Opinions

What our community is saying about the latest news and issues.

Our opinion articles are written by third-party contributors and contain clear points of view supported by evidence. An op-ed does not necessarily represent the opinions of Devex, and may in fact at times contradict them. Read our opinion guidelines to submit a piece.

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To solve Africa’s jobs crisis, measure music like manufacturing

To solve Africa’s jobs crisis, measure music like manufacturing

Opinion: The World Bank has spent decades making it easier to start businesses in Africa. What if it spent the next decade making it easier to monetize creativity on the continent?

Rising climate shocks threaten health in 2026 — here’s how to respond

Rising climate shocks threaten health in 2026 — here’s how to respond

Opinion: How do we protect access to health care when countries are losing the fiscal space to do it?

It’s not too late to reverse course on financing women and girls

It’s not too late to reverse course on financing women and girls

Opinion: Investing in the “three Cs” is an opportunity to benefit women and girls, and society in general.

For the ‘outcomes reflex’ to become a World Bank norm, incentives are key

For the ‘outcomes reflex’ to become a World Bank norm, incentives are key

Opinion: As the World Bank’s outcome-oriented approach takes hold, aligning incentives will ensure this shift is a durable one.

India’s data-sharing model can help unlock credit for the ‘last billion’

India’s data-sharing model can help unlock credit for the ‘last billion’

Opinion: Building digital infrastructure isn’t enough — financial inclusion requires better data sharing. India’s Account Aggregator framework offers a blueprint for a secure, consent-driven way to onboard 1.3 billion people into the financial system.

This jubilee year must herald a new era of debt relief for the world

This jubilee year must herald a new era of debt relief for the world

Opinion: And it should come in the form of a “HOPE” initiative.

The Kenya-US health deal is pragmatic, but could have been done better

The Kenya-US health deal is pragmatic, but could have been done better

Opinion: Kenya made a pragmatic choice in a crisis. However, that shouldn’t require sacrificing principles and the world should build systems where developing countries can access critical health funding without having to choose between investment and sovereignty.

Ambitious climate pledges mean little without systems to follow through

Ambitious climate pledges mean little without systems to follow through

Opinion: Brazil called COP30 the implementation summit. But delivery on climate action is carried out beyond COP, by local governments, ministries, and community groups.

Africa has made bold health commitments. Now it must finance them

Africa has made bold health commitments. Now it must finance them

Opinion: Across Africa, the belief in universal health care is not new, and neither are the declarations, compacts and strategies that promise to deliver it. But as the proverb says, “A chattering bird builds no nest.”

Our work is redefining cancer care in Africa. Now we need global partners

Our work is redefining cancer care in Africa. Now we need global partners

Opinion: Our clinical research in Nairobi, and alliances with pan-African cancer treatment centers is delivering positive results to patients on the continent.

Rethinking development funding means making it matter to the median voter

Rethinking development funding means making it matter to the median voter

Opinion: Development assistance that connects global impact with national interest is a formula that voters can understand.

Côte d’Ivoire’s bid to take a leading role in African climate investment

Côte d’Ivoire’s bid to take a leading role in African climate investment

Opinion: With a new NDC, a major “blue economy” program, and a call for equitable global climate finance, Côte d’Ivoire is seeking to position itself as a climate policy leader in West Africa.

How debt is undermining countries’ fight against climate change

How debt is undermining countries’ fight against climate change

Opinion: As global south nations are forced to devote scarce public resources to servicing record-high external debt, they are left fiscally constrained and unable to invest in urgent climate action and resilient infrastructure.

The US is breaking a lifesaving global food aid system

The US is breaking a lifesaving global food aid system

Opinion: Moving Food for Peace, a key humanitarian program that has survived cuts to U.S. aid so far, to the U.S. Department of Agriculture would be a grave mistake.

HIV is not over in Asia-Pacific: A wake-up call from Fiji

HIV is not over in Asia-Pacific: A wake-up call from Fiji

Opinion: As Fiji’s epidemic surges tenfold, we need urgent action — scale up proven tools, embed care in primary health, and end stigma.

South Africa pulled off a G20 diplomatic feat. Will it serve development?

South Africa pulled off a G20 diplomatic feat. Will it serve development?

