Agneds

What to Expect from the Western Africa Regional Upcoming Meeting on Climate Change, on May 22nd-24th

by with No Comment News

Following the ongoing climate crisis, AGNES Africa is organizing a major stakeholder meeting to look into the agenda broadly, including finding solutions. The western African region has recently hit the headlines due to climate-related matters, with some like rising sea levels displacing hundreds along the coastlines. 

The May meeting will involve the parliament of Nigeria and major climate entities like the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and the National Climate Change Council (NCCC). 

Nigeria especially has been worst by different setbacks. Its populated cities have the highest rate of pollution, 44.8%, which contributes to the country’s 10th rank in the continent. Additionally, Lagos ranks 133rd amongst the most polluted cities in the world. 

It is upon such meetings to address such factors, highlighting the way forward for the people of Nigeria and Western Africa. Human pollution will be looked into, with factory emissions resulting in unhealthy air and water in the cities of Lagos and Abuja. 

AGNES Africa is also looking to raise awareness of climate change through the meeting. This is considering that a large population is already suffering from tough economic times, thus not considering the impact of climate change.  

Therefore, the parties and entities involved are looking to have a successful meeting, especially in mobilizing resources for respective projects. The government should also actively participate, especially in funding and getting investors, to show their commitment against the climate crisis.

Africa-Solar-renewable-energy

Morocco Could Become and Renewable Energy Powerhouse for Europe

by with No Comment News

Morocco is on the verge of a major move to solve the energy crisis in the country. The long-term plan is to export it to Europe, considering the natural resources available to generate solar and wind power. With Western nations started actively addressing climate change issues via renewable sources, Morocco is highly interested in becoming a major participant. 

Firstly, the Northern African country imports 90% of its energy, becoming costly due to the war in Ukraine. The 39 million population is at risk of power shortages, similar to the power rationing experienced on the opposite side of South Africa. 

One of the ambassadors pushing the agenda is the founder of Gaia Energy, Moundir Zniber, who states, “I think Morocco represents the best opportunity to get the European continent away from the dependency it has today on Russian gas.” The country’s economy, especially the agricultural sector, which he says can be solved by investing more in natural energy sources. 

Also, the country urgently needs a switch from coal, oil, and gas use for the project to succeed. The country’s clean energy sources are only a small percentage, with wind power covering 12.4% and solar energy around 4.4%.  

Zniber points to the irony of the country not utilizing its solar and its potential. “Morocco has one of the best solar and wind resources in the world combined,” he says. 

Europe is a great market for the country if the Moroccan government fully embraces the Gaia Energy initiative. It is a gradual process, considering other national challenges like the food and water crisis, which can produce 52% of the country’s power by 2030. Other sectors are bound to gain, with the country’s youth gaining employment, directly or indirectly, through their start-ups.

Africa-energy-Forum

Africa Energy Forum: Nairobi, Kenya – 20-23 June 2023

by with One Comment Insights

Kenya will host the 25th edition of the Africa Energy Forum journey to Nairobi, Kenya, from 20-23 June 2023.

The forum aims to unite governments, utilities and regulators with development finance institutions, commercial banks, power developers, technology providers, EPCs and professional services.

Over the last 24 years, the Forum has earnt a reputation as the most meaningful gathering of decision-makers in African energy to form partnerships, identify opportunities and move the industry forward.

Register to participate here

Eskom

South Africa’s Energy Crisis Set to Continue Amid Eskom Corruption Probe

by with No Comment News

South Africa has faced numerous setbacks in the post-covid era, and the prolonged blackout is a prime example. The sector has been by another blow, with reports exposing a $55 million daily loss through corruption. 

The shocking news is according to the company’s Chief Executive Andre de Ruyter during his interview with a parliamentary committee, where he refused to mention the culprit behind the scheme. This is barely three months after President Ramaphosa declared the electricity issue a state of emergency. Before his February statement, South Africans were under strict 12 hrs-a-day electricity rationing. 

Eskom’s poor management has been evident since the era of former Jacob Zuma, lacking the needed governance to set up contingencies and strategies, despite the loans pilling up for its development. Ramaphosa’s administration is also overwhelmed, one of the issues being the debt burden of over $20 billion. 

Small businesses, already in crumble, and the over 60 million people should brace for more electricity shortages. Firstly, the company lacks sufficient reserves to supply the country’s power needs. Eskom also depends on coal for 80% of its electricity, which is overused and unable to sustain the basic amenities. 

Eskom has been strained, an issue set to have been sorted by Medupi and Kusile coal plants. The two have failed, only delivering half of the projected output 15 years after their launch. Other energy options like hydropower and renewable sources are merely used, with the latter only accounting for 13.4% of the collective supply. 

According to the IMF, South Africa’s GDP is also at stake, projected to plunge by 1.2%, with more businesses shutting down. Therefore the unemployment rate, already at a staggering 33%, will also increase. 

South Africa needs to switch from coal which is also an environmental hazard in its extraction and processing. Most importantly, Ramaphosa’s government must tighten the embezzlement loopholes and actively invest in hydro-generated power and renewable sources, such as solar and wind energy.

Climate-justice-now

Africa’s Journey to COP28

by with No Comment News

The time is now for the African continent to actively participate in the climate change conversation. Respective nations and institutions are creating necessary projects and strategies to achieve a 100% green environment. With focus turned towards the upcoming COP28 climate conference, set for 30 November to 12 December, 2023 in UAE, African nations are determined to make their voices heard.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari in his recent speech on African Climate stated, “We cannot continue ignoring that climate change is a pressing issue in our continent. We should act by protecting our environment and secure the future for generations to come.”

To the delight of Africans, the continent’s climate entities are working to implement various projects to promote sustainable growth and reduce carbon emissions. One of the initiatives is the African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), aiming to provide 300 GW by 2030.

Another example is the recent Great Green Wall across the Sahara, aimed at controlling desertification and promoting sustainable land use. This project involves planting an 8000km wall of trees and vegetation across the continent, stretching from Senegal in the west to Djibouti in the east.

This isn’t to forget the reafforestation efforts in different nations, like Kenya, initiated by the President William Ruto aiming to enhance the national tree cover by 30% through planting 15 billion tress. Nigeria, with the highest deforestation rate globally at 3.7%, and similar nations should follow, and recent developments are a plus. The change is also influenced by the recent integration of carbon markets around Africa; a move also projected to be a game changer.

Still, Africa faces several challenges including devastating drought and floods, which institutions such as the African Development Bank(AfDB) will showcase at COP28. One of the issues is insufficient climate finance, where International communities, volunteers and marketers are welcome to invest in the African Climate agenda. External participation is essential, with countries like Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar picking up the pieces from the worst-ever Cyclone, Freddy.