communities on the front lines of a crisis they did not cause.

At African Renaissance Trust, climate accountability sits at the heart of our Socio-Economic Justice pillar because we know that environmental breakdown does not strike equally. It falls hardest on the people already navigating inequality, food insecurity and inadequate infrastructure.

Here is what the numbers tell us:

▸ We need to halve annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to keep warming below 1.5°C
▸ Without urgent action, 50% more people will be exposed to unsafe air pollution this decade
▸ Plastic waste flowing into our waterways could nearly triple by 2040

But here is what communities across Africa are already showing us: it is possible to change course. Young people are driving clean energy transitions. Ecosystem restoration is happening at scale. Policy windows are opening.

The question for all of us today is simple: what signal will we send back?

💡 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐄𝐘𝐒𝐈 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐒𝐎𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚?

Join Caroline Kwamboka N., Trustee and Director of African Renaissance (AR) Trust, leads a powerful Capacity Building Session on Gender, Equality, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GEYSI) mainstreaming in WASH! 💙🌍
Because every facility built and every budget passed declares who belongs in Africa's future — and who doesn't.
Caroline will be equipping us with practical tools to:
✅ Diagnose exclusion in WASH systems
✅ Reform policy with a gender & inclusion lens
✅ Enforce accountability at every level

Africa cannot achieve Agenda 2063 while millions remain invisible. It's time to change that. 🙌

This session is for YOU — whether you're a policymaker, engineer, CSO leader, or advocate. No one sits on the sidelines! 🗣️💪

📅 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝟎𝟐 𝐏𝐌 – 𝟎𝟒 𝐏𝐌
🔗 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/uuxb3wn6

Let's build an Africa where no one is left behind in WASH. 💧

🌍💙 Sanitation is not a privilege, it is a fundamental human right.

And it's time Africa's legal and policy frameworks reflect exactly that.
We are honored to welcome Hon. Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, to our GIMAC Pre Online Consultative Meeting!

She will be presenting on a landmark resolution — the development of Guidelines on the Right to Sanitation in Africa, with a dedicated focus on women and girls. 🙌

This is a critical step toward ensuring that the dignity, equality, and inclusion of women and girls are not just aspirations — but protected rights.

She will also be opening the floor to receive feedback from participants on the process — because this work belongs to ALL of us. Your voice matters! 🗣️

📅 3rd June 2026 | 02 PM – 04 PM
🔗 Register & join the conversation: https://tinyurl.com/uuxb3wn6

Let's build an Africa where every woman and girl has access to safe sanitation — without exception. 💧✊