Opinion: The South African G20 presidency secured a full consensus declaration that put Africa center stage despite U.S. opposition. The real task is maintaining this crucial momentum for sustainable development.

Hopeful signs are emerging from the US global health strategy

Hopeful signs are emerging from the US global health strategy

Opinion: Partnerships with Gilead and Zipline signal a shift toward enterprise-driven development, focusing on innovation, measurable outcomes, and economic growth alongside health impact.

‘We do not lack qualified women:’ Why the next UN leader must be a woman

‘We do not lack qualified women:’ Why the next UN leader must be a woman

Opinion: We lack the will to nominate them — and that must change in the search for the next U.N. secretary-general.

How can NGOs leverage their effectiveness in the post-aid world?

How can NGOs leverage their effectiveness in the post-aid world?

Opinion: Facing sharp aid cuts and shrinking trust, NGOs are at a historic crossroads. This moment demands a radical rethink of how civil society can stay relevant, effective, and resilient in the changing development landscape.

Africa's youth are on the front line of the AMR fight, but we need EU help

Africa's youth are on the front line of the AMR fight, but we need EU help

Opinion: As antibiotics fail, preventable deaths will surge. Africa's youth are spearheading crucial behavioural change and advocacy campaigns, but need urgent support from leaders at the AU-EU summit and beyond.

COP30 paves the way for climate action to start with social protection

COP30 paves the way for climate action to start with social protection

Opinion: If we want climate action to work, we need to start with the people already taking the hit — mainly rural households. COP30 finally put this on the table.

Tax transparency can fuel the fight against climate change

Tax transparency can fuel the fight against climate change

Opinion: Implementing tax transparency via public country-by-country reporting is a innovative step to mobilize domestic resources and tackle profit shifting.

Global south's TB diagnostics innovations are key to fight the epidemic

Global south's TB diagnostics innovations are key to fight the epidemic

Opinion: As G7 aid cuts threaten TB programs, affordable diagnostics developed in the global south offer a path forward for high-burden countries to help close the testing gap and save lives.

Why crop diversity is key for the future of food

Why crop diversity is key for the future of food

Opinion: Crop diversity, nurtured over centuries, is eroding fast. A global gathering in Lima, Peru, will determine whether we can safeguard the genetic resources needed to feed future generations.

Africa can feed the world if the G20 frees it from debt

Africa can feed the world if the G20 frees it from debt

Opinion: Crushing debt in Africa is diverting resources from agriculture — the continent's greatest potential. The G20 summit is a test of whether the world will finally allow Africa to invest in its own future.

Amid aid cuts, these countries have ramped up global health cooperation

Amid aid cuts, these countries have ramped up global health cooperation

Opinion: As major donors reduce global health funding, countries such as China, Angola, Ethiopia, and Pakistan are stepping up.

3 things we have lost with the dissolution of USAID

3 things we have lost with the dissolution of USAID

Opinion: The agency's abrupt closure has left gaps in U.S. foreign policy that will take years to rebuild — and may have permanently damaged America's reputation abroad.

From aid to trade? The US just stumbled on its own Africa strategy

From aid to trade? The US just stumbled on its own Africa strategy

Opinion: With the quiet expiration of AGOA and the dismantling of USAID, the Trump administration has shut down U.S. foreign policy tools in Africa, ceding ground to China's zero-tariff policies.

Smart policies, not more dependence, will boost Africa’s health financing

Smart policies, not more dependence, will boost Africa’s health financing

Opinion: With the right strategies following aid cuts, Africa’s health financing can shift from crisis mode to a system of long-term, financial resilience that sees capital retained and reinvested within the continent.

The best move amid aid cuts is to direct remaining funds to communities

The best move amid aid cuts is to direct remaining funds to communities

Opinion: A survey of community organizations providing HIV services in South Africa highlights their precarious financial situation and the catastrophic frontline risks of redirecting remaining funding away from local community response.

America’s bipartisan peace agenda is going dark, along with US leadership

America’s bipartisan peace agenda is going dark, along with US leadership

Opinion: A bipartisan law on the inclusion of women in peace and security efforts requires a report to be published, updating Congress on progress. It is now overdue, dealing a powerful blow to U.S. global leadership in the peace agenda.

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