Nkumbu, 24, has just finished a medical school exam in Lusaka. He’s been sober for six months. “I still can’t believe it,” he says. “Six months ago, I was wandering the streets thinking: am I ever going to make it in life? But today, I’m here.”Growing up, Nkumbu dreamed of becoming a doctor. “There are no doctors in my family. I thought I’d become the first.” But alcohol derailed his journey early on. He began drinking in high school to overcome social anxiety. “My first girlfriend, I met her while I was intoxicated, so I thought this really worked.” What started as weekend partying turned into a habit. Eventually, his dependence led him to drop out of medical school twice.Raised by his aunt after the death of his parents, Nkumbu recalls her heartbreak the day he was suspended from school for drinking. “She didn’t say a word on the drive home. That should have been the wake-up call. I lost faith in myself and my ability to finish medical school. I was drunkenness, day in and day out—until I found Sanity House.’’Sanity House: A safe space to healLocated in Lusaka, Sanity House is a rehabilitation and harm reduction centre offering a safe space for people who use drugs. Through medical, psychosocial, and vocational services, the centre builds a family-like community that helps clients heal and re-enter society with dignity and purpose. Many of the staff, including Daniel Mbazima, House Manager, are in recovery themselves and serve as mentors and role models.Routine testing at Sanity House reveals an alarming HIV prevalence of 26% among people who use illicit drugs, compared to the national average of 11%. In Zambia, people who inject drugs (PWID) face various vulnerabilities. A 2022 bio-behavioural survey found HIV prevalence among PWID to be 7.3% in Lusaka, 21.3% in Ndola, and 12.2% in Livingstone.According to UNAIDS, around 30,000 people injected drugs in Zambia in 2023, and 1,3 million people were living with HIV. Yet, access to harm reduction services remains limited due to stigma, criminalization of drug use, and inadequate support. In this context, Sanity House is reducing the risk to HIV infection by helping prevent addiction and giving young people like Nkumbu another chance to get back on track and pursue their life goals.“Rehab is one day at a time. One day turns to ten, ten turns to a month. And now, six months later, I’m back in class,” Nkumbu says. “The people I used to drink with… some are dead, others are struggling to continue their studies, are in the army or even in prison.”At Sanity House, Nkumbu found not only a way out of addiction but also restored hope. “The other patients reminded me how great I am. Thanks to them, I began to see it again in myself, to see how far I’ve come and I told myself: I got this.”Nkumbu is now a youth advocate on Zambian television, sharing his story to raise awareness about youth and substance use. When asked about his first love, now a pilot in South Africa, he laughs. “Maybe she flew past me. I’ve got to get myself together first. I’m trending now, maybe she’s even seeing it.”Recovery is only possible when communities are adequately supportedDaniel Mbazima, House Manager at Sanity House, has witnessed many lives transformed at the centre. “Lasting change,” he says, “requires sustained community support and investment. The high rate of substance use combined with a lack of integrated health services is very alarming. We urgently need programmes that link addiction recovery with essential healthcare services, particularly HIV, TB and Hepatitis C viral infection prevention and treatment, among others. Stigma remains one of the biggest barriers, preventing people who inject drugs from seeking help. Addressing these challenges demands greater support and financing for interventions like we implement at Sanity House.”Clinton Kruger, a former client and now peer mentor at the centre, adds: “Recovery is possible. I’m the living proof of that. I want to show the world that there is hope, not only for those struggling with substance use, but also for their loved ones. Don’t give up on us. Sometimes, the care of just one person can be the only light in the darkness that addiction creates. You are not alone. Reach out. There is help, and there is a way forward.”UNAIDS and UNODC call for urgent and coordinated action to decriminalize drug use and possession for personal use and to scale up harm reduction strategies and community-led programmes. Evidence shows that harm reduction, including needle exchange, opioid agonist therapy, and overdose prevention reduces HIV transmission and improves health outcomes. Yet, these services remain underfunded and inaccessible in many countries, including Zambia. Nkumbu’s story is one of resilience, community, and the power of second chances. “I could have caught HIV, or worse. But I didn’t. I’m lucky. And now I get to help others.” By working alongside and supporting communities, we can break the cycle of drug abuse and illicit trafficking by addressing its root causes, investing in prevention, and strengthening health, education and social support systems. 

