Despite Africa’s extremely limited emissions contribution to climate change, its producers and exporters are now at risk of adverse effects to their businesses owing to the interpretation of net-zero by large European retailers.
African producers and exporters are facing a more complex trading landscape, despite contributing very little to the climate emergency. Government policies on ‘net-zero’ in Europe are resulting in ‘green knee-jerk reactions’ which are increasingly demonizing imported agricultural produce. Consumers and retailers are seeking quick, clear, and marketable cuts in their emissions, which puts imported produce at risk.
There is a widespread perception among consumers that produce grown close to their homes is associated with lower emissions. However, the scientific evidence from lifecycle assessments shows this is not the case across food groups and seasons. The lack of internationally agreed common accounting frameworks exacerbates the risks of retailers adopting sourcing strategies that undermine development and climate goals.
This is imposing an ‘unjust green squeeze’ on African producers as retailer supply chains react to new policies and public perceptions, and seek to limit their exposure to imported produce. This process is not conducive to the advancement of sustainable development, nor the Sustainable Development Goals, which include reference to responsible consumption and production.
Indeed, it risks imposing a ‘double green whammy’ on African producers of agrifoods who will lose economic opportunities overseas, which will limit the expansion of formal employment opportunities within more resilient and technologically sophisticated sectors: an imperative for climate change adaptation strategies.
Net-zero policies are accelerating the integration of corporate sustainability due diligence, but unless carefully managed, they will raise both compliance costs and the perceived risks of sourcing from African countries that lack the appropriate institutional support to adapt. The corporate trend towards environmental and social governance reporting likewise risks marginalising producers from the Global South.
The international transportation sector is progressing differently, with the aviation industry adopting internal carbon markets to reduce emissions. The international maritime sector is likely to impose levies, as called for in the Paris Pact and for which support is to be further harnessed at the Africa Climate Summit.
There remains some uncertainty regarding UK policy on initiatives like carbon border measures, whilst the EU’s system is being implemented now. At the international level, the rule book on carbon markets remains to be completed – with progress needed at COP28 including on the interoperability of carbon markets as well as overarching governance to ensure environmental integrity.
The expansion of formal employment opportunities in the agricultural sector for many countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been underpinned by the success of high-value exports, including those destined for UK consumers. The integration of producers in SSA into UK supermarket value chains has been instrumental in keeping consumer prices low and expanding the range of products available throughout the year. At the same time, the success of the industry for African exporters to the UK and EU has fostered outward investments within Africa, expanding jobs and economic opportunities. Furthermore, these agricultural sectors have benefitted from landscape-level improvements to agricultural systems, including higher standards in production and cold chain, technology transfer, higher skills, improved food security, and a stronger, larger, more diversified sector.
The Africa Climate Summit is being convened within the context of the known policy spillovers from climate change mitigation policies on international trade, but the international policy discourse is silent on what measures are being taken to address their repercussions. This needs to change. Whilst trade and investment policies do not feature within the agenda, they intersect each of the agenda items, especially adaptation. There is an urgent need to ensure that African producers are not penalised by net-zero policy spillovers on international trade and investment – we remain hopeful that the Nairobi declaration can make progress on this front.
Views expressed in this article do not reflect the position of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation(KBC)
James MacGregor is an (Independent Consultant) and Jodie Keane (Senior Research Fellow, ODI, the global affairs think tank)
This op-ed is part of a thought-provoking series of ideas and pieces, developed by ODI, the global affairs think tank, and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It aims to illustrate the synergy between development and climate goals.
Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid) has announced the launch of two new fully redundant terrestrial routes-Kenya to Ethiopia and Zambia to Malawi.
Spanning over 1000 km, the fibre link between Kenya and Ethiopia offers businesses in Ethiopia access to data centres and cloud in Nairobi ensuring that data doesn’t leave the continent.
In addition, the link is further supported by the cross-border 711 km link between Zambia and Malawi, providing a direct and reliable connection to content caches and data centres in South Africa.
According to Adil El Youssefi- CEO Rest of Africa at Liquid Intelligent Technologies, “Kenyan and Ethiopian businesses are rapidly adopting digital technologies, and this new link will enable trade and investment between these two great nations in our region. For Liquid Kenya, we see this growing demand being catalysed by the Kenya Kwanza Government’s Digital Superhighway Initiative , and this 1000 km of newly lit fibre is our first contribution to the private sector investment into this flagship project”.
In partnership with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) and Ethiopia Electric Power (EEP), Liquid’s new link connects Nairobi and Mega, a town in southern Ethiopia, and provides a capacity of four terabytes per second.
