Nigeria, UNDP Renew Commitment to AfCFTA, Women’s Leadership, SDGs

Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have renewed their commitment to deepening cooperation on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), women’s leadership, youth empowerment and sustainable development across Africa.

The renewed partnership was reaffirmed on Monday when the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, hosted the UNDP Regional Director for Africa and United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, in Abuja.

The meeting reviewed the long-standing partnership between Nigeria and the United Nations, with discussions centring on democratic governance, regional integration, peacebuilding and the implementation of Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities under the 4-Ds framework of Development, Democracy, Demography and Diaspora.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu congratulated Eziakonwa on her appointment as UN Assistant Secretary-General, describing the elevation as a proud moment for Nigeria and the African continent.

She commended the UNDP Regional Director for her contributions to international development and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its collaboration with the United Nations to promote sustainable development, democratic governance and regional prosperity.

Briefing the minister, Eziakonwa highlighted the outcome of the recently concluded regional dialogue on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which Nigeria hosted in partnership with the UNDP.

She praised Nigeria’s leadership in driving regional economic integration, stressing that the country’s active engagement remains critical to the success of the continent’s flagship trade agreement.

According to her, the UNDP remains committed to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to promote inclusive economic growth, entrepreneurship, innovation, stronger regional value chains and expanded intra-African trade.

The discussions also focused on expanding opportunities for women and young people across Africa.

Eziakonwa highlighted the achievements of the UNDP Regional Leadership Programme, which mentors outstanding young African women through leadership training, networking and engagement with accomplished African leaders.

She invited the minister to serve as a mentor and speaker at upcoming sessions of the programme, noting that her experience in public service would inspire a new generation of women leaders. She also extended an invitation to Odumegwu-Ojukwu to participate in a high-level gathering of African women leaders scheduled for August 2026.

Responding, the minister welcomed the initiatives and reiterated Nigeria’s support for programmes that strengthen women’s political participation, leadership development and youth empowerment.

She said empowering the next generation of African leaders remains essential to achieving sustainable peace, democratic governance and inclusive development across the continent.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with the United Nations and the UNDP in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and other initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of Africans.

Both parties also exchanged views on regional and global developments, underscoring the importance of multilateral cooperation, resilient institutions, inclusive governance and innovative partnerships in addressing Africa’s evolving development challenges.