Category: Business News & Insight

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Green Technologies: Coherent Policy Action Needed for Developing Countries to Reap the Benefits

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew
human arm covered with grass and lush and robotic hand

Green technologies – those used to produce goods and services with smaller carbon footprints – are growing and providing increasing economic opportunities but many developing countries could miss them unless national governments and the international community take decisive action.

UNCTAD’s Technology and Innovation Report 2023 published on 16 March warns that economic inequalities risk growing as developed countries reap most of the benefits of green technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and electric vehicles.

“We are at the beginning of a technological revolution based on green technologies,” UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan said. “This new wave of technological change will have a formidable impact on the global economy. Developing countries must capture more of the value being created in this technological revolution to grow their economies.”

Ms. Grynspan added: “Missing this technological wave because of insufficient policy attention or lack of targeted investment in building capacities would have long-lasting negative implications.”

 

Growing market size, widening tech gap

UNCTAD estimates that the 17 frontier technologies covered in the report could create a market of over $9.5 trillion by 2030 –about three times the current size of the Indian economy. But so far, developed economies are seizing most of the opportunities, leaving developing economies further behind.

The total exports of green technologies from developed countries jumped from around $60 billion in 2018 to over $156 billion in 2021. In the same period, exports from developing nations rose from $57 billion to only about $75 billion. In three years, developing countries’ share of global exports fell from over 48% to under 33%.

UNCTAD’s analysis shows that developing countries must act quickly to benefit from this opportunity and move to a development trajectory leading to more diversified, productive and competitive economies. Previous technological revolutions have shown that early adopters can move ahead quicker and create lasting advantages.

 

Developing countries least ready to use frontier technologies

The report includes a “frontier technology readiness index” that shows that very few developing countries have the capacities needed to take advantage of frontier technologies. These include blockchain, drones, gene editing, nanotechnology and solar power.

Green frontier technologies such as electric vehicles, solar and wind energy, and green hydrogen are expected to reach a market value of $2.1 trillion in 2030 – four times greater than their value today. Market revenues for electric vehicles could rise five times to reach $824 billion by 2030 from today’s value of $163 billion.

The index ranks 166 countries based on ICT, skills, research and development, industrial capacity and finance indicators. It’s dominated by high-income economies, notably the United States, Sweden, Singapore, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Although developing countries are the least prepared to use frontier technologies, several economies in Asia have made important policy changes that have enabled them to perform better than expected according to their GDP per capita.

India remains the greatest overperformer, ranking at 67 positions better than expected, followed by the Philippines (54 positions better) and Viet Nam (44 better).

The index shows that countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa are the least ready to harness frontier technologies and are at risk of missing current technological opportunities.

 

Strong government efforts are needed

To benefit from the green tech revolution, proactive industrial, innovation and energy policies targeting green technologies are needed in developing countries, said Shamika N. Sirimanne, director of UNCTAD’s technology and logistics division. “Developing countries need agency and urgency in coming up with the right policy responses.”

Ms. Sirimanne added: “As developing countries respond to today’s urgent interconnected crises, they also need to take strategic, long-term action to build innovation and technological capacities to spur sustainable economic growth and increase their resilience to future crises.”

UNCTAD calls on governments in developing countries to align environmental, science, technology, innovation and industrial policies. It urges them to prioritize investment in greener and more complex sectors, to provide incentives to shift consumer demand towards greener goods and to boost investment in research and development.

Developing countries should also urgently boost technical skills and scale up investments in ICT infrastructure, addressing the connectivity gaps between small and large firms and between urban and rural regions.

 

An enabling international trading environment is critical

But developing countries can’t take advantage of green technologies on their own. Much of the success of their domestic policies will depend on global cooperation through international trade, which would require reforms to existing trade rules to ensure consistency with the Paris Agreement to tackle climate change.

The report says international trade rules should permit developing countries to protect emerging green industries through tariffs, subsidies and public procurement – so that they not only meet local demand but also reach the economies of scale that make exports more competitive.

International support to transfer green technologies to developing countries is also critical. The report proposes the application of principles that were invoked against the COVID-19 pandemic, when some countries were allowed to produce and supply vaccines without the consent of the patent holder. This would offer manufacturers in developing countries quicker access to key green technologies.

It says international trade and related intellectual property rules should provide more flexibility for developing countries to put in place industrial and innovation policies to nurture their nascent industries so that new green technology sectors can emerge there.

The report also calls for an international programme of guaranteed purchase of tradable green items, coordinated green technology research at the multinational level, increased support for regional centres of excellence for green technologies and innovation, and a multilateral fund to stimulate green innovations and enhance cooperation between countries.

Green city with lots of trees and bushes

Zambia: ‘Green City’ Plan Should Focus on Lead Mine Remediation

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew
Green city with lots of trees and bushes

The Zambian government’s statement that it intends to make Kabwe a “green city” could offer an important opportunity to address the toxic lead that has been harming residents for decades, the Alliance for a Lead-Free Kabwe, a group of Zambian and international organizations, said. Zambia’s acting minister of green economy and environment, Elijah Muchima, announced the plan at a roundtable conference organized by the alliance in Lusaka, the capital, on March 2, 2023.