More than a distinction, this is recognition of their exemplary commitment to stabilization and the protection of civilians in Vakaga Prefecture, in northeastern CAR.Deployed in Vakaga since August 2024, the 10th Zambian contingent actively works to protect civilians and strengthen state authority, regularly conducting patrols in the various sub-prefectures of the region. These operations, often conducted in coordination with the Central African Armed Forces (FACA), have helped strengthen security, prevent threats related to the presence of armed groups, and reassure local populations. Between 2024 and 2025, more than 50 joint patrols were conducted with the FACA, in addition to individual patrols.Their actions also support the electoral process in the four sub-prefectures of Vakaga, through escorting logistics convoys and securing voter registration. They also escorted more than 30 humanitarian convoys, facilitating the delivery of food and aid to isolated communities such as Gordil, Tissifongoro, Am-Dafock, and Matala, close to the Chadian and Sudanese borders. This commitment is welcomed by local communities. For Major General Maychell Asmi, MINUSCA Deputy Force Commander, this contingent has significantly contributed to creating a safer and more secure environment for operations aimed at promoting peace and stability. This, along with "exemplary professionalism and unwavering respect for MINUSCA's mandate, has contributed substantially to the overall success of the Mission.""Thanks to the patrols they conduct along the roads, many people can now move freely between villages to buy and resell agro-pastoral products at the Birao market," says Amagoumach Machouwa, a trader at Birao's central market.In Am-Dafock, a town previously under constant threat from armed groups from Sudan, their presence has contributed to a gradual return to peace. "Before, these groups would burst into our village and rob us. Since the deployment of MINUSCA and FACA, we can finally sleep peacefully." "We live in peace," says Célestin Tamia, group leader in the town of Am-Dafock.Beyond security operations, these peacekeepers have initiated development initiatives, such as the construction of buildings for the sub-prefectures of Ouanda-Djallé and Tiringoulou, the gendarmerie and youth center in Am-Dafock, as well as the Am-Ngabo municipal stadium in Birao."Since the base opened in Am-Dafock, MINUSCA has helped redeploy the FACA and teachers. I am also pleased that they contributed to the construction of our gendarmerie," says Abdel Kader Ramadan, sub-prefect of Am-Dafock.Finally, the Zambian contingent has distinguished itself through its numerous community activities. More than 20 home medical consultations were carried out, as well as awareness campaigns against gender-based violence, cleaning of public places, support for vulnerable women, training in recycling non-biodegradable plastic waste, in addition to sports activities with young people.

As world leaders gathered in Sevilla for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), they faced a hard truth: the global financial system is not just failing to deliver for the countries most in need—it is reinforcing inequality. For Africa, the consequences are especially severe. The continent is grappling with rising trade barriers, climate finance that falls short, illicit financial flows, and mounting debt. Over the last decade, Africa’s external debt has soared—driven by expensive loans that drain budgets meant for schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. In 2020, 22 African countries spent more on debt payments than on healthcare*. Behind these numbers lies a system designed for creditor priorities, not community wellbeing. The crisis reflects a deeper structural problem: a financial architecture never built with Africa in mind. And it shows. Credit ratings remain biased. GDP per capita continues to be used as a flawed proxy for resilience, despite masking structural fragility. Africa’s representation in global financial institutions remains limited, and its borrowing costs are three to five times higher* than those of wealthier nations. FfD4 needed to go beyond declarations. It needed to mark a turning point—from fragmented, reactive aid to long-term strategies rooted in resilience, equity, and national leadership. Financing must be a tool for sovereignty, not dependency. Seville delivered progress—but not enough The Seville outcome, known as the Compromiso de Sevilla, laid out more than 130 global initiatives. These include new tools like debt-for-development swaps, commitments to scale up multilateral development bank (MDB) lending, and mechanisms to increase access to climate-aligned liquidity. African priorities were clearly reflected—from support for a UN tax convention to new efforts aimed at reducing debt stress and supporting local adaptation. But key areas remain unresolved. Seville stopped short of mandating broad debt cancellation or binding climate finance commitments. Fossil fuel subsidies remain untouched. And while the outcome text encourages reforms to global financial governance, it avoids tackling outdated voting structures at the IMF and World Bank. Africa needs more than encouragement. It needs structural change. Fairer finance for African realities For financing to be fair, it must reflect real-world vulnerability—not outdated income classifications. African countries need expanded access to concessional finance, especially those disproportionately affected by climate shocks and economic volatility. Risk-calibrated frameworks must replace rigid thresholds. Development partners must align support with national strategies, rather than imposing fragmented, donor-driven agendas. Seville made clear that concessional financing should remain accessible to middle-income countries facing systemic risks—a win for African transition economies. And while representation in global financial institutions matters, it must come with real agency and influence. The ability to shape—not just observe—decisions is what will make reforms meaningful. Homegrown solutions, Global recognition Africa is not waiting for permission to lead. Across the continent, governments are building momentum toward financial independence. The African Union’s establishment of the African Credit Rating Agency (ACRA) is a milestone—offering a context-sensitive alternative to global agencies that often misjudge African economies. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is unlocking regional trade and economic resilience. At the country level, progress is visible. Benin has launched a Development Finance Policy to attract green capital. Rwanda and Burkina Faso are expanding their tax base and reducing exemptions. Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Egypt, and Mali are using diaspora bonds to tap homegrown investment. These reforms signal a continent taking ownership of its financial future. What’s needed now is a global financial system that meets Africa where it is: reforming institutions, scaling catalytic investment, and supporting national systems instead of substituting them. Resident Coordinators: Connecting finance with impact Across the continent, UN Resident Coordinators (RCs) are helping to translate global reform into country-level impact. As trusted partners to governments, they are aligning cross-sector strategies, coordinating financing, and brokering key partnerships. In Egypt, the RC helped launch an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) and mobilized support for green and gender bonds. In Mauritius and Seychelles, six UN agencies are working under RC leadership to design gender-responsive financing strategies that drive the green and blue economy agenda. In Mauritania, the RC co-developed an SDG debt swap with Spain and expanded collaboration with the World Bank, IMF, and AfDB. In Namibia, the RC office is supporting efforts to reduce illicit financial flows through a task force backed by the Bank of Namibia, UNCTAD, and UNECA. Even in complex settings like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, RCs are anchoring transformative initiatives: school meals sourced from local farmers, solar-powered clinics, and youth-led agribusinesses are just a few examples of finance driving real change. This is the unique value of the RC system—acting as an impartial, trusted bridge between governments, financiers, and development partners, even in complex environments. From words to action Africa’s ambition is clear: a future defined by financial sovereignty, regional strength, and homegrown innovation. Seville must do more than raise expectations—it must deliver tools, political will, and institutional mechanisms to close the gap between ambition and action. This includes rebalancing global governance, operationalizing debt-for-development swaps, ensuring inclusive tax cooperation, and expanding access to affordable, scalable, and climate-aligned finance. The Addis Ababa Action Agenda laid a foundation, but lacked enforcement. Seville’s Compromiso for Action must go further—transforming rhetoric into reform. Africa is not asking for favors. It is offering solutions. With coordinated UN support, strong national leadership, and genuine global partnership, Africa can build a future where finance fuels development, not dependency. This blog was written by UN Development Coordination Office Regional Director for Africa Yacoub El Hillo. -- * UN Office of the Special Advisor on Africa – Unpacking Africa’s Debt - https://www.un.org/osaa/sites/www.un.org.osaa/files/files/documents/2024/publications/2024-nepad-report_en.pdf

Zambia will host the 75th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa from 25 to 27 August 2025 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka. The event will be officially opened by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, and will brin together health ministers and senior officials from the 47 WHO African Region Member States, alongside representatives from partner organizations, civil society, and the private sector.Announcing the development, Zambia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Elijah Muchima, expressed the country’s honor at being selected to host this prestigious public health gathering.“Let us remember that this is a significant milestone for our country. It is unique in that we will be among the few countries that have hosted this unique Public Health platform for governments and member states in the WHO African region,” said Dr Muchima.Dr. Muchima emphasized the timeliness of the meeting, noting that Zambia stands to benefit immensely from the discussions, especially considering evolving global health financing dynamics.“It is also unique in that it has come at a time when there are various changes in the financing landscape for public health globally and we expect Ministers of Health and various Public Health leaders from the African continent and beyond to share and exchange ideas for the good of humanity even as we move into the next phase of combating public health threat,” he added.The Minister also paid tribute to WHO for its longstanding support to Zambia’s health sector, highlighting the agency’s six-decade presence in the country.“It is now 61 years since WHO established its presence in Zambia and we highly appreciate the strong partnership and collaboration with WHO that has contributed to improve health systems in this country. The leadership of WHO is highly needed now in current geopolitical turbulence that could seriously affect the health and well-being of all people globally.”Speaking at the same briefing, Dr. Clement Lugala Peter Lasuba, WHO Country Representative to Zambia, described the Regional Committee as the continent’s premier platform for setting health priorities and addressing shared challenges.“Africa is a diverse and vibrant region, with a population of nearly 1.5 billion people….Our collective efforts are crucial in addressing the health needs of this diverse population and achieving universal health coverage, as one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have one mission: to build a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Africa,” he said.Dr Lasuba said that the meeting would be a reminder of the progress of improving health in the African region. “Through strong partnerships, innovative approaches, and evidence-based strategies, many African countries (including Zambia) have made significant strides in improving health outcomes.He, however, called for need to acknowledge the existing challenges, such as the declining official development assistance landscape, health inequalities amidst emerging infectious diseases, increasing trend of non-communicable diseases, and health emergencies. He said that the continent also faced the effects of Climate Change impacting the health and wellbeing of the people.The 75th session will focus on four strategic pillars:Expanding access to universal health coverage for one billion more people;Enhancing protection from health emergencies for one billion more people;Promoting better health and well-being for one billion more people;Strengthening WHO’s capacity to provide effective and efficient support to all countries.The WHO Regional Committee for Africa serves as the organization’s decision-making body in the region, tasked with reviewing and endorsing strategies, policies, and financial plans aimed at improving health outcomes across the continent.