Complementing the existing terrestrial routes across this border, the Kenya-Ethiopia route will now have carrier-grade connectivity, which serves to rapidly expand data traffic on the route.
“All initiatives undertaken by businesses under Cassava Technologies work towards realising our vision of a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind. The completion of these fibre links is yet another milestone achieved by Liquid as it continues to lay the foundations of economic growth through increased access to high-speed connectivity,” says Hardy Pemhiwa, President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies.
The fibre network will provide Kenya and Ethiopia with measurable benefits in terms of connectivity performance and accessibility as it connects the underserved towns of Suswa, Sereolipi, Ndaragwa and Marsabit, as well as Nairobi and Mega.
Liquid aims to catalyse African growth through its intelligent fibre backbone, providing cost-effective, regional internet connectivity that enhances digital transformation. These milestones foster richer economic and technological ties across countries and the continent, helping African companies and individuals realise their potential within the digital economy on a local and global scale.
Apple has unveiled iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max designed with aerospace-grade titanium.
The new design also features contoured edges and a customizable Action button, allowing users to personalize their iPhone experience.
Powerful camera upgrades enable the equivalent of seven pro lenses with incredible image quality, including a more advanced 48MP Main camera system that now supports the new super-high-resolution 24MP default, the next generation of portraits with Focus and Depth Control, improvements to Night mode and Smart HDR, and an all-new 5x Telephoto camera exclusively on iPhone 15 Pro Max. A17 Pro unlocks next-level gaming experiences and pro performance.
The new USB‑C connector is supercharged with USB 3 speeds — up to 20x faster than USB 2 — and together with new video formats, enables powerful pro workflows that were not possible before. And with the addition of Roadside Assistance via satellite, the iPhone 15 Pro lineup builds on Apple’s innovative satellite infrastructure to connect users to help if they have car trouble while off the grid.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in four stunning new finishes, including black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 15, with availability beginning Friday, September 22.
“This is the most pro lineup we have ever created, with a state-of-the-art titanium design, the best iPhone camera system yet that enables game-changing new workflows, and the A17 Pro chip, which ushers in a new chapter of performance and games never before seen on iPhone,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
“iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max represent the best of Apple design and industry-first innovations to help enrich the everyday experiences of our users, while enabling them to unleash their creativity,” he added.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in four stunning new finishes: black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium.
A Stunning, Lightweight, and Durable Design
Available in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch display sizes, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature a strong and lightweight titanium design — a first for iPhone.
The all-new Action button replaces the single-function switch used to toggle between ring and silent, offering additional options so users can choose between quickly accessing the camera or flashlight; activating Voice Memos, Focus modes, Translate, and accessibility features like Magnifier; or using Shortcuts for more options. A press-and-hold gesture with fine-tuned haptic feedback and visual cues in the Dynamic Island ensure the new button launches the intended action.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature the thinnest borders ever on iPhone, the Ceramic Shield front cover, and new contoured edges.
A17 Pro: A New Generation of Apple Silicon for iPhone
Bringing pro performance and capabilities, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are powered by A17 Pro, the industry’s first 3-nanometer chip. The new CPU is up to 10 percent faster with microarchitectural and design improvements, and the Neural Engine is now up to 2x faster, powering features like autocorrect and Personal Voice in iOS 17. The pro-class GPU is up to 20 percent faster and unlocks entirely new experiences, featuring a new 6-core design that increases peak performance and energy efficiency.
A17 Pro includes a dedicated AV1 decoder, enabling more efficient, high-quality video experiences for streaming services. Additionally, a new USB controller enables USB 3 speeds on iPhone for the first time, now supporting much higher transfer speeds and video output up to 4K at 60 fps HDR.
A Powerful Pro Camera System for More Creative Control
Through a deep integration of hardware and software, the advanced camera systems on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max both pack the equivalent of seven pro lenses — all enabled by A17 Pro. With the power of computational photography, the 48MP Main camera, built exclusively for the Pro lineup, gives users even more flexibility with a new 24MP super-high-resolution default, offering incredible image quality at a practical file size ideal for storing and sharing. The Main camera allows users to switch between three popular focal lengths — 24 mm, 28 mm, and 35 mm — and even choose one as a new default. In addition to 48MP ProRAW, the Main camera also supports 48MP HEIF images with 4x more resolution. iPhone 15 Pro features an expansive 3x Telephoto camera, and iPhone 15 Pro Max provides the longest optical zoom ever on iPhone: 5x at 120 mm.