“We are heartened to hear from the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment about its plan,” said Namo Chuma, director of Environment Africa Zambia. “But Kabwe can only be considered green if the cleanup of the source of the pollution, the toxic mine, is the number one priority in the government’s plans.”

The town of Kabwe in Central Zambia is one of the worst pollution hotspots in the world because of contamination from a former lead and zinc mine. The mine began operating during the British colonial period, was later nationalized, and was closed in 1994. But the mine’s toxic waste was never cleaned up.

As a result, lead dust from its large uncovered waste dumps blows over to nearby residential areas such as Chowa, Kasanda, and Makululu, putting up to 200,000 people’s health at risk. Medical researchers estimate that over 95 percent of children living near the former mine have elevated blood lead levels. They also say that about half of them have blood lead levels so high that they require urgent medical intervention.

The Ministry of Green Economy and Environment has stated that “developments in the Green Kabwe city must proceed on top of buried lead surfaces.” The term “buried” suggests that the government would cover the mine’s waste piles in such a way that they don’t further contaminate the environment, a method sometimes described as “capping.” This method has been successfully used in a comparable lead and zinc mine in the United States and elsewhere. The capping process should be part of a comprehensive plan to provide a remedy, adhere to remediation standards, and include ongoing monitoring, the Alliance for a Lead-Free Kabwe said.

In March 2022, President Hakainde Hichilema requested the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment to establish a technical committee to “address and lead the process of comprehensive remediation” in Kabwe. However, the technical committee only had one meeting, on June 3, 2022, which was attended by representatives from government agencies, the University of Zambia, and civil society organizations. Since then, a subcommittee has been working on the committee’s terms of reference. The process of finalizing the terms of reference has been slow, and the committee’s terms of reference have not been made public.

“After a year of inaction, the government’s technical committee should promptly start working on a concrete and feasible plan for the comprehensive cleanup of Kabwe mine waste,” said Juliane Kippenberg, associate children’s rights director at Human Rights Watch. “The government should ensure that the committee shares its terms of reference with civil society groups for input, publishes the final terms of reference, and conducts consultations with international and Zambian experts on mine remediation.”

The roundtable conference in Lusaka brought together government officials, members of parliament, remediation experts, international donors, civil society groups, youths, and members of affected communities in Kabwe. The parliament member for Kabwe Central, Chrizoster Phiri, appealed to government to find a “lasting solution” to the toxic legacy in Kabwe. 18-year-old Natalie Chilikwela from Kabwe, speaking on behalf of a youth group, said, “We are done talking … we want to see action.”

Lead is a toxic metal with no safe level of exposure. It causes stunted growth, memory loss, developmental delays, and many other irreversible health effects. It can also cause coma and death. Children are especially at risk. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lead is one of ten chemicals representing a major public health concern.

A Human Rights Watch report on the Kabwe case has illustrated the harmful impacts of lead contamination on children’s rights to health, information, and education. The Zambia Mining and Environmental Remediation and Improvement Project (ZMERIP), a government program, is providing some lead testing and treatment for children, as well as cleanup measures, but has not included a cleanup of the source of the lead, the mine waste.

“The children of Kabwe deserve a swift and lasting solution that allows them to live in a healthy environment,” said Josphat Njobvu, director of Advocacy for Child Justice. “The government now needs to put its words into practice.”

Hands holding Global communication network with Environment icon on a green background.

Africa’s Sustainable Growth Hinges on Science, Technology, and Innovation

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew
Hands holding Global communication network with Environment icon on a green background.

Achieving the ambitious targets of the 2030 and 2063 Agendas requires leveraging the power of science, technology, and innovation (STI) to fight multidimensional vulnerabilities so Africa can move from crisis to sustainable development. 

During a session on STI at the Ninth African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development , experts emphasized the crucial role of STI as a key driver and enabler for ensuring economic growth, improving well-being, mitigating the effects of climate change, and safeguarding the environment. 

They also underscored the need to strengthen national and regional STI ecosystems by fostering innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and investing in research and development. By doing so, Africa can harness the potential of STI to accelerate its socio-economic progress and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

The session, held on 2 March 2023, builds on the recommendations of the Fifth African Science, Technology, and Innovation Forum, which accentuates the central role of STI and digitalization during the Covid-19 pandemic and the need for the necessary infrastructures for the development of STI, plans, and policies that are action-oriented towards strengthening its full implantation.

The experts highlighted that despite advances in STI, significant gaps remain in bridging the scientific and technological divide between developed countries and Africa. The highly uneven global distribution of scientific capacity and access to knowledge threatens to derail the goal of leaving no one behind, which is the central and transformative promise of Agenda 2030.  

“We need a clear political will from governments to ensure science, technology, and innovation is a reality. By doing so our education systems will be capacitated to deliver knowledge that is vital to solving Africa’s sustainability challenges” said, Mamoudou Djibo, Minister for Higher Education and Research, Niger

In the wake to achieve ‘the Africa we want,’ a 10-year STI strategy was adopted by the African Union. The strategy includes the establishment of universities as centers for excellence and investments in education, technical competencies, and training in the fields of science, technology, research, and innovation. These initiatives are crucial in accelerating progress towards achieving global goals. However, in order to fully leverage the potential of STI, significant investments in research and development are required. 

