Africa: Sierra Leone Should Adopt Fiscal Consolidation Measures to Ensure a Sustainable Economic Environment

[ad_1] Freetown — Sierra Leone's economy grew by 5.7% in 2023, exceeding expectations, driven by strong performance in the mining sector. However, growth is projected to slow to 4.3% in 2024 due to declining iron ore prices, according to the new World Bank Sierra Leone Economic Update launched today. The report notes a slightly optimistic medium-term outlook, with growth expected to recover to its long-term average of 4.6%, supported by a resurgence in the service sector, improved agricultural productivity, robust […]

October 10, 2024

Entertainment

Rwanda: Kwita Izina 2024 Postponed

[ad_1] Rwanda Development Board on Tuesday, October 8, announced the postponement of Kwita Izina 2024. A related public notice indicated that a new date would be communicated. Public Notice: Rwanda Development Board announces postponement of Kwita Izina 2024 pic.twitter.com/wbDeujK3iv-- Rwanda Development Board (@RDBrwanda) October 8, 2024 Twenty-two mountain gorillas born in the last 12 months were to be named during the 20th Kwita Izina ceremony, which was earlier scheduled to take place on October 18, marking the 20th anniversary of […]

October 10, 2024

Africa

Africa: How Do You Stop Elephant Herds From Trashing Crops and Trees? Target Sensitive Nostrils With a ‘Scent Fence’

[ad_1] Elephant numbers are surging in southern Africa, with fewer natural predators, reduced hunting pressure and feeding by farmers and tourist operators. While this is good for elephants, it's making life harder for humans who live near them. These huge herbivores can raid crops and destroy large trees in national parks with impunity, causing problems for farmers and land managers alike. Traditional solutions aren't ideal. Culling is controversial, and building fences strong enough to deter elephants is very expensive. But […]

October 10, 2024

Africa

Africa: Agroecology – the Game-Changing Solution to Global Food, Climate and Conflict Crises

[ad_1] Turin, Italy — Edward Mukiibi, President of Slow Food, champions agroecology as a transformative answer to the world's most pressing crises: food insecurity, climate change, and violent conflicts. In a world where these challenges intersect, Mukiibi called for an urgent rethink of our approach to food systems. Agroecology, a practice already embraced by millions of farmers worldwide, is emerging as a sustainable alternative to the industrialized agriculture model that dominates today. It emphasizes biodiversity, environmental stewardship, and equitable livelihoods--elements […]

October 9, 2024

Africa

Africa Water Crisis Threatens Lives, Food Security, Economic Stability – Report

[ad_1] Few weeks ago, Centre for Science and Environment (SCE), a not-for-profit public interest research and advocacy organisation based in New Delhi, India, released its Down To Earth annual State of Africa Environment 2024 report. The report, which was released in Nairobi, Kenya, three weeks ago, highlights the intersection between water on the one hand and migration, climate change, poverty and diseases on the other. The State of Africa Environment 2024 report emphasized that Africa faces escalating water crisis that […]

October 9, 2024

Africa

Africa’s Great Green Wall Will Only Combat Desertification and Poverty By Harnessing Local Solutions

[ad_1] In the rural village of Téssékéré, the increasing number and intensity of droughts linked to climate change is making the lives and livelihoods of the local Fulani communities increasingly vulnerable. Here, in the northern Sahel desert region of Senegal (known as the Ferlo), the pastoral population walks over dry, dusty ground with their livestock in search of grazing areas and working borehole water pumps. In favourable years, these farmers can stay in the fields around their local borehole, but […]

October 9, 2024

Africa

Africa: Equator Africa Gets $5m From IFC for African Climate Tech Startups

[ad_1] TLDR Equator Africa, a VC firm supporting early-stage climate tech startups in sub-Saharan Africa, receives $5 million from IFC for innovation in the African climate sector. Initial close of $40 million in April aims to address funding gap for seed and Series A-stage startups in the region. Korea Green Resilient and Innovative Development Programme adds $1.5 million guarantee, scaling Equator Africa's fund to $54 million. Equator Africa, a venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage climate tech startups in […]

October 8, 2024

Africa

Africa: Loaded for Bear – Africa Oil Week Begins in Shadow of Green Energy Scramble

[ad_1] Africa Oil Week begins in Cape Town on 8 October. But the real scramble in Africa these days is for the green metals required for the energy transition. A decade or so ago, Africa Oil Week took place against the backdrop of a scramble for oil and gas in Africa. Recent discoveries at that time included Ghana's offshore Jubilee oil field in 2007 and Uganda's Albertine Graben oil deposit. Africa was seen as the growth area for oil and […]

October 8, 2024

Africa

Africa: Hundreds of Local Malawians Quietly Leave World Bank Climate Project

[ad_1] Experts warn that payment problems and a lack of local ownership could undermine the effectiveness of a nationwide adaptation project. Local participants working on a World Bank funded climate change adaptation project in Malawi say they have not been paid for up to a year, leading many to drop out. This has contributed to experts' fears that adaptation programmes that are mismanaged and lack community ownership will lead to poor outcomes, leaving people vulnerable to climate impacts. The $128 […]

October 8, 2024

Environment