Next-generation portraits on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature sharper detail, more vivid colors, and better low-light performance. For the first time, users can take portraits without having to switch to Portrait mode.
In addition to 48MP ProRAW, users can now shoot in 48MP HEIF, with four times more resolution than before.
Additional features that benefit all cameras on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max include:
Night mode gets better with sharper details and more vivid colors, now powered by the Photonic Engine, including Night mode portraits, enabled by the LiDAR scanner.
New Smart HDR captures subjects and the background with more true-to-life renderings of skin tones, while ensuring photos have brighter highlights, richer midtones, and deeper shadows when viewed in the Photos app. This advanced HDR rendering is also available to third-party apps, so images can look even better when shared online.
The best quality video in a smartphone is upgraded thanks to A17 Pro, with improvements in low-light video and Action mode.
Users can now get up to 20x faster transfer speeds with an optional USB 3 cable. iPhone and third-party solutions like Capture One also help photographers create a pro studio, allowing them to shoot and instantly transfer 48MP ProRAW images from iPhone to Mac. ProRes video can be recorded directly to external storage, enabling higher recording options up to 4K at 60 fps, and greater flexibility on set when using iPhone as the main camera. iPhone 15 Pro also introduces a new option for Log encoding and is the first smartphone in the world to support ACES, the Academy Color Encoding System, a global standard for color workflows.
The Pro lineup enables powerful workflows for photographers and filmmakers that previously weren’t possible. Now with Capture One, users can shoot on iPhone and instantly transfer 48MP ProRAW directly to a Mac.
Coming later this year, iPhone 15 Pro will add a new dimension to video capture with the ability to record spatial video for Apple Vision Pro.
Next-Level Wireless Performance and Connectivity
Both models use the USB‑C connector, a universally accepted standard for charging and transferring data, allowing the same cable to charge iPhone, Mac, iPad, and the updated AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Users can also charge AirPods or Apple Watch directly from iPhone with the USB‑C connector. iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max support USB 3 for data transfer speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, up to 20x faster than before.
Using a USB 3 cable with iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max enables incredibly fast transfer speeds.
Both models feature the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling two iPhone devices with this chip to connect at three times the range as before.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max now support Wi-Fi 6E for greater wireless performance, including up to 2x faster speeds, and introduces the first Thread-enabled smartphones, opening up future opportunities for Home app integrations.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max come equipped with super-fast 5G, and include:
Support for MagSafe and future Qi2 wireless charging.
Improved audio quality on phone calls, including those made on FaceTime or third-party apps. Sound quality gets even better when users select Voice Isolation, so conversations come through loud and clear, even if they are somewhere noisy.
eSIM with support from more than 295 carriers. When traveling the world, users can stay connected through affordable international roaming plans from their existing carrier, or purchase prepaid eSIM plans in over 50 countries and regions, including Australia, Italy, Thailand, and more.
Expanded Safety Capabilities for Peace of Mind
The iPhone 15 lineup offers critical safety capabilities to provide assistance when it matters most, including Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite.
Building on this innovative satellite infrastructure, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max introduce Roadside Assistance via satellite. Beginning in the U.S., when a user has car trouble and cellular and Wi-Fi coverage are not available, they can now connect to AAA.
Featuring iOS 17
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature iOS 17,making iPhone even more personal and intuitive with new features:
The Phone app gets major updates, with Contact Posters that allow users to customize how they appear to their contacts, and Live Voicemail, which leverages the power of A17 Pro to see real-time on-device transcription as someone leaves a voicemail. Users can even pick up the call while the caller is leaving their message.
Messages gets a new stickers experience, more powerful search, transcription of audio messages, and Check In, which allows users to automatically notify friends and family when they have made it to their destination safely.
NameDrop gives users a new way to use AirDrop to more easily share contact information by simply bringing two iPhone devices together. The same gesture can be used to AirDrop content and more, and now users can step away from each other and finish sending large files over the internet.
StandBy gives users a customizable full-screen experience with glanceable information designed to be viewed from a distance when iPhone is on its side and charging. With the Always-On display of iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, StandBy stays on to show useful information — perfect on a desk, nightstand, or kitchen counter.
Interactive widgets on the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and in StandBy allow users to take action with just a tap, making it easy to complete a to-do, or play or pause a song right from the widget.
Safari adds greater protection for Private Browsing and introduces profiles, helping users separate their browsing for topics like work and personal.
iOS 17 delivers many more updates, including Journal, a new app that helps iPhone users reflect and practice gratitude through journaling, improvements to autocorrect and Dictation that make entering text faster and easier than ever before, password and passkey sharing with iCloud Keychain, and much more.