National systems also need to be strengthened, as articulated by Emma Theophilus, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technologies, Namibia:

“Strengthening our national systems for STI is a key game changer for rapid structural transformation in Africa. Leveraging the digital transformation can achieve a stronger, smarter, and more inclusive recovery.” 

Over the last decade, Africa has embarked on a trajectory to strengthen its STI capacity. Heightened during the pandemic, emerging evidence suggests that an STI and digital Africa can be a springboard to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs and fulfil the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

Salesman shaking hands with doctor

Kenya and France Partner to Improve Healthcare in the Country

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew
Salesman shaking hands with doctor

On Wednesday Uasin Gishu, the Principal Secretary of the State Department of Medical Services, Eng Peter Tum, joined the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Dr Alfred Mutua, and the Governor of Uasin Gishu, Hon Jonathan Bii, in welcoming the French Minister for Foreign Trade Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, Hon. Mr. Olivier Becht, at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

During the visit, the PS expressed gratitude for the French Government’s support in improving healthcare in Kenya. The French Government has been a great partner in supporting various healthcare facilities in the country, including the Shoe 4 Africa Children’s Hospital and the Riley Mother and Baby Hospital.

In addition, the French Government has supported the HepWek Project through the Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects (FSPI) for the past two years. The project aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma through capacity building and other initiatives.

“Thanks to the partnership with France, significant progress has been made in improving healthcare in Kenya. Access to healthcare services has been expanded, mortality rates have been reduced, and overall health outcomes have improved for the Kenyan people,” the PS said.

The PS also expressed appreciation for the support of the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and the Governor of Uasin Gishu in welcoming the French Minister. The partnership between Kenya and France in healthcare is an excellent example of the positive impact that can result from international cooperation.

Moving forward, the PS reaffirmed the commitment to continuing to work with the French Government and other partners to improve healthcare in Kenya. The ultimate goal is to provide universal access to quality healthcare services to all Kenyans, regardless of their economic or social status.

Carbon concept. CO2 text on nature background.

Making Carbon Markets Work for Africa

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew
Carbon concept. CO2 text on nature background.

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Afreximbank will convene the 2023 African Business Forum, an annual platform for dialogue between the African business and political leaders and policy makers, on realizing Agenda 2063 and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

The sixth edition of the Africa Business Forum convened with the support of the African Union Commission and Sustainable Energy for All, will be held under the theme “Making Carbon Markets Work for Africa” on 20 February 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Carbon markets present a great opportunity for African countries to utilize their abundant natural resources to unlock economic value and accelerate sustainable industrialization and economic transformation and diversification.” ECA Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Antonio Pedro, said, adding that, “The Africa Business Forum is an important platform for Africa to collaborate and trigger action on tapping the opportunities in carbon trading but with the assurance that Africa gets the right price for trading its carbon on the global credit markets.”

Africa has vast amounts of carbon stored in its ecosystems with the Congo forests – dubbed the world’s second lung – being able to absorb about 1.2 billion tons of CO2 each year. The Congo Basin holds roughly 8% of the world’s forest-based carbon.

Mr. Pedro emphasized that Africa is at the cusp of an opportunity to develop the voluntary carbon credit market that will boost climate action while enabling value creation and fostering sustainable livelihoods for communities.

“As Africa seeks to recover from the multi-crises of the COVID pandemic, energy crises and climate change, it is critical that we invest in sustainable value chains that will deliver jobs and resilience and inclusive economic growth. The carbon market present’s such an opportunity for African countries. We must seize it, ” said Mr. Pedro.

The 2023 edition of the Forum aims to build on the positive momentum generated at the 27th Conference of parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Sharm El-Sheikh in November 2022 on the use of carbon credit markets as a means of accelerating climate action, and in particular generating investment into transformative economic action in African countries. 

At COP27, African countries launched the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative to produce 300 million carbon credits annually. The initiative seeks to unlock $6 billion in revenue and create 30 million jobs by 2030.

The one-day Forum will bring together governments, private investors and civil society to facilitate investments in bankable projects that deliver meaningful climate action as well as generate high integrity carbon credits for Africa to accelerate investments and financing for sustainable development.

The goal of the Africa Business Forum is to promote an ongoing dialogue between the private and public sectors in Africa to accelerate collective efforts towards realizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, of the African Union.

Past editions of the Forum have had the following themes: investment in 2018; health in 2019; investing in people, the planet and prosperity in 2020; innovative finance to build towards the Sustainable Development Goals in 2021; and investing in multimodal transport and tourism infrastructure to optimize the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area in 2022.

Mobile payment with wallet app technology.

Clickatell Launches Chat 2 Pay with FlySafair for WhatsApp Mobile Payments

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew
Mobile payment with wallet app technology.

FlySafair customers can now make faster, secure and more convenient payments to the airline via their mobile phones

Clickatell, the Chat Commerce and mobile messaging leader, announced that they have gone live with its Chat 2 Pay feature with FlySafair, South Africa’s leading low-cost airline. FlySafair is the first airline in the world to deploy Chat 2 Pay with a pay-by-link capability that allows its customers the convenience of effortless mobile payments via FlySafair’s WhatsApp channel. 

