Posts in category: News

East African nations highly depend on renewable energy sources, covering 80%, and are now projected to hit 100% by 2030. This results from respective countries like Tanzania through the new Kako Hydropower project, increasing the output of renewable mediums. Despite opening the market for their citizens, the actions are ideal in fighting global warming. 

Andrew Lamosi, Man. Dir Chevron Ltd states that only 14% of thermal energy is utilized in Kenya despite covering about 19% of Kenyan energy. During the April interview with Standard Group (KTN), he attested to the difficulty of avoiding thermal channels mainly used at night. The loophole does arise with challenges of using solar and wind sources, also not fully tapped in Kenyan homes. Nonetheless, thermal energy is not utilized on a large scale to block the journey to 100% clean energy. 

Meanwhile, Tanzania is constructing a new 87.8-megawatt Kakono Hydropower source, collaborating with the French Development Agency (AFD) and African Development Bank (AfDB). The parties signed a two-way development plan on 15th March, worth $300 million, and also received €36 million from the EU. Like Kenya, the country mainly depends on Hydropower, the project being an excellent way to eliminate the gas-fired and thermal plants.

Other nations like Uganda are also on the map in this journey, supplying a significant percentage of Hydropower to DR Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya. 

100% clean energy is achievable if the countries restructure their laws. The biggest issue lies with climate change, where African nations lack the necessary funds to deal effectively with ongoing phenomena. According to the IMF’s April 2023 Financial Report, concessional financing should be expanded to boost the region’s resilience to global warming and to accelerate the transition to green energy.

Respective government entities are encouraged to loosen restrictions on investors and renewable energy inventors. Andrew Lamosi states that different regulations hinder these projects, suggesting relevant and logical licensing for the parties. Climatic changes should also be dealt with, as some, like drought, can impede the progress of Hydropower stations.

According to a finance risk update report released this April, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is again making headlines. Matters get sensitive regarding the pipeline’s potential environmental, social, and economic effects.

Environmental impact is one of the main risk factors connected with the EACOP pipeline. The 1,443 km line will cross several protected areas, including the Murchison Falls National Park, home to several endangered species. Different Environmental groups have raised such concerns, mentioning the risk of oil spills, which could have devastating effects on the ecosystem. The project might also worsen climate change by boosting fossil fuel production and consumption. 

The pipeline is also expected to displace thousands of people from their homes and disrupt their traditional livelihoods, such as fishing and agriculture. Human rights violations, including land grabs and forced evictions, are also in question. Moreover, the project could also lead to an influx of workers, which could strain local infrastructure and services.

While we expect the project to generate revenue for Uganda and Tanzania, there are concerns about the long-term sustainability of the oil industry. True to it, the world, including Africa as a front runner, is moving towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The EACOP project could become a stranded asset, leaving Uganda and Tanzania governments with a massive debt burden.

In addition, there are alarms about the need for more transparency and accountability in the negotiations between the governments and the project’s developers. This could lead to the classic case of corruption and mismanagement.

The EACOP project is progressing despite these risks. Construction on the project is anticipated to start soon after the governments of Tanzania and Uganda signed agreements with Total’s developers. However, stakeholders must be vigilant and ensure that the project follows due process to limit its adverse effects and maximize its potential advantages.

The African Group of Negotiators on climate change (AGN) held its first preparatory meeting on April 12, 2023, to discuss key issues ahead of COP28. This comes after a call to action after a series of climatic catastrophes, including the ongoing floods in the East African region, drought, and cyclones in Malawi and Mozambique. The issue of climate finance was touched upon, considering Africa’s lack of resources to fight global warming..

The need to adapt to current climatic conditions was highly emphasized, considering the cost of surviving the changes. Zambia Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary, Johnson Msimuko, referenced the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, “Africa will need up to $86.5 billion for adaptation alone by 2030. Yet Africa only contributes approximately 4% to the global greenhouse gas emissions.” Still, on finances, developed nations owning a financial pledge of over $100 billion are urged to fulfill their promise to help the continent deal with climate change. 

Sec. Johnson also pointed out the need for Africa to adapt to a low-carbon economy. Also considered was the importance of ensuring that vulnerable communities and any existing inequalities are not left behind, or unsolved during the switch. The AGN demanded actions such as re-skilling and capacity building initiatives to assist workers and communities impacted by the switch to renewable energy.

To top it all, the negotiators had a chance to strategize on the plan and their expectations for the upcoming sessions of COP28 later in December. They also got to revisit accomplishments from issues raised in the COP27 edition. Nonetheless, the recent meeting focused on the importance of the Global Stocktake taking an equitable strategy. It was suggested that the latter seize the inherent bias for mitigation at the cost of adaptation.

The meeting held in Zambia was, therefore, a success, able to address key issues regarding adaptation to climate in the continent. Necessary parties like the UN got addressed, especially concerning climate finance. As we await the upcoming COP28, it is upon respective nations to continue adapting to renewable-energy sources.

Kenya got the green light to host the 2023 African Climate Action Summit from 4-6 September, an event coming at the right time. The East African nation was picked, being one of the front runners in tackling climate change in the continent through initiatives like the First Lady adapting 494 acres of land to plant trees.

The Summit is a huge step in Africa’s effort to participate in the global climate change agenda actively. President William Ruto said, “There is consensus in this meeting that Africa is the continent of the future. It is time to escalate this consensus and propel Africa to join the leadership of global climate action.”

With the recent climatic adversities recorded, among the key topics will be Africa’s vulnerability to different conditions. Cyclone Freddy did expose our strategies to deal with such occurrences, the phenomena killing hundreds and displacing over 500,000 people. Drought is another climatic change impact, as observed in Kenya, affecting over 5.4 million people. 

