The Africa the World Needs - Cristina Duarte - UN Under-Secretary-General & Special Adviser on Africa

Awake At Night

Cristina Duarte always brings great passion to any task she takes on. Now Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, she works tirelessly to help the continent imagine a better tomorrow, one which not only meets its people’s needs, but also fulfills their dreams.

“The Africa we want is the Africa the world needs … [one that gives Africans] the social space to fully exercise all the entitlements of a human being.”

Born to an activist father who was integral to independence movements across Lusophone Africa, Cristina Duarte grew up instilled with Pan-African values. In this episode, the former finance minister reflects on her role in reforming Cabo Verde’s economy, on bringing power to remote villages, and how one chance encounter changed her mind about marriage.