“We are always looking for ways to improve our customer experience and are therefore very excited that our customers can now pay for their luggage with a payment link shared to their mobile phones via WhatsApp. There is no need any more for our customers to go stand in a queue at the airport to pay for luggage,” explained Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair.

FlySafair customers can access the WhatsApp service by sending “Hi” to the FlySafair business account on +27 87 357 0030. Once in the WhatsApp channel customers can select “My Booking” and then “Buy a Bag” and follow the prompts on the secure payment link to make a purchase on WhatsApp. Customers can also scan a QR code at the check-in counters to receive the secure payment link. 

FlySafair, recognized by TripAdvisor as one of the world’s top carriers based on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for airlines worldwide, is bucking the trend of airlines using mobile apps to address consumers’ needs by using WhatsApp as a convenient, instantaneous and optimal customer service and transaction channel for its customers. By adding Chat 2 Pay, FlySafair helps its customers to save time and safely make payments further by clicking on the Chat 2 Pay link delivered in a message in WhatsApp without requiring them to expose their personal payment information to a call center agent or by reading the payment card details out over the phone.

Interacting and transacting with airlines using mobile messaging has already been welcomed by travelers. Clickatell’s latest Chat Commerce Trends Report: Travel Edition 2022, found that 89% of consumers would like to use mobile messaging to interact with airlines and 77% said they are willing to use a mobile payment link with travel brands. Commerce within mobile messaging is becoming the preferred way for consumers to transact, accounting for 71% of retail traffic and generating 61% of online shopping orders.

“We are thrilled to work with FlySafair to transform its customers’ experience by making it possible to make payments using their mobile phones. No one has time to stand in queues anymore, and almost every adult on the planet has a mobile phone. There is a major opportunity for airlines across the globe to enhance their customers’ travel experience by making it possible to browse, book and pay for, as well as manage their travel bookings on their mobile phones,” said Jeppe Dorff, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Clickatell. 

About a year ago FlySafair expanded its customer service by offering the popular WhatsApp channel through the Clickatell Platform. The FlySafair WhatsApp channel hosts key information about customer bookings, flight status, general flight information, an option to check-in and receive boarding passes on WhatsApp, the option to chat with a live agent and now the option to make payments for extra products and services.

“Our goal is to offer all the functionality currently available on our website via the WhatsApp channel, making end-to-end booking and reservation management as easy as possible,” added Gordon.

For more information about Chat 2 Pay, please visit Clickatell’s product page here.

Business people shaking hands after meeting

Relativity Partners with Deloitte and Control Risks to Launch RelativityOne in South Africa

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew
Business people shaking hands after meeting

Expansion of RelativityOne helps companies abide by South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act and The Cybercrimes Act

Relativity, a global legal and compliance technology company, announced that its secure, end-to-end SaaS product RelativityOne is now available in South Africa. Deloitte and Control Risks partnered with Relativity on the expansion to the region, which is a legal hub within the African continent, and will help provide scale, reliability and accessibility within the region to current and future customers.

South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) came into effect in 2021, sparking a growth in the country’s maturity around personal data protection, cyber breach response and how cross-border-data is handled. The country’s Cybercrimes Act, which is directly linked to POPIA, mandates organizations to require access to information from their employees and customer devices to contextualize matters under investigation for cybercrimes. As this includes personal information, it is critical for companies to adhere to POPIA to ensure that there are no legal repercussions.

“We are excited to partner with Deloitte and Control Risks on our endeavor to expand accessibility to RelativityOne worldwide. RelativityOne is available in South Africa at the perfect time as the platform can help customers adhere to the latest data policies and laws in the region,” said Steve Couling, Managing Director and Vice President of Sales, EMEA at Relativity. “Now more than ever before, there is more pressure for companies to keep their data within South Africa and to respond quickly to cyber breaches that may involve cross-border disclosures. RelativityOne allows Deloitte and Control Risks the speed and advanced tools to help their clients comply with such matters.”

Many of Deloitte’s and Control Risks’ global clientele already utilize RelativityOne and this expansion to South Africa demonstrates how the evolution and maturation of data privacy laws and data residency requirements generates a demand for greater availability. This move is a facet of a broader strategy to create global, scalable solutions in a secure and extensible cloud platform. With data continuing to grow exponentially, Relativity fills the gap by providing these firms with cutting edge technology like RelativityOne.

“We are excited to extend our global partnership with Relativity to South Africa,” said Dr. Antonio Pooe, Deloitte Africa Forensic Leader. “Through this alliance, Deloitte Africa Forensic now runs a hybrid Relativity environment that addresses myriad technical and legal requirements for our local and global clients.” 

“We are extremely proud to be first among Relativity Gold Partners to launch RelativityOne in South Africa,” said Joyce Nkini-Iwisi, Principal at Control Risks. “Both here and across the world, our clients are grappling with the implications of today’s high data volumes for complex, cross-border matters. Being able to offer world-class technology that supports data collection, processing, hosting and review within our own jurisdiction – without the international price tag – is a game changer. Since 2017, Control Risks South Africa has had on-premise Relativity with client data hosted in country. The launch of RelativityOne in South Africa will help us to serve clients better through cutting-edge technology that helps them manage the review of today’s huge data volumes.”