Better for the Environment
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max now use more recycled content, with a 100 percent recycled aluminum substructure and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery — both firsts for Apple. iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max also include 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets and 100 percent recycled gold in the USB‑C connector as well as the gold plating and tin soldering in multiple printed circuit boards.
New FineWoven accessories for iPhone are made from a luxurious and durable microtwill. This FineWoven material is made of 68 percent post-consumer recycled content and has significantly lower emissions compared to leather.
To further reduce impact on the planet, Apple will no longer use leather in any new Apple products, including iPhone accessories. Apple is introducing a new FineWoven Case with MagSafe and FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe, made from a durable and elegant microtwill with a soft, suedelike feel. The material is made from 68 percent post-consumer recycled content and has significantly lower carbon emissions compared to leather.
Pricing and Availability
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium finishes. iPhone 15 Pro remains at the same starting price of $999 (U.S.) or $41.62 (U.S.) per month, available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities. iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199 (U.S.) or $49.95 (U.S.) per month, available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities.
Customers in more than 40 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, the UAE, the U.K., and the U.S., will be able to pre-order iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max beginning at 5 a.m. PDT this Friday, September 15, with availability beginning Friday, September 22.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in Macao, Malaysia, Türkiye, Vietnam, and 17 other countries and regions beginning Friday, September 29.
iOS 17 will be available as a free software update on Monday, September 18.
In a bygone era, sports were a realm where talent, determination, and passion reigned supreme. Athletes strove for excellence, driven solely by their love for the game and a desire to etch their names in history. The landscape has since evolved, with a new era dawning – one where corporate sponsorship and brand support have seamlessly interwoven with the fabric of sports, forever altering the trajectory of this age-old pursuit.
In Africa, for instance, a continent renowned for its athletic prowess and indomitable spirit, the impact of corporate sponsorship in sports has been palpable. It’s a realm where dreams no longer dance solely within the hearts of athletes, but also within the strategies of forward-thinking brands. The ripple effect of this partnership extends far beyond the confines of the stadium, stretching into the realms of inspiration, opportunity, and societal growth.
Enter Qatar Airways, seven times ‘Airline of the Year’ winner, and a brand that has masterfully harnessed the transformative power of sports sponsorship. In a world where brand visibility can feel like a ceaseless barrage of logos, Qatar Airways has elevated the concept to a realm of purpose and impact. Their sponsorship endeavours have been akin to brushstrokes on the canvas of sports, creating intricate tapestries of change.
From the heart-pounding excitement of rugby to the high-octane drama of Formula 1 and the elegance of horse racing, Qatar Airways’ signature is imprinted on events that transcend borders.
The true essence of their support isn’t just about plastering logos—it’s about inspiring youth in Africa and beyond to chase their athletic dreams with newfound vigour and to believe that their aspirations are within reach.
At the heart of Qatar flag carrier’s approach is a recognition that sports transcend borders and cultures. The sponsorship of the Qatar Airways Cup that saw the recent clash between two rugby giants, i.e. the Springboks and All Blacks,demonstrates how brands can facilitate cross-cultural exchange and strengthen ties between nations.
By creating platforms for athletes from different corners of the world to compete, this Gulf carrier plays an integral role in bridging divides and celebrating the universal values of teamwork, dedication, and fair play.
Furthermore, Qatar Airways’ support for Formula 1 showcases how brands can contribute to the growth of niche sports. The airline’s role as the official global airline partner of Formula 1 underscores its commitment to precision and performance and highlights how brands can play a pivotal role in expanding the reach and popularity of less mainstream sports. This investment doesn’t just resonate with Formula 1 fans but also inspires others to explore new horizons within the sports landscape.
Beyond the exhilarating world of fast cars and scrums, Qatar Airways’ partnership with horse racing illustrates the power of brands to preserve traditions and support communities. By participating in the preparation and organization of races at Goodwood, the brand contributes to the preservation of equestrian culture and the livelihood of those involved. This demonstrates how sports sponsorship can lead to meaningful social impact by investing in the growth and sustainability of local sports and communities.
As we reflect on the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar, the culmination of Qatar Airways’ commitment to sports stands as a testament to the seamless fusion of passion and purpose. Beyond the football spectacle lies a narrative of perseverance, of branding’s evolution from mere visibility to impactful action.
