Africa
Africa food crisis: Bill Gates and smallholders see different solutions
Fertiliser prices have risen by 300% since Russia invaded Ukraine, beyond the reach of smallholders, yet philanthropists see them as key to increasing yields
African leaders blast European no-shows at climate adaptation summit
Presidents of Senegal, DRC and Ghana travelled to Rotterdam to talk about adapting to climate change. Only one European leader was there to meet them
Hali Hewa episode 4: Vanessa Nakate
Globally renowned Ugandan activist Vanessa Nakate talks about solar panels for schools and why loss and damage is her priority for Cop27
African nations eye debt-for-climate swaps as IMF takes an interest
An IMF working paper argues in favour of swapping debt repayments for climate investments in debt-burdened nations – the issue is scale
Nigeria plans gas-led transition to full energy access and net zero emissions
The government is seeking an initial $10 billion to extend energy access to 90 million Nigerians with solar panels and a doubling of gas power generation this decade
Oil not charcoal the biggest threat to Congo rainforest, top researcher warns
Stop blaming poor communities for deforestation, urges author of upcoming FAO report, warning oil exploration could set off a “giant carbon bomb”
Egypt pitches for climate funding in list of African projects to be showcased at Cop27
The Cop27 host is pitching for $11.4bn in investment as part of a push with the UN to match bankable climate projects with private funders
Hali Hewa episode 3: The indigenous experience
Cindy Kobei talks about growing up as an indigenous person in Kenya’s Mau Forest and what has changed with land rights issues and the climate crisis
South Africa turns to renewables, gas and batteries to end power cuts
President Cyril Ramaphosa promised to tackle the country’s frequent electricity outages by mobilising private sector investment and international support
Hali Hewa episode 2: Climate science
Youba Sokona, a distinguished climate scientist from Mali, talks about his journey and what the science says about Africa’s needs
Indonesia is learning lessons from South Africa’s tough energy transition deal talks
Talks between donor countries and South Africa on a coal-to-renewables finance deal have been slow and difficult. Indonesia wants to do things differently
Tanzanian authorities seen opening fire on Maasai people in game reserve dispute
Rights NGO Survival International has accused the government of “shocking violence” and evicting Maasai people from their land to make way for trophy hunting
‘Furious and disappointed’: African activists excluded from Stockholm+50 summit
Several African climate activists have been unable to obtain Swedish visas for the major environmental conference despite spending time and money applying
African nations’ dash for gas exposes division at the UN and ‘hypocrisy’ in Europe
The