As RelativityOne Gold Partners, both Deloitte and Control Risks are dedicated to bringing a secure, reliable and extensible cloud platform to their clients around the world. The expansion to South Africa comes on the heels of strong regional demand for a cloud-based e-discovery platform. This expansion also provides more opportunities for Deloitte’s and Control Risks’ well-versed teams to offer an even better experience for their customers in the cloud.

RelativityOne is now available in 17 geographies. Earlier in 2022, RelativityOne expanded to France, India and Japan.

human hand holding a light bulb with a plant sprout inside

Masdar to Develop 5 GW of Renewable Energy Projects to Advance Africa’s Clean Energy Objectives

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew
human hand holding a light bulb with a plant sprout inside
  • UAE’s global clean energy powerhouse signs deals for projects with a combined generation capacity of 5 GW across Angola, Uganda, and Zambia
  • Agreements signed under umbrella of Etihad 7 – a global development fund launched by the UAE to provide 100 million people across African continent with clean electricity by 2035

Masdar has demonstrated its commitment to helping African nations in their clean energy transition by signing agreements at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2023 with three countries – Angola, Uganda and Zambia – to develop renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of up to 5 gigawatts (GW).

The agreements were signed under the umbrella of the Etihad 7 initiative, a UAE-led initiative that aims to raise public- and private-sector funds to invest in the development of Africa’s renewable energy sector. Etihad 7 was launched at ADSW 2022 by HE Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State in the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) with the aim of achieving 20 GW capacity to supply 100 million people across the continent with clean electricity by 2035.

HE Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State in the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), said, “The UAE and African nations share a firm belief in the tremendous potential that clean energy offers Africa to unlock economic and climate action progress. That is why the UAE launched Etihad 7 last year at ADSW, a program dedicated to accelerating universal access to clean energy across Africa by supplying clean energy to 100 million people by 2035. The signings made this week at ADSW 2023 demonstrate the great traction that we have gained and the milestones that we have achieved together over the past year.”

HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President Designate, and Chairman of Masdar, said: “The UAE is committed to advancing sustainable development in the Global South – and especially in our brotherly nations in Africa. These landmark agreements, which aim to deliver up to 5 GW of energy to Angola, Uganda, and Zambia, follow last year’s signing of a 2 GW agreement for renewable energy projects in Tanzania. These further agreements will be transformative to local communities and will help African nations to drive economic growth for their people while still meeting net-zero objectives.”

The agreements signed under the Etihad 7 umbrella at ADSW 2023 are:

  • An agreement with Angola’s Ministry of Energy and Water for the development of renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 2 GW. 
  • An agreement with Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development for the development of greenfield renewable projects with a total installed capacity of 1 GW.
  • An agreement with Zambia’s Ministry of Energy, and Zambian national utility ZESCO Limited for the joint development of develop solar, wind, and hydroelectricity projects with a total capacity of 2 GW.

HE Joao Baptista Borges, Minister of Energy and Water, Republic of Angola, said, “Today with the new up to 2GW agreement between the Government of Angola and Masdar another step towards a clean and affordable energy transition has been achieved. The project will improve production capacity, creation of jobs and the improvement of access to electricity by the Angolan people. We look forward to tightening the ties between our two countries toward development and partnership.

HE Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Republic of Uganda, said, “The Government of Uganda is delighted about the partnership with Masdar that will enable the addition of 1 GW of renewable energy to Uganda’s generation capacity. This will go a long way to contributing to the attainment of our universal access goals and our energy transition goals. We look forward to developing this project within the agreed timeframe.”

Eng, Victor Benjamin Mapani, ZESCO Managing Director, said: “The historic signing between Masdar and ZESCO is a milestone on an agreement that will see the two parties develop solar energy generation projects to a total capacity of 2 gigawatts in a phased approach over the next 10 years. ZESCO, along with Zambia overall, views the development of clean energy that is complementary to hydropower as a matter of urgency for energy security. We are reassured that we have found the right partner with Masdar and can say we are well positioned to deliver value of mutual benefit through this partnership.”

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar, said, “As part of Masdar’s new shareholding structure launched in December, we have a goal of delivering 100 GW of clean energy around the world by 2030. With Africa’s massive projected development and growth and low current clean energy penetration levels, we see enormous potential for the renewable energy sector across the continent. The agreements we have signed at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will support these nations’ clean energy goals and help to drive sustainable economic development for all four countries.”

Last August, Masdar also signed an agreement with TANESCO, the sole provider of electricity in Tanzania, to develop renewable energy projects with a total capacity of up to 2 GW, also under the umbrella of the Etihad 7 program. The two parties are in the process of finalizing the establishment of a joint venture company to advance this strategic collaboration.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), less than half of the Sub-Saharan African population has access to electricity. Africa also generates just 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. The continent has a theoretical potential capacity of approximately 850 terawatts (TW) of solar and wind, according to a report produced last year produced by Masdar and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week with analytical support provided by McKinsey & Company.

Masdar has already established a considerable presence in Africa, having formed its Infinity Power Holding joint venture with Egypt’s Infinity to target opportunities on the continent. In November, Masdar, Infinity Power and Hassan Allam Utilities signed an agreement with the Government of Egypt to develop a 10 GW onshore wind project – one of the largest wind farms in the world. The three companies are also cooperating on the development of green hydrogen projects in Egypt, targeting a combined electrolyzer capacity of 4 GW by 2030, and an output of up to 480,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year. Masdar also has projects in Mauritania, Morocco, and the Seychelles.

