Group amplifies Africa’s voice on feminist justice

From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

A group under the auspices of African Network for Economic and Environmental Justice (ANEEJ) has reaffirmed its leadership in advancing gender-responsive development, and Africa-driven reforms at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), held in Seville, Spain.

This was contained in a document made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The statement stated that the Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, while speaking at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), held in Seville, Spain, stressed the significance of Beneficial Ownership (BO) reforms for Africa, particularly in addressing the persistent hemorrhaging of public resources through IFFs.

According to him, Africa is losing billions annually through illicit flows, saying BO transparency is a foundational tool in halting this trend.

He further emphasized the need for increased support to African civil society organisations leading advocacy efforts at national and regional levels.

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Director of Open Ownership, Tom Townsend praised the inclusion of beneficial ownership in the FfD4 Outcome Document as a pivotal achievement, describing the conference as a rare opportunity to galvanize political will and deepen reform momentum.

In his paper presentation titled ‘Equitable Ecological and Development Cooperation as Feminist Justice’, the ANEEJ’s Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Leo Atakpu, called for a transformative approach to climate finance and development policy—one that centers equity, inclusivity, and gender justice, he said.

He expressed concern that the FfD4 Outcome Document fell short in reflecting feminist priorities, warning that failure to integrate feminist concerns is not just a missed opportunity, but it perpetuates structural silence.