In an age where corporate social responsibility is of paramount importance, Qatar Airways’ approach is a masterclass in aligning brand identity with social good. The brand has shown that supporting sports isn’t just about putting a logo on a jersey; it’s about championing excellence, fostering diversity, nurturing talent, and creating platforms for dialogue and understanding.
Qatar Airways’ commitment to sports sponsorship is a shining example of how brands can elevate the sports industry to new heights. It is a reminder that beyond the exhilarating moments on the field, sports have the potential to transcend cultural boundaries, inspire generations, and foster unity on a global scale. As the world of sports continues to evolve, brands like Qatar Airways pave the way for a future where excellence is celebrated, and the human spirit soars higher than ever before.
Qatar Airways is the Official Global Airline Partner of Formula 1®, the pinnacle of motorsport. The airline is the title sponsors of the highly anticipated FORMULA 1® QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2023 which will be held from 6-8 October at Lusail International Circuit.
To rev up the excitement and reflect its commitment to motorsport enthusiasts worldwide, Qatar Airways’ leisure arm, Qatar Airways Holidays, is offering enthusiasts a unique experience at F1® races throughout the season, as well as the FORMULA 1® QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2023 through its exclusive Ultimate F1® Fan Package.
The travel packages are designed to provide a seamless motorsport experience, with the inclusion of return flights, hotel accommodation, a wide range of passes including F1® Paddock Club and Grandstand race tickets, and much more.
Hendrik du Preez is the VP sales – Africa at Qatar Airways
Views expressed in this article do not reflect the position of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
The ICT Authority is calling for applications for the Presidential Digital Talent Programme (Digitalent) Cohort VIII for the year 2023/24.
The 12-month internship program seeks to equip and prepare fresh ICT and engineering graduates with hands-on ICT Skills to improve their employability and entrepreneurship opportunities.
There are 400 internship slots open which include 150 slots in Network and Infrastructure;100 slots in Software development & Artificial Intelligence;50 slots in information security;50 slots in Multimedia targeting Graphic Design and Digital Marketing and 50 slots in Data Analysis.
Kenyans have until 3rd October 2023 to make the applications on digitalent.go.ke.
So far, the program has trained over 2,000 interns who have been absorbed in different sectors of the economy.
Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of the ICT Authority, has encouraged as many Kenyans to apply in time, adding that: “Through the Presidential Digital Talent Internship Program (PDTP), the Government of Kenya continues to produce high skilled ICT labour for the industry.”
Kenyan women, Persons living with Disabilities and persons from the ASAL region are encouraged to apply.
The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has announced plans to start charging Kenyans Blank Tape Levy.
According to a statement Monday, the Blank Tape Levy is a nominal fee imposed on the sale of blank media and devices such as CDs, DVDs, USB drives, and smartphones, which can be used to make personal copies of copyright content.
The tax will be effected on September 15, 2023.
‘Kenya Copyright Board wishes to inform the public of the commencement of the implementation of the Blank Tape Levy with effect from September 15, 2023 pursuant to sections 28(3)(6) and 30(6) of the Copyright Act and the second schedule part B of the Copyright Regulations 2020,” KECOBO stated.
KECOBO said the reason the levy was imposed is to compensate copyright holders for potential revenue lost when individuals make private copies of their copyrighted works, such as music, movies or software.
They added that private copying allows individuals to make personal backups or copies of copyrighted material for their own use, such as making a backup of a music CD or copying a movie to a personal device.
The levy is paid by the manufacturers or importers of the blank media or devices.
The automation of the process of collecting the Blank Tape Levy (BTL) has been finalized on the Kenya Trade Network Agency Trade Facilitation Platform TFP). All imports for items subject to the Blank Tape Levy, will attract the BTL fee with effect from September 16, 2023.
Meanwhile, KECOBO added that the automation of the process of collecting the levy has been finalized on the Kenya Trade Network Agency Trade Facilitation Platform TFP), all imports for items subject to the Blank Tape Levy, will attract the BTL fee with effect from September 16, 2023.
Stakeholders in the health sector have raised concerns with the Nairobi Declaration document coming out of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit over its failure to address the health impacts of the climate crisis. The Summit has been holding in Nairobi, Kenya from 4-8 September.
Speaking at a side event organised by the USAID-funded Building Capacity for Integrated Family planning (FP) and Reproductive Health (RH) and Population, Environment and Development (PED) Action (BUILD), Charles Kabiswa, the Chief Executive Officer Regenerate Africa said he was shocked to see health being mentioned as a preamble in the final Nairobi declaration.
