United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has selected Ahunna Eziakonwa, a Nigerian national, to serve as his new Special Adviser on Africa. The announcement came on Friday, marking a significant appointment for the continent.
Eziakonwa steps into the role succeeding Cristina Duarte from Cabo Verde. Guterres expressed gratitude for Duarte’s dedicated service and commitment to the organization during her tenure.
With nearly three decades of experience within the United Nations system, Eziakonwa brings a wealth of leadership to her new position. She currently holds the posts of UN Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator, and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In these capacities, she oversees UN support to 46 African nations in achieving Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, alongside the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Since 2018, she has been instrumental in shaping UNDP’s strategic approach to economic and political development across Africa. Her background encompasses the full spectrum of UN operations on the continent.
Previously, Eziakonwa served as UN Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator, and UNDP Resident Representative in three countries: Ethiopia, Uganda, and Lesotho. In these roles, she coordinated humanitarian efforts, development strategies, and political engagement. She also led the Africa Section at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in New York, managing humanitarian operations across 15 African countries. During critical periods, she held senior positions in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
At UN Headquarters, she contributed to peacekeeping, political analysis, and strategic communications regarding UN engagement in Africa, working with the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations, Political Affairs, and Public Information. Before joining the UN, she worked with several African civil society organizations.
Eziakonwa holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs, with a focus on African economic and political development, from Columbia University in New York. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Pedagogy, English, and Literary Studies from the University of Benin in Nigeria. Fluent in Igbo and English, she also speaks Yoruba fluently and has a working knowledge of French.