For more information please visit: http://www.masdar.ae and connect: facebook.com/masdar.ae and twitter.com/masdar

Nutrigums

Nutrigums Expands Through the Middle East With Seven-Figure Saudi Deal

Posted on | by Akeela Zahair
Nutrigums

Worldwide expansion plans for fast-growing UK functional gummy brand Nutrigums have taken yet another step forward, with its products due to go on sale across, three more Middle Eastern markets.

Most notably, the company has announced, a multi million-pound deal in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to take its popular range of gummy vitamins to a new overseas market. In addition, two further deals have been secured in the region with exclusive distributors based in Kuwait and Palestine.

Terjinder Singh Purewal, the firm’s head of international, said: “Nutrigums is going through an exciting period of its growth. As we continue to see an increased demand for our products. Therefore, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a very key market, especially in terms of its population and consumption. There is growing demand for high quality vitamins and supplements and based on our research we are confident that Nutrigums’ products that are tailored for women and children shall prove to be extremely popular.”

The company’s distributor, GulfBird Trading Group based in Riyadh, will launch the products in key pharmacy chains across the Kingdom, which has a population of 36 million. The Kingdom will be the first international market for the firm’s latest product – the Kids Multivitamin gummy.

In Kuwait, the partner is the leading health and wellness retailer – Genoa General Trading Co -and has more than 30 years trading experience and the country. The entire Nutrigums range will be sold across the distributor’s own retail chain, Results Vitamin Shop, as well as Holland & Barrett franchise stores that the company operates throughout Kuwait City. 

Barrak Al Fares, CEO of Genoa General Trading Co, said: “We believe Nutrigums has an excellent range of gummy products, and we are very optimistic for this partnership. We are looking forward to launching the products throughout stores in the coming months.”

Similarly, the gap in Palestine’s market for gummies will also now be filled by Nutrigums. Joining forces with leading wellness retailer ChemiMart Co. The brand will launch with around five key SKUs taking to the shelves across pharmacies.  Launches across both markets are scheduled for the end of Q1 2023.

Yousef Saad, CEO of ChemiMart Co, said: “We are very excited about this opportunity, and we are sure that Nutrigums will be a great success here in Palestine.”

Fabian Whittingham, co-founder of Nutrigums said “These three key partnerships in the Middle East come just after our seven-figure deal in Pakistan, showing just how fast expanding this part of the Nutrigums business has been – we are also aiming to sign exclusive distribution partners in 10 countries over the next six months. We also have several exciting products on the horizon within trending categories such as gut health, stress and anxiety, sleep and skincare. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what 2023 holds for us all.”

Nutrigums has rapidly expanded its popular functional plant-based vitamin gummy ranges having sold hundreds of thousands of units through some of the UK’s largest retailers, including Amazon, Lloyds Pharmacy, Morrisons and Superdrug.    

The global company uses fruit pectin as a gelling agent instead of animal-derived gelatine base, as analysts predict the plant-based food market is set to grow by 11.9% by 2027.

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Invest in African Energy: African Energy Chamber to Host New Year Reception in London on 26 January

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew
Group of people working in modern office

Exploring new opportunities for financing energy projects in Africa, the African Energy Chamber will host a special New Year reception at the Waldorf Hilton in London, which will support European investment opportunities across the continent and drive economic growth and socioeconomic development

 

The voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC), will host a special New Year reception event at the Waldorf Hilton luxury hotel in London on 26 January where participants will be encouraged to explore new avenues in financing energy projects on the African continent. During the event, investors and African energy leaders will be given a platform to support energy initiatives that drive economic growth and human development across the continent.

Upholding a results-focused business environment for international companies and investors operating in Africa’s dynamic energy industry, the AEC’s Invest in African Energy Reception Event will focus on developing an oil and natural gas market in Africa to serve as the foundation of the continent’s energy industry and transition, facilitating a platform for strong domestic trading and investment while reducing barriers of entry into the sector and thus ushering a wave of opportunities for new players to participate in one of the world’s most burgeoning investment destinations.

“African nations must focus on developing a natural gas market to serve as the foundation of the continent’s energy industry,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, adding, “Africa will be unable to meet the UN’s sustainable development goals unless we tap into all resources available, which is why we must encourage and facilitate international investment, specifically from Europe, in oil and gas in order to fairly and economically participate in the global energy transition and drive socioeconomic development throughout the continent.”

Advancing a bold agenda for the African energy sector, the AEC strives to unite governments and credible businesses to spur growth under international standard business practices and position Africa to capitalize on energy investment through strategic partnerships and trade.

With the African continent focusing its efforts on lifting 600 million people who currently lack access to reliable and affordable electricity and 900 million who lack access to affordable clean cooking solutions out of energy poverty, the Invest in African Energy Reception will provide an opportunity for investors to explore various initiatives, which include gas-to-power and renewable energy developments, as well as oil and natural gas exploration and production prospects.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, demand for gas in Europe is expected to rapidly increase in the coming years, thus positioning Africa to take advantage of its immense untapped resources and become a major supplier of oil and natural gas and ensure global energy security while tackling the challenges and opportunities across the continent.

