New strategies are required for Africa's complete development.

As a result, the 2023 United Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Africa will explore innovative solutions for Africa's developmental challenges.

The four-day meeting will explore innovative approaches that harness foresight and technology to reclaim Africa's development trajectory as well as assess progress made towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Africa has regressed in attaining commitments made in the 2008 Declaration on Accelerating the Achievement of Water and Sanitation Goals. 

This is according to Namibia's Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, who officially opened the 7th Africa Sanitation and Hygiene Conference at Swakopmund.

The five-day conference is a platform for technical and political dialogue with governments and stakeholders to address sanitation and hygiene challenges in Africa.

Namibia's commitment to transparency and open communication has helped the country remain a beacon for media freedom in Africa.

These were the remarks of the Executive Director in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), Dr. Audrin Mathe, who spoke during the opening ceremony of the 10th edition of the International Festival of Freedom of Expression and the Press.

Many journalists in Africa work under difficult conditions, with harassment and threats a daily part of their lives.

Africa should be allowed to strike a balance between transitioning to clean energy production and using its oil and gas discoveries to develop and industrialise.

This is just one of the arguments brought forward during the Africa Energy Week conference underway in Cape Town, South Africa.

More than 600 million Africans are said to be facing energy insecurity, despite the continent being endowed with natural resources to produce electricity.

Social protection coverage remains severely limited in Africa, despite the existence of social protection policies. This was evident from the contributions made during the International Council on Social Welfare Africa Seminar that was held in the capital.

Africa currently boasts the lowest social protection coverage globally, with only 17% of the continent's total population benefiting from these programmes. This is in stark contrast to the global average of 47%.

"As heads of state and governments, we must aim to close the water investment gap in Africa for the achievement of not only the water-related SDG targets on the continent, important as they are, but to enable the African continent to achieve her overall developmental goals."

This was the clarion call by President Hage Geingob during the launch of the International High-Level Panel Campaign, titled Mind the Gap: Invest in Water Raising Ambition, in a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein.

Lately, it seems like military coups are the order of the day in central and western Africa, with an increase in coups seen in that part of the continent, especially over the past three years.

The latest coup on the continent is currently still unfolding in Gabon, where the military took over power and ousted President Ali Bongo last Wednesday, shortly after he had been named the winner of last week's contested election.

The situation in Gabon marks the 10th coup or attempt to overthrow the government in west and central Africa.

The South African Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, says Africa's transport sector needs to redouble its intra-trade efforts to optimise the Trans Kalahari Corridor.

She was speaking at the Trans-Kalahari Corridor ministerial council meeting in Windhoek.

Chikunga revealed that trading among African nations stands at less than 16% in comparison with trading between Africa and the European region, which is over 75%.

The African continent needs well-organised youth leaders to foster development for the future of its generations.

These were the words of Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila at the Pan-Afrikan Renaissance, the second Young Afrikans Leadership Summit (YALS), held in Windhoek on Friday.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says it is time that young Africans participate in decision-making and move to the forefront of Africa's economic development agenda.

Africa's position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is clear, and that is to de-escalate tension and allow dialogue to ensue, says President Hage Geingob.

He reiterated this position during brief talks with Russia's new Ambassador to Namibia, Dmitry Lobach, at State House.

Russia has welcomed Africa's stance in the conflict, describing it as non-politicised and neutral.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to disrupt the global food supply.

Both parties stated they remain open to dialogue, but cited recent developments from all sides to the contrary.