How Global Development Finance Deals Can Actually Drive Local Impact | Future of Africa Episode 3

Making promises on financing for development is the easy part. Following through on them is hard. Ambassador Chola Milambo speaks frankly about turning global financing commitments into tangible benefits for African communities. Chidi Okpala highlights the role of innovative private-sector partnerships, while Tumi Mkhizi Malebo offers a youth perspective on making finance work for the next generation and Nabila Ageule emphasizes the particularly important role of young women. Together, they map out what it takes to bridge the gap between conference promises and action on the ground, from transparency and inclusive planning to youth-led monitoring of how funds are actually spent.

If you’ve ever wondered why big financial agreements rarely reach the people they’re meant to serve, this episode offers both the diagnosis and the solution.

Guests

• Ambassador Dr. Chola Milambo, Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations

• Chidi Okpala, Executive Director of Group Integration and Strategy, Heirs Holdings

• Nabila Aguele, Chief Executive, Nigeria at the Malala Fund

• Tumi Mkhize Malebo, United Nations Foundation Partnerships Next Generation Fellow

Background Materials

• Africa: Unlocking Africa's Future - The Imperative of Domestic Resource Mobilization, All Africa

• Foresight Africa: Top Priorities of the Continent 2025-2030, Brookings Institution

• Our Future Agenda Quarterly Rewriting the Rules of Finance, Our Future Agenda