Set to serve as the first of many of the AEC’s Energy Receptions globally business leaders, investors, and government representatives will unite in London – a city that boasts many Africa-focused investment firms – in good faith to advance mutually beneficial trade and investment partnerships under the common goal of advancing African governance while improving energy access, human rights, food and water security, and education on the continent.

Additionally, the Reception event comes on the heels of a partnership between pan-African trade finance institution, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) which  officially partnered with the continent’s premier energy event, African Energy Week (AEW) in 2022  in a move expected to reawaken a new era of deal-signing, local content and multi-sector expansion. Under a mandate to make energy poverty history in Africa by 2030, the partnership will see both AEW and Afreximbank uniting the power of investment and value creation, driving stronger energy developments in 2022 and beyond. The partnership also aims to further attract investment from the UK to facilitate capacity building, the advocacy and financing of African companies, and the development of infrastructure in the continent’s energy sector.

The Invest in African Energy Reception Event will serve as the premier platform for international dignitaries, executives, and companies to participate and operate in Africa’s energy sector, where access to affordable and reliable energy will be fundamental towards development, while simultaneously showcasing the pressing need to balance all forms of energy development to ensure a just energy transition and mitigate the global energy crisis.

Taking place on 26 January 2023, the Invest in African Energy Reception Event will be held at the Waldorf Hilton luxury hotel in Aldwych, London. Participation is open to all guests and RSVP is essential. RSVP to [email protected].

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Week (AEW).

Low CO2

The Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) Ltd Aims to Help Africa Transition Towards Low-carbon

Posted on | by Akeela Zahair
Low CO2

Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) Ltd, the banking arm of MCB Group, ambitions to become a more prominent player in the African energy landscape, by financing and supporting electrification projects that encourage the use of renewable energy. In this respect, MCB has recently participated in three landmark projects in Ghana, Rwanda and Nigeria. These projects are crucial milestones in the electrification goals of these respective countries and in their transition from fossil energy to more renewable, low-carbon energy sources. Prior to joining those three projects, MCB applied the Equator Principles to proactively identify and mitigate environmental and social risks.

Zaahir Sulliman, Head of Specialised Finance, MCB: “We are proud to contribute to these important electrification goals and the transition to more renewable energy sources”

 

Make a difference in Ghana

In July, Genser Energy announced it successfully closed an 8-year USD 425m funding package, which will be used to refinance existing debt and finance crucial electrification projects in Ghana. The funds will allow for a 100km natural gas pipeline to Kumasi, Ghana’s largest city, a 200mmscfd gas conditioning plant at Prestea and a Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) storage terminal at Takoradi port. Genser Energy ambitions to achieve net zero carbon by 2035.

As per Genser Energy, the construction of the natural gas pipeline to Kumasi and the gas processing plant in Prestea will have significant economic and environmental benefits not only for Genser but also for Ghana and the West African sub-region. The transaction will support Genser’s diversification from power to the gas midstream sector and mark a significant milestone in its decarbonization strategy to achieve net zero carbon by 2035 whilst contributing significantly to Ghana’s national climate change targets on emission reduction.

The availability of cheaper and readily accessible piped natural gas in Kumasi and the central belt of Ghana via the new pipeline will encourage industries to switch from imported trucked diesel and heavy fuel oil (HFO) to indigenous natural gas as a low-carbon intensive fuel. The pipeline will also support relocation of power plants from coastal regions to reduce line losses and improve efficiency on the national grid. Moreover, the gas conditioning plant will produce cleaner fuels and establish Ghana as a significant producer and exporter of LNGs. Moreover, the gas conditioning plant will produce cleaner fuels and establish Ghana as a significant producer and exporter of natural gas liquids. This demonstrates the potential of natural gas to act as a transition fuel that can help Africa achieve its development agenda.

 

Supporting Nigeria’s gas-to-power programme

MCB, as co-Mandated Lead Arranger, assisted in structuring and raising USD260MM in debt to fund the completion of the ANOH Gas Processing Plant.

Despite significant untapped reserves, domestic utilisation of gas remains low due to lack of infrastructure. Gas development and infrastructure projects will address this imbalance and result in significantly higher rates of gas utilisation for domestic use.

Assa North-Ohaji South (“ANOH”) is a conventional gas development located onshore Nigeria which will supply AGPC with the feedstock gas and is operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria. The gas infrastructure development project is one of seven critical gas development projects earmarked by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (“NNPC”) and the Ministry of Petroleum to bridge the demand-supply gap in the Nigerian domestic gas market.

The 300MMscfd capacity ANOH plant, located in OML53 in Imo State, is being built by ANOH Gas Processing Company Ltd (“AGPC”) which is equally owned by the Nigerian Gas Company Limited (“NGCL”) and Seplat Energy Plc. Seplat is already a leading provider of natural gas to Nigeria’s power sector, supplying up to 30% of Nigeria’s domestic grid in 2021.