Additionally, it is clear that most African countries have pledged to lower their emissions of greenhouse gasses but need more financial resources to execute the necessary procedures. The summit will provide a forum for African leaders to set up strategies for securing finances, including collaboration with international organizations and private sector investment, as in Carbon Markets.

In attempts to achieve Africa’s Climate goals, there will be more emphasis on creating awareness of global warming. This comes with the realization that many people are still unaware of the gravity of climatic change consequences, despite the recent calamities. We should expect the handling of the matter and climate action, including sharing best practices and developing regional climate policies.

Therefore, the African Climate Action Summit should strictly work on providing solutions to one of the most pressing issues in the continent. Collaborating and sharing ideas, strategies, and resources can chart a course towards a more sustainable and resilient future for the continent. We look forward to the outcomes of the Nairobi summit and preceding actions.

The Africa Energy Forum (AEF) will route to Nairobi, Kenya, from 20-23 June. The annual event will involve various policymakers and investors exploring the latest trends, innovations, and opportunities in the African energy sector. 2023’s theme is “Investment and Impact,” and over 2,000 people from 70 countries are expected to attend.

This year’s main focus will be on the role of energy in driving economic growth and sustainable development in Africa. We’ll be expecting on several topics such as power infrastructure, renewable energy, energy access and storage, and necessary financing. 

You can bet on the role of renewable energy to be extensively discussed. As a continent, we need more energy sources, with most of our primary sources affected by climatic changes. For instance, the host Kenya has the Lake Turkana Wind Power, which has a 17% power output, enough for 1 million Kenyans. 

Additionally, the forum is expected to touch on energy’s impact on economic growth and development. The discussion will lean on how easy access to reliable and affordable energy is crucial for economic growth. Therefore, the AEF will allow stakeholders and investors to discuss strategies for expanding access to energy across the continent. 

Still, investors need to come in significant numbers to get ample funding for respective energy projects. The event is an opportunity for involved parties to collaborate or share respective data, technologies and expertise that is also effective in remote areas. 

Finally, the AEF will go through the latest policies and market regulations in the energy sector across the continent. This is particularly important for investors and financiers who must understand the regulatory environment and the risks involved in investing in different regions.

There’s no better time to focus on African energy, with the effects of climate greatly affecting the steps taken. With the theme for this year’s forum being “Investment and Impact,” it is expected that the discussions and outcomes of the forum will be critical in shaping Africa as a global energy powerhouse. 

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), launched the African Carbon Market Initiative (ACMI) to boost carbon trading across the African continent, with the goal being 300 million new carbon credits yearly by 2030. ACMI aims to help African countries participate in the global markets by building institutional capacity, promoting private-sector investment, and creating necessary policies. 

According to the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) interim Exec Sec. Mr. Antonio Pedro, “Carbon markets are a great opportunity for African nations’ sustainable industrialization, economic transformation and diversification.” Therefore, involved nations have the necessary support from AU to access climate change finance and the mechanism for monetizing carbon credits.

If properly executed, the initiative provides an excellent opportunity for Africa to play a bigger role in global efforts to mitigate climate change. The ACMI is a great way to reduce greenhouse emissions and provide an investment avenue for governments in clean energy and low-carbon technologies. Additionally, the private sector has been mobilized to fill necessary gaps in the growing market. These markets are also projected to reduce poverty and improve vulnerable African livelihoods.

There may be a need to exploit the carbon resources available in Africa. For instance, the vast Congo Forests hold around 8% of the global forest-based carbon, absorbing 1.2 billion tons of CO2 annually. The problem arises in implementing the restrictions, challenges in building institutional capacity and creating an effective policy for such carbon markets.

Also, private sector involvement still needs to be fully addressed, considering some companies might take advantage, endangering Africa’s climate change control. Additionally, carbon markets are subject to price volatility, which may affect the revenue generated.

African Carbon Markets Initiative is an important project with the potential to promote economic development and effectively contribute to climate control. African countries can transition to a low-carbon economy by formulating the right policies, incentives, and institutions. Therefore, necessary steps should be taken, including rehabilitation of the carbon-rich areas for the full realization and implementation of Carbon trading.

Malawi was last to be hit by what is now the longest cyclone ever recorded worldwide, lasting over five weeks. The climatic phenomena left a devastating scar, killing over 500 people and affecting over 300,000 Malawians and others across the southern Indian Ocean. Millions, including children, are at risk of contracting cholera, typhoid, and malaria, while the nation deals with the additional burden of rebuilding.

Cyclone Freddy comes at a time when African nations struggle with more climatic crises including floods, diseases, and a devastating drought in the Horn of Africa. Malawi, already threatened by cholera before Cyclone Freddy, now has more to worry about in sectors like agriculture. For instance, farming in southern Malawi has been hit by another climate disaster, deepening already troubling poverty levels in rural areas. This is after suffering from previous Cyclones, Ana, and Gombe, which were on for two months.

It’s worth noting that this is not the first cyclone Malawi is experiencing; Ana and Gombe occurred in 2019 causing loss of lives and displacements. UNEP Executive Director, Ms. Inger Andersen warns of Africa’s vulnerability to such climate changes noting that “extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and cyclones are becoming more frequent and more intense, putting millions of people at risk.”

Malawians and African nations, in general, are at risk of these climate disasters unless drastic measures are taken to mitigate and create resilience. African governments should also invest more to land rehabilitation, as cyclone Freddy exposed. Planting more is a solid solution to the issue, helping in controlling flood situations and preceding factors like waterborne diseases. We might not control climate change, but we can prevent or reduce its damage to our continent.