“Health has been excluded from the climate action and discourses despite the intersectionality in terms of the impacts on the vulnerable people,”said Kabiswa.
Kabiswa noted that the Nairobi Declaration recognised the impacts of climate change on health only in the preamble but disappoints the African people when it failed to provide pathways to climate action.
“There is no mention in the responses. This is a perpetuation of how things have been within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change processes. Despite having struggled in several Conference of Parties (COPs) in our bid to see health integrated into climate change discussions and we are not ready to tire,” added Kabiswa.
The Declaration is assumed to have been developed by African leaders who represent poor, vulnerable communities.
“Which of these presidents do not know that women in their countries are more affected by floods, drought, early marriages and pregnancies, diseases, nutritional effects elements of gender-based violence and effects of mental health?” He asked.
“Our research and continuous assessment has indicated the disproportionate effect of climate change affecting more women, girls and children than any other sector,”added Kabiswa.
According to Kabiswa the impact on the vulnerable people, the gender sensitivity and health effects influenced their programming to make sure they included a gender sensitivity.
Ellyanne Wanjiku, 13 and a Young Climate Advocate – Kenya said children are interested in the nexus between climate change and health because they are first casualty in disease outbreaks such as Malaria and Cholera. They have low immunity.
“Unlike my mother, I don’t have the luxury of going to swim in clean rivers nor drink that pure clean river water. Why deny me what you enjoyed in your generation? We can do better,” challenged Wanjiku.
Agreeing to this, Khumbize Kandondo Chiponda, the Malawi Health minister had said in an earlier submissions that the health sector is the first point of call when floods leave cholera afflicting the population, or when drought hits them with malnutrition.
“What we are calling for is the integrated programmes and services so that vulnerable communities could be served better in the context of climate change,” she said.
Chiponda said what climate-vulnerable communities need are robust primary care services for promotive services and knowledge sharing.“This can be still be achieved when governments adopt integrated programmes and services—so that vulnerable communities can receive comprehensive services, particularly in climate related disasters,” she added.
Kabiswa noted that when people think about climate change, they only talk about climate Adaptation and programmers, including the government’s tree planting leading to exclusion of the healthy responses within the conversation on climate.
Experiences from Cyclone Freddy and Idai in southern Africa as well as drought in the east and horn of Africa exposed the vulnerability in our health systems and infrastructure in Africa. “Continued siloed planning and financing will continue to disadvantage Africa and by extension Africans,” added Mutunga.
According to Bience Gawanas, Vice Chair of the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria had in some earlier sessions said the world should not accommodate health in the climate change as a matter of charity. “It is a right that health must find its space in the climate change discourse,” she said asking where is the health social justice in climate change discourse?
Dr Durand Oboue, the National Coordinator, Panafrican Justice Climate Alliance (PACJA) Cote d’Ivoire said there is need to increase policy engagements to ensure that planners don’t go about their business in silos.
“As a grassroot network organisation, we will continue to engage with national, regional and international communities till we see issues of health and climate change are integrated. We have this good news that for the first time, health will have a special side event at COP28. This is just the beginning,”said Oboue.
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC-Masdar has announced a partnership with Africa50, the pan-African infrastructure investment platform to identify, fast-track and scale clean energy projects across the continent.
The UAE’s clean energy champion has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Africa50 which will work to bridge the infrastructure funding gap and mobilize public and private finance.
Masdar brings its technical expertise and extensive experience in emerging markets, while Africa50 brings its experience developing projects in Africa, which combined can help unlock Africa’s tremendous clean energy potential.
Signed by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar and Alain Ebobissé, Chief Executive Officer of Africa50 on the sidelines of Africa Climate Summit, the first of four global climate summits ahead of COP28, the agreement will see both parties work collaboratively to catalyze sustainable development of the clean energy sector in Africa.
Masdar, one of the world’s largest clean energy companies and the largest in Africa, committed US$2 billion of equity as part of the UAE finance initiative, which was announced during Africa Climate Summit by HE Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman of Masdar and COP28 President-Designate. The initiative brings together public, private, and development capital from UAE institutions, notably from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), Masdar, and AMEA Power. Africa50 is expected to also join this initiative as a strategic partner.
HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry & Advanced Technology, Chairman of Masdar and COP28 President-Designate, said: “We welcome this important partnership with Africa50 which brings a key stakeholder to the table for an inclusive, equitable and just energy transition. We look forward to working with Africa for Africa. The world must continue to close the gap on climate finance for clean energy investment in the global south which is disproportionately affected by climate change. We need the public and private sectors to work together to deliver clean energy access across Africa – a key mission and objective of Africa50. This can be accelerated in countries with robust regulatory frameworks, clear transition strategies and a real commitment to developing grid structure.”
