Latest news with #UNDP
The South African
19 hours ago
- Business
- The South African
Free co-working spaces, free entrepreneur support at new hub in Cape Town
The timbuktoo Creative Hub has officially launched in Cape Town's District Six, offerering a first-of-its-kind facility in Africa. The hub provides free co-working spaces, expert mentorship, and comprehensive tech support. Local and pan-African artists, designers, musicians, and storytellers are now invited to collaborate and grow their businesses at the space at no cost. 'Creative industries are a major driver of economic growth, yet African creatives often lack access to the resources, networks and funding needed to scale their businesses,' said Head of Entrepreneur Development at UVU Accelerate, Lara Rosmarin. 'We're inviting Cape Town's creative community to come and experience the facilities and support we've developed specifically for them.' Housed in the historic Homecoming Centre (formerly the Athol Fugard Theatre in the CBD), timbuktoo is a purpose-built facility offering free co-working spaces, unlimited WiFi, and access to industry-specific support in areas like animation, fashion, textile technology, music, and augmented/virtual reality. The initiative is powered by a major partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), UVU Africa, Snake Nation, and the Craft and Design Institute. Together, they aim to unlock new potential within South Africa's fast-growing creative economy. Free, hands-on guidance from resident entrepreneurs Technolgy mentorship Digital upskilling Industry-specific support Access to the broader accelerator network Free spaces for creators to host community events The Cape Town project forms part of timbuktoo, a continent-wide innovation drive led by the UNDP to support African startups. And the response has been strong – over 280 applicants have already expressed interest in the hub's Creative Accelerator programme. 'Every groundbreaking venture starts with an audacious idea and the courage to nurture it,' added Maxwell Gomera, UNDP South Africa Resident Representative and Director of the UNDP Africa Sustainable Finance Hub. 'Through the timbuktoo Creative Hub, we're not just incubating businesses, we're cultivating a generation of creative entrepreneurs who understand that Africa's stories, innovations and cultural expression aren't just our heritage, they're our competitive advantage.' Are you interested in securing a co-working space in Cape Town? Contact the centre by emailing connect@ or calling 021 466 7200. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Iraq Business
a day ago
- Business
- Iraq Business
Pathways for Climate Investment in Iraq
By John Lee. Iraq's Climate Investment Plan (CIP) marks a turning point in the nation's ambition to tackle climate change impacts and drive economic diversification by strategically integrating climate change considerations into future investments, according to a statement from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It continues: "This marks a turning point in the nation's ambition to tackle climate change impacts and drive economic diversification through strategically integrating climate change aspects in future investments. "This transitional phase can steer technological transfer and adequate innovation and mobilize financial resources to address the most pressing climate change adaptation and mitigation challenges while scaling up the transition to a more sustainable and bright future for Iraq's population. "The CIP strives to foster sustainable economic growth by promoting energy efficiency investments and sustainable water and agriculture practices. By doing so, it aims to create new job opportunities, spur innovation, modernize its multi-faceted industries and services, and diversify Iraq's economy. "CIP also lays the groundwork for a more resilient, sustainable, and low-carbon future for all Iraqis. It underscores the country's commitment to global environmental sustainability efforts while leveraging international support and expertise to maximize impact and achieve tangible results." Click here to download the full report [English] Click here to download the full report [Arabic] To browse our comprehensive library of reports on Iraq, click here. (Source: UNDP)
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
UNDP celebrates Energy Performance Certificate graduates at Nkangala TVET College
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa recently celebrated the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of students from the Energy Efficiency Skills Programme at Nkangala TVET College. Following two successful graduations at Gert Sibande and Ehlanzeni TVET College, the UNDP wrapped it up with a bang on June 25 at Nkangala, celebrating the progress made by the 25 young people and five lecturers who were being awarded with certifications in energy efficiency. Phumla Hlathi, head of the inclusive growth portfolio at UNDP South Africa, said, the programme, implemented in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA), is aimed at equipping young people with the skills needed to become energy efficiency practitioners. 'The young people who have been trained in this college are now ready to go into industry and make a meaningful contribution to driving energy efficiency in South Africa,' she said. The programme was facilitated by the Institute of Energy Professionals Africa, and according to Phumla, the lecturers who participated in the training are now equipped to continue training future students, and the college has also received the necessary accreditation. 'Going forward with the learners, we plan to place them into internship programmes where they can start applying in the place of work the skills they have learnt in the classroom,' Phumla said. Robyn Vilakazi, executive for skills delivery at EWSETA, expressed excitement and pride in the work that the certified practitioners will be doing to drive energy efficiency in the country. 'We're very excited to celebrate with them, and we look forward to witnessing what the future has in store for them,' she said. UNDP in South Africa celebrated graduates who were being awarded with certifications in energy efficiency. Photo: Lindokuhle Ndhlovu. UNDP in South Africa celebrated graduates who were being awarded with certifications in energy efficiency. Photo: Lindokuhle Ndhlovu. UNDP in South Africa celebrated graduates who were being awarded with certifications in energy efficiency. Photo: Lindokuhle Ndhlovu. UNDP in South Africa celebrated graduates who were being awarded with certifications in energy efficiency. Photo: Lindokuhle Ndhlovu. Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok Chat to us: [email protected] At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here.
