UN Appoints Ahunna Eziakonwa as Special Adviser on Africa

On [exact date not provided], UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Ahunna Eziakonwa from Nigeria as the Special Adviser on Africa. She succeeds Cristina Duarte from Cape Verde, who was recognized for her commitment and dedicated service to the organization.

Eziakonwa, who is currently the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has overseen support for 46 African countries in pursuing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union's Agenda 2063. Since 2018, she has played a key role in shaping UNDP's strategic approach to economic and political development across the continent.

Her extensive experience includes serving as UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Lesotho, managing humanitarian operations across 15 African countries. Eziakonwa holds a master's degree in International Affairs focused on African economic and political development from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in English Literary Studies from the University of Benin, Nigeria.