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar said:“As the largest renewable energy company in Africa, through our joint venture with Infinity Power, it is fitting that Masdar, with Africa50, should take this bold step forward which will unlock much needed climate finance for the energy transition. It is a key strategic market for Masdar and we are proud of our long-term partnerships and projects in Africa. Our portfolio today includes Senegal’s first utility-scale wind farm, under Masdar’s Infinity Power Holding platform (IPH), Mauritania’s first and largest solar photovoltaic project, and the development of Africa’s largest wind farm in Egypt with IPH and other partners. With Africa50, Masdar looks forward to unlocking the enormous clean energy potential across the continent,”
Masdar has committed a total of US$10 billion in clean energy finance, of which US$2 billion will be generated from equity, with an additional US$8 billion mobilized from project finance.This landmark investment will target the delivery of 10GW of clean energy capacity in Africa by 2030.
Alain Ebobissé, Chief Executive Officer of Africa50,commented: “Partnerships are key to our goal of scaling up and accelerating the delivery of bankable and sustainable infrastructure across Africa. We are pleased to join forces with Masdar through thissigning. We believe that this step will become one of many, on a journey to drive transformative projects that support Africa’s path to net-zero and help builder cleaner economies for future generations.”Africa50 and Masdar will also explore opportunities to collaborate on the implementation of the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA) which was launched at COP27 by the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank and Africa50.
The UAE investment initiative sits under the umbrella of Etihad 7, a development platform launched by the UAE at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in 2022 and spear-headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). Announced in 2022, Etihad 7 aims to provide 100 million people across the African continent with clean electricity by 2035.
Established in 2006, Masdar is the UAE’s clean energy powerhouse. It is active in over 40 countries and has invested in a portfolio of renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of around 20 gigawatts (GW). Masdar aims to grow this to at least 100 GW by 2030.
The company is also targeting green hydrogen production of 1 million tonnes per annum by the same year.
The United States and European Union can do better to support Africa’s green trade potential
As Africa embarks on its industrialisation drive, supported by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the realities of climate change are becoming more visible and acutely felt across the world. The continent faces an industrialisation journey unlike any other – it must lift millions out of poverty whilst adapting to climate change. The pathways to industrialisation will also be influenced by the transmitted effects of policies enacted elsewhere to mitigate climate change.
The promotion of intra-African value chains is at the heart of Africa’s industrialisation strategy, aiming to develop deep local and regional links to secure greater value addition. The AfCFTA framework and its protocols seek to transform productive structures. Whilst the major players rethink their value chain structures in terms of economic security, for African producers these are being recrafted to reduce economic and environmental vulnerability.
As highlighted by the African Climate Summit (ACS) in Nairobi, there are major new economic opportunities for Africa in view of the green transition: it supplies many of the critical raw materials inputs into required technologies. On the other hand, there is a need for greater understanding of the transmitted effects coming from mitigation policies in end markets, which, when combined, may induce a‘green squeeze’ unless African producers and exporters have greater capacity to adapt to changing norms and standards.
For example, the European Union (EU), Africa’s largest trade partner, has implemented several measures as part of its Green Deal. These include a carbon border adjustment measure (CBAM), new rules for mandatory supply-chain due diligence, and a ban on imports of certain deforestation-linked products. Complying with these to access EU markets will require African producers to invest in compliance processes, traceability systems and greener production methods. Understanding what support producers require to adapt is needed to reduce risks of exclusion from existing value chains.
With regard to entering new value chains, demand for critical raw material inputs into new technologies is rapidly increasing.However, the extent to which the continent can benefit economically from this situation depends on how much of the value addition in creating the final green technology products physically takes place on the continent.
Notably, one provision of the US Inflation Reduction Act is a tax credit available to consumers who purchase an electric vehicle whose batteries contain a certain percentage of critical minerals extracted in the US or countries with Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the US. Concerns have been raised that Africa’s potential to benefit from the US energy transition may be limited since currently only Morocco has an FTA with the US.
The policy is also seemingly at odds with recent initiatives such as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia –major suppliers of copper and cobalt, the two key input commodities for lithium-ion batteries. The MoU aims to develop “an integrated value chain for the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries in the DRC and Zambia, ranging from raw material extraction, to processing, manufacturing, and assembly”.