Euronews
2 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
Europe cannot afford to step back from Africa, warns UNDP Africa chief
Europe must not scale back its engagement with Africa as the global geopolitical landscape shifts, the director of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Africa Bureau has warned. 'Africa has a great deal to offer, particularly in terms of its demographics,' she said. 'With a very young population, the continent is projected to account for a quarter of the world's population in the next century.' This youthful demographic is particularly relevant for Europe, which faces an ageing population and increasing demand for young talent to drive innovation and growth, she said. But the value of Africa to Europe goes well beyond people power, according to Eziakonwa. 'Africa is rich in critical minerals that Europe increasingly needs to power its future - especially as it reassesses global partnerships in the wake of the war in Ukraine,' Eziakonwa stressed, underlining the continent's growing commercial importance. Changing partnerships According to Eziakonwa, the nature of the EU-Africa relationship is evolving. 'What we're seeing now, based on my conversations with various EU partners, is less a withdrawal and more a recalibration of the relationship. It's a shift away from a traditional donor-recipient model toward a genuine partnership.' Historically, the EU has invested heavily in African nations through both humanitarian aid and development projects across digital infrastructure, energy and migration. But Eziakonwa believes Europe must now look beyond its role as a donor and recognise Africa as a key strategic partner. 'Europe remains one of Africa's largest donors—that hasn't changed. But it's time for Europe to view Africa not just in terms of financial aid, but to understand the broader value of the relationship.' Growing competition Recent years have seen the EU renew or expand agreements with countries like Tunisia, Egypt and Mauritania, many of which are implemented through European companies or government-affiliated entities. Yet the continent is becoming an increasingly crowded space for global powers. China continues to expand its economic footprint in Africa, while Russia is making political and military inroads, particularly in places like the Central African Republic. For Eziakonwa, this growing competition among global actors is a concern. 'It's very difficult for a region like Africa to fully benefit from its partnerships when those partners are competing with each other,' she said. 'Today, the world is increasingly divided, and many actors are pursuing strategies rooted in competition rather than collaboration. That's a challenge for Africa.' She stressed that no single country or bloc can offer Africa a one-size-fits-all solution. 'What Africa receives from China may be valuable, but it's not comprehensive. The same applies to Europe. Real progress will come from a complementary approach, not a competitive one.'
Zawya
2 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Egypt, UNDP discuss expanded cooperation on medical waste management, human development
Egypt's Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, met with Alessandro Fracassetti, the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Resident Representative in Egypt, to explore avenues for deepening cooperation—particularly in the areas of medical waste infrastructure and human development. Health Ministry Spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar stated that the minister welcomed Fracassetti and praised his contributions during his tenure in Cairo, reaffirming Egypt's commitment to strengthening collaboration with the UNDP. The discussions focused on ongoing joint projects and future funding strategies, with special attention to the development of a medical waste management complex in Suez Governorate. The minister directed Anwar Ismail, his aide for national projects, to draw up a clear timeline for the infrastructure upgrade of the complex. The two sides also explored potential areas for enhanced cooperation in human development, in line with Egypt's national priorities to build citizens' capabilities and improve the quality of healthcare services. Minister Abdel Ghaffar underscored the importance of continued coordination in the lead-up to the Global Conference on Health, Population and Development, scheduled to be held in Cairo this November. Fracassetti expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership with Egypt and praised the country's efforts in advancing human development. He reiterated UNDP's commitment to supporting the health sector to deliver tangible improvements for Egyptian citizens. The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides, including Deputy Minister Abla El-Alfi, Rady Hammad, Head of Preventive Medicine, and Susan El-Zanaty, Director of International Health Relations. Representing UNDP were Deputy Resident Representative Gummar Deeb and Programme Manager Abdel Razek Abu El-Ala.
