Water, sanitation, and hygiene financing in Africa, and other news (22 October 2019)

Each week we highlight some of the international development stories from across the globe that have caught our attention.

• UNICEF has published OPM’s report on the State of water, sanitation and hygiene financing in Eastern and Southern Africa, conducted through four deep-dive country assessments in Burundi, Eswatini, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The report represents a comprehensive regional analysis of financing issues in the sector, looking at access to finance and sources, quality, and equity of sector funding. It has been distributed prominently both within UNICEF and externally, with the aim to influence greater planning, budgeting, and advocacy for a more effective allocation of resources the sector.

• A team from OPM have visited the North East Medical College in Bangladesh as preparation for a technical assistance mission to provide recommendations to Bangladesh's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the UK’s Department for International Development on improving the structure, regulatory framework, and quality of medical education at graduate and diploma levels. Read more on North East Medical College’s website.

• The World Bank will provide an additional $1 billion to Ethiopia’s Central Bank to aid economic reform in the country. This is part of Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform programme, which aims to generate high-quality jobs, sustain economic growth, and create opportunities for further public investments in infrastructure, institutions, and human capital. Read more in Venture’s Africa.

• African policymakers have agreed to increase activity towards reducing the identity gap that exists across the continent. They have stated the need for increased financial resources to fund civil registration and vital statistics and ID management systems, and identified the importance of integrated identification systems to ensuring inclusive societies and basic human rights are met. Read more in Modern Ghana.

• The conclusion of a €6 million finance agreement between The Republic of Tunisia and the European Investment Bank has taken place in Washington during a bilateral meeting between the two parties to discuss future support. The agreement is part of continued financing for Tunisia’s urban centres and working class districts since 2011. Read more in Africa News.

• The African Science Granting Council meeting will be held in Tanzania next month. Bringing together 250 scientists and stakeholders from 30 countries, the meeting will focus on advancing science, technology, and innovation for sustainable development, inclusivity in research, and strengthening strategic partnerships. Read more in The Citizen (Tanzania).