As a tool for supporting industrial development in the sector, the DRC and Zambia are working towards establishing cross-border Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to produce battery precursors, batteries, and electric vehicles. The broader continent’s drive to harness opportunities from the global transition towards green energy is also reflected in its ambitions to develop a regional battery and electric vehicle value chain.
The AfCFTA Secretariat has identified the lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle value chain as one of the high-potential value chains to be targeted for promotion in their work programme.
The effective implementation of the AfCFTA, which seeks to reduce intra-African trade costs and tackle barriers to investment and competitiveness, offers an opportunity to promote a regional approach to value-addition in the booming green technology sector. To underpin Africa’s industrialisation, the AfCFTA must be responsive to the challenges posed by climate change and the interventions that Africa’s trading partners are introducing to combat it.
Efforts to harmonise the continent’s trade and climate objectives could be pursued by adding a Protocol on Trade and Climate in future rounds of AfCFTA negotiations. A more immediate approach is to focus on the current AfCFTA’s domestication process and ensure greater integration of the trade-related aspects of national adaptation and mitigation plans with the implementation of the AfCFTA protocols.
The African Climate Summit is unique in that, building on the Paris Summit, it is calling for a more integrated approach to addressing the climate emergency. It is also continuing the advocacy for changes in how development partners work. There are several continental action plans, initiatives, and conventions geared towards climate change action and environmental protection.
However, within these documents, links between trade and the environment are often not well-established. Similarly, interventions amongst development partners are not always well coordinated and need to be more in sync with trade policy developments.
Gita Briel is a Trade Policy Analyst at tralac (Trade Law Centre). Her research interests include the trade-environment nexus, applied development economics, and global environmental governance.
Jodie Keane is a Senior Research Fellow with the International Economic Development Group at the ODI, the global affairs think tank. She is an experienced trade economist and project manager who has worked with multiple governments across the developing world to secure their trade policy outcomes.
This op-ed is part of a thought-provoking series of ideas and pieces, developed by ODI and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It showcases expert authors from the Global South and aims to illustrate the synergy between development and climate goals.
Hundreds of youth drawn from under-served communities in Kenya are set to benefit from the LIFE Legacy Program, an initiative spearheaded by Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African non-governmental organisation.
This follows the launch of the program in Tana River and Nairobi counties.
In Tana River, the program is being run by Amani Centre Community-Based Organisation (CBO), while in Nairobi, it is being implemented by Gonline Africa. Both organisations are PIN partners.
The LIFE Legacy Program entails partnerships with community-based organisations and initiatives to replicate it in as many communities as possible across the continent.
The approach provides a sustainable, low-cost model that allows cost-sharing with like-minded organisations working towards closing the digital gap that exists among young people. Focusing on digitally excluded individuals who lack skills, confidence and opportunities, the 10-week program prioritises those with limited or no access to equipment and connectivity.
LIFE is an acronym that stands for LIFE Skills, ICTs, Financial Readiness and Entrepreneurship. The program targets young individuals from less privileged backgrounds in under-served communities who do not have the financial capacity to acquire relevant education and skills that can enable them to compete economically in the digital age.
The Program started in 2007 in a small cybercafé named Stadnet, nestled in the heart of Ajegunle in Lagos, Nigeria, with the aim of equipping young people with relevant digital skills and connecting them to opportunities in the digital economy. To date, the organisation has impacted the lives of more than 6,700 young individuals between the ages of 14 and 24 years.
Speaking during the launch of the Initiative at the Amani Centre CBO in Tana River, the organisation’s Senior Manager,Grants and Programs Strategy, Adeboye Adegoke, said: “The vision we have is that young people, no matter where they are born, should not be disadvantaged in the digital economy.”
On his part, John Kipsiwa, the Deputy County Commissioner, said the government was keen on supporting the youth and spurring the digital economy by establishing digital hubs.
John Green, the Co-Founder of Amani Centre CBO, said the program was timely as Tana River is one of the counties that has lagged behind in digital proficiency, and there exists a huge gap that requires to be closed.
Madam Wachu Telita, Assistant Director of Education, Tana Delta, noted that digital literacy is important as it increases awareness of privacy online, cybercrimes and fake news.
“The beneficiaries of this program will be able to also contribute to the economic growth of the society,” she added.
During the launch of the program in Nairobi, Miriam Beatrice, the organisation’s Program Officer, in East Africa, urged the youth to make the best out of the opportunity, adding that it was a building block to their career trajectory.
Alphonce Odhiambo, Gonline Africa Founder, said time was ripe for the initiative, more so in informal settlements as there are numerous young individuals who require skills provided under the LIFE Legacy Program.
