TAF AFRICA’S ENGAGEMENT AT THE GLOBAL DISABILITY SUMMIT (GDS) 2025 IN BERLIN, GERMANY

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025 convened global leaders, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), international development stakeholders, private sector actors, and civil society organizations in Amman, Jordan, to advance the global agenda for disability inclusion. TAF Africa, through strategic engagements and thought leadership, significantly contributed to the summit’s core themes of inclusive employment, political participation, social protection, and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities (PWDs). This report provides a detailed overview of key highlights, TAF Africa’s strategic visibility, contributions of the CEO/Founder Amb. Jake Epelle and implications for our organizational programming moving forward.

2. OPENING HIGHLIGHTS AND SUMMIT CONTEXT

Day 1 of the GDS 2025 set the tone for an urgent and sustained global commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities, reaffirming that disability inclusion is non-negotiable.

Key highlights include:

Presentation of Regional Summits: Findings from regional consultations conducted over two years informed the global commitments presented at GDS2025.

Key Global Voices:

His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan highlighted Jordan’s progress in disability inclusion since becoming a co-host and called for stronger global action to protect persons with disabilities, especially in conflict zones.
H.E. Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germany, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to disability inclusion, announcing support for inclusive education and the 15% for 15% target.
Dr. Nawaf Kabbara, President of the International Disability Alliance, emphasized the role of OPDs, urging that they be recognized as decision-makers and that inclusion must be reflected in every plan and budget.
Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, emphasized the urgency of reinvigorating efforts toward the lagging disability targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Opening II saw additional commitments:

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, announced a new initiative that brings together health and disability organizations to enhance collaboration and impact.

Charlotte Young, IDA Youth Ambassador, presented the Youth Call to Action, ensuring that young voices are central to the disability rights movement.

Sanja Tarczay, President of the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB), shared key takeaways from the Civil Society Forum (CSF) and presented the Civil Society Declaration.

H.E. Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, Minister of International Development, Norway, reinforced Norway’s legacy as a GDS co-host and announced increased funding for development aid.

Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), announced a new initiative focused on accessible cities and declared UN-Habitat’s endorsement of the Amman-Berlin Declaration.

Marie Luise Abomo, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, called on African states to ratify the Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

3. TAF AFRICA’S STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENTS

3.1 High-Level Panel Participation: Inclusive Labour Markets and Decent Work

Amb. Jake Epelle, CEO/Founder of TAF Africa, served as a panellist in the session titled “Shaping Inclusive Labour Markets and Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities.”

• The session explored policy implementation challenges under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) within employment systems.

Key panellists included:

Erol Kiresepi, Honorary President at International Organisation of Employers (IOE)
Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation
Caroline Casey, Founder and Director, The Valuable 500

TAF Africa’s Contribution:

Amb. Epelle acknowledged Nigeria’s efforts in building capacity for PWDs through policy and skill development programs.
He advocated for deeper collaboration between government and OPDs to scale inclusive job access.
Emphasis was placed on the enabling role of legal frameworks and innovative partnerships to remove systemic employment barriers.
Persons with disabilities were motivated to stand up for themselves and unite their voices towards self-empowerment and growth.

3.2 Fireside Chat Host: TAF Africa Disability Inclusion Forum

TAF Africa independently hosted a side event titled “TAF Africa Disability Inclusion Forum,” providing a platform to showcase Nigeria’s efforts in mainstreaming disability in political and economic spaces.

Speakers:

Hon. Dr. Yusuf T. Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
Amb. Jake Epelle, CEO/Founder, TAF Africa
Alhaji Zayyanu Umar-Aliero, Kebbi State Commissioner for Special Duties

Key Discussion Points:

Dr. Sununu elaborated on the positive impact of social intervention programs like the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) on poverty reduction within the disability community.

Amb. Epelle highlighted TAF Africa’s innovative programs:

Able to Vote – Promoting PWDs electoral participation through voting
Electability – Enhancing visibility and engagement through political campaigns and vying for elective positions.
Able to Serve – Advocating inclusive governance through political appointments.

The chat emphasized collective responsibility across sectors to drive systemic change.

4. DAY 2: THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND GLOBAL REPORT LAUNCH

4.1 Launch of the Global Disability Inclusion Report

The Global Disability Inclusion Report: Accelerating Disability Inclusion in a Changing and Diverse World, developed for the Global Disability Summit 2025, examines these challenges and outlines concrete pathways for change.

The report is the result of a collaborative effort of several UN agencies, the International Disability Alliance, the International Disability and Development Consortium, and their members and academia. It has been funded mostly by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with co-funding from the London Stock Exchange Group and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

The report highlights:

The impact of global trends like climate change, technology, and urbanization
Legal, policy, and financing measures to drive inclusion.
Strategies for inclusive education and humanitarian action, healthcare, employment, and social protection

The report offers a valuable roadmap for our policy engagement and programming in 2025 and beyond.

4.2 Side Event Panel: Companies as Allies for Inclusive Employment

Amb. Jake Epelle again represented TAF Africa as a panellist at this high-impact session that brought together private sector leaders and disability advocates.

