Ahunna Eziakonwa is a Nigerian-born humanitarian advocating for Africa’s advancement on the global stage. As the Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Africa Bureau, she is a key figure in international development and the strategic force behind transformative initiatives reshaping the continent’s future.
The UNDP is the global development network of the United Nations. The organisation operates in approximately 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilient nations through sustainable development. This developmental body plays a central role in assisting countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on governance, inclusive growth, resilience, and environmental sustainability. In Africa, the UNDP’s role is vital. They support democratic governance to empower youth and women, aiming to unlock the continent’s full potential by using innovation, partnerships, and policy support as their main tools.
Since her appointment in 2018, Ahunna Eziakonwa has emerged as the face of Africa’s development aspirations within the UN system. As the Director of the Africa Bureau, she oversees more than 45 country offices, guides strategy, coordinates development programmes, and ensures that African voices are heard, influencing the global development narrative. She is recognised for promoting a new vision highlighting Africa’s agency and celebrating its youthful population, abundant resources, and expanding innovation hubs.
Eziakonwa’s standout initiatives
Eziakonwa has facilitated the launch of the Timbuktoo Initiative, a programme designed to enhance Africa’s innovation ecosystem by investing in startups, particularly those led by young people. The goal is to create Africa’s version of Silicon Valley and reduce youth unemployment by supporting homegrown tech solutions.
Another standout project launched under her leadership is the Africa Borderlands Centre, which focuses on unlocking the potential of remote and marginalised communities in border areas. These regions are often neglected, and initiatives like this ensure that development reaches the continent’s most vulnerable populations. The UNDP Africa Bureau also launched the Her Tenure Project to spotlight the journeys, challenges, and impact of women who have held or currently hold political or executive public office across Africa.
The Africa Bureau has experienced significant growth in development investments under her leadership. She oversees an annual budget exceeding a billion dollars in development funding for Africa, sourced from various donors and development partners. Her skill in forming strategic alliances with governments, the private sector, and regional institutions has increased UNDP’s visibility and impact on the continent.
Ahunna Eziakonwa is not only a UN executive but also a passionate pan-Africanist and public intellectual. She actively engages in global forums such as the Africa Climate Summit, the World Economic Forum, and the Africa Soft Power Series, where she advocates for narrative change, youth empowerment, and the African creative economy.
She also champions cultural diplomacy, often engaging with African creatives, storytellers, and thought leaders to shift perceptions of the continent from one of deficit to one of abundance and potential.
Ahunna Eziakonwa continues to chart new policy, innovation, and advocacy frontiers for the development of Africa.