 

A prominent player in Rwanda’s Omnihydro project

Last June, the Omnihydro hydroelectric powerplant was inaugurated in the district of Nyamagabe, Rwanda. This project, implemented by Omnicane, a Mauritian company, and financed by MCB, the leading bank in Mauritius, , came to fruition under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) incorporated in Rwanda and operating under the name of Omnihydro Ltd. The facility has one common powerhouse with two different intakes, one on Mushishito river and the other one on Rukarara river. This power plant intends to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 14,500 tons per year. The hydropower plant is expected to power on average an equivalent of 175,000 homes with clean energy. The small dams constructed on the Mushishito and Rukarara rivers protect communities against floods and droughts, whilst providing more than new 600 jobs during the implementation of the project.

 

How MCB can help

To limit global warming and mitigate climate change’s worst impacts, MCB recognises the need for countries around the world to transition to low-carbon economies. This is particularly important for Africa, as existing development challenges such as poverty, food insecurity and instability make it the continent most vulnerable to climate change. However, MCB also recognises Africa’s complicated energy requirements and the challenge in balancing economic and social progress and access to energy with climate goals.

Africa has the lowest rate of energy access globally – it is estimated that 600 million people lack access to electricity and more than 930 million lack access to clean cooking fuels. While there has been increased investment in the continent’s vast renewable energy potential, this is insufficient to meet growing energy demands. To achieve the continent’s growing electricity needs and help reach its renewable energy goals, MCB can be a financial partner and arranger of choice.

Commenting on MCB’s strong involvement in these projects and its ambition to accompany African countries’ transition to more renewable energy sources, Zaahir Sulliman, Head of Specialised Finance, MCB, said: “We are proud to be contributing towards Ghana, Rwanda and Nigeria’s universal electrification and their respective objective to drive sustainable development goals of meeting universal energy demand, whilst optimising production, minimising costs, and reducing emissions”.

Mr. Sulliman added: “MCB is aware of its responsibility in the face of the climatic emergency and has already committed to stop financing new coal power-plants and discontinue the trade financing of both thermal and metallurgical coal. We believe that the financing of LPG and natural gas will form part of MCB’s gradual energy transition strategy, which builds on our previous commitment to stop all new financing of coal infrastructure and trade worldwide. Financing more sustainable energy projects is a first step in the right direction and we look forward to continuing to support client projects that drive energy transition through responsible consumption and production in an endeavour to improve living standards”.

Future environmental conservation and sustainable ESG modernization development by using technology of renewable resources to reduce pollution and carbon emission

Imo State – Nigeria Goes Green; Official Flag-Off Holds In Owerri – November 1, 2022

Posted on | by Magdalena Lew
Future environmental conservation and sustainable ESG modernization development by using technology of renewable resources to reduce pollution and carbon emission

Partners Numerix Development For A Greener, New Imo State

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has approved Holistic Green Strategies for a Greener and New Imo State, as the state officially goes green in November 2022.

The Government of Imo State had appointed and signed a Joint Venture Partnership Agreement for Carbon Credits, Carbon Finance, Carbon Revenues and Carbon Emissions Reduction with NUMERIX DEVELOPMENT LIMITED and SUMMIT INNOVATIVE & SYNERGY LIMITED in Nigeria; under a Strategic Green Partnership Initiative.

In a statement from GREENPLINTH AFRICA LIMITED, Strategic Partners to NUMERIX DEVELOPMENT LIMITED, the Managing Partner of the Joint Venture; the Green Initiative covers all MDAs and the Private Sector in Imo State, thus reducing the Carbon Footprint, Ecological Footprint and Technological Footprint of all stakeholders in the south-eastern state of Nigeria.

Under the Strategic Partnership Agreement, Numerix Development Limited is expected to develop the Carbon Finance Component of all existing and future projects in Imo State and also midwife the HOPE GREEN REVOLUTION for a Greener and New Imo State.

According to Engr. Babatunde Aina, Managing Director/CEO of Numerix Development Limited, the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma will officially flag-off the Hope Green Revolution and also declare Imo State as a Green State in November, 2022.

Speaking further, he revealed that the Imo State Government will also officially announce that 2% of the state’s annual budget will henceforth be committed to Holistic Green Initiatives, Emissions Reduction and Race towards Zero Carbon in Imo State. Aina further disclosed that Nigeria is fully committed to the Global Green Transition Agenda as demonstrated by President Muhammadu Buhari, and that Imo State, being the very first Subnational to wholly go green in Africa, is a pride to the nation.

The official flag-off of the Hope Green Revolution is scheduled to hold in the state capital, Owerri on Tuesday, 1st of November 2022 by 10.00 am (WAT) in the Government House.

The event with the theme “GREEN TRANSITION AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN AFRICA” will highlight the strategic and key Importance of Accelerated Green Financing to Sustainable Green Growth in the continent.

The flag-off ceremony is expected to bring together, Strategic Stakeholders in Climate Finance, Investment, Environment, Sustainability, Energy, Green Growth and other relevant sectors in Nigeria and Africa.

Some of the immediate take-off projects under the Strategic Green Partnership Initiative are Clean Cooking Technologies Deployment, All-encompassing Retrofitting, Innovative Economic Tree Planting & Nurturing, Training and Capacity Building for Green Jobs Creation and Imo State Carbon Credit Train for improved Economic Prosperity – leaving no one behind.