Panelists included:

Andy Garrett, Director – GSK Global Workplace Adjustments Service
Jürgen Menze, Disability Inclusion Specialist, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Nadine Schönwald, Inclusion officer, Board UnternehmensForum,
Susan Scott-Parker, Business Disability International (Moderator)

TAF Africa’s Key Contribution:

Amb. Epelle emphasized the importance of education, digital skills, and professional readiness among persons with disabilities to boost their employability.

He presented the Framework for the National Access to Work Scheme, co-developed by TAF Africa and NCPWD with funding from Sightsavers, which supports private employers to employ qualified persons with disabilities by providing technical and material support.

5. STRATEGIC VISIBILITY AND INSTITUTIONAL IMPACT

TAF Africa’s strategic positioning at GDS 2025 achieved the following:

Enhanced Global Visibility: TAF Africa’s voice resonated on critical issues of inclusive governance and employment through speaking engagements and hosting a side event.

Strengthened Partnerships: Our presence created pathways for deeper collaboration with global development agencies, OPDs, and private sector actors like the Christoffel Blinden Mission, Sightsavers International, International Disability and Development Consortium, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, etc.

Inspiration for Action: TAF Africa’s programs, Able to Vote, Electability, Able to serve and the Access to Work Scheme, were used as models of good practice, inspiring replication and adaptation.

Stakeholders’ Preparedness for a Disability Inclusive Governorship Election in Anambra State

PRESS STATEMENT TAF AFRICA TO HOST LIVE TELEVISION STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT ON DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE ELECTION PREPAREDNESS IN ANAMBRA STATE In its sustained effort to promote disability-inclusive democratic processes in Nigeria, TAF Africa, with funding support from the European Union through the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN 11) Programme, will host a Live Television Stakeholders’ Engagement on the preparedness of key institutions to deliver a disability inclusive governorship election in Anambra State. The 2-hour live broadcast is scheduled for Sunday, 12th October 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It will besimultaneously streamed from Anambra state on Arise Television, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Awka, and the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) to ensure wider public reach and visibility. The televised engage1nent aims to provide a public platform for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, the media, and the community of persons with disabilities (PWDs) to discuss institutional readiness, collaboration, and commitments toward ensuring an accessible, inclusive, and credible election in Anambra State on November 8, 2025. According to Ambassador Jake Epelle, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, “Elections are not truly democratic until every eligible citizen, including persons with disabilities, can participate on an equal basis. This live engagement provides an avenue for transparency, public accountability, and shared responsibility among critical stakeholders ahead of the Anambra governorship election.” The engagement will feature two high-level panel sessions. The first session, moderated by Amb. Jake Epelle will bring together representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to discuss institutional and security preparedness. The second session, moderated by George Anwayi, Senior Programme Officer at TAF Africa, will engage media executives and disability advocates, including the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), the General Manager of NTA Awka, and the Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service, to explore inclusive media coverage and public awareness strategies. This live engagement forms part of TAF Africa’s broader #AbletoVote campaign under the EU-SDGN II programme, designed to strengthen disability-inclusive electoral reforms, promote civic participation, and inspire public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system. TAF Africa aims to create a barrier-free political environment that promotes the full participation of persons with disabilities in the country’s democratic journey by bringing critical voices to the table and broadcasting the discussion live to millions of Nigerians. For media enquiries, please contact: Lynn Agwuncha, Senior Communication Officer, TAF Africa, 07068091367 or l.agwuncha@tafafrica.co https://youtu.be/k89KkHX5u7c

TAF Africa and European Union in Nigeria make history with first PWD Legislative Internship program

https://youtu.be/yHteZEpn1oU History was made at Nigeria’s National Assembly! For the first time, interns with disabilities worked inside legislative committees, shaping conversations and proving that democracy is stronger when it is inclusive. Watch their inspiring journey in TAF Africa‘s new documentary, funded by the European Union in Nigeria under its European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme.

TAF Africa hosts Capacity building workshop on Disability-Inclusive Budgeting and Budget Analysis for Disability Cluster Leaders in River State funded by Disability Rights Fund

DRFCapacity building workshop on Disability-Inclusive Budgeting 17 DRFCapacity building workshop on Disability-Inclusive Budgeting 16 DRFCapacity building workshop on Disability-Inclusive Budgeting 15 DRFCapacity building workshop on Disability-Inclusive Budgeting 14 TAF Africa hosted a Capacity building workshop on Disability-Inclusive Budgeting and Budget Analysis for Disability Cluster Leaders in River State, funded by Disability Rights Fund. The objective of this workshop is to strengthen the capability of Disability Leaders to advocate for equitable budgetary allocations in line with the Rivers State Disability Law and the Sustainable Development Goals. The workship focused on strategies and best practices to influence Budget priorities through advocacy and engagement, presented by our Senior programme officer George Anwayi Dominic. Participants also delivered a group work on analysing Budget allocations for disability inclusion (sectoral focus -Education, health and social welfare). This session was facilitated by Dr. Igochukwu Wali, Director Budget, River State ministry of Budget and economic planning.

Mr. Ralph-Michael Peters visits TAF Africa HQ

EU delegation visits TAF 3 EU delegation visits TAF 2 EU delegation visits TAF 1 EU delegation visits TAF The team leader & Political Analyst, European Union Election Follow-up Mission to Nigeria, Mr. Ralph-Michael Peters visited us yesterday. He came to follow up on the implementation status of the European Union in Nigeria Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) recommendations from the 2023 General Elections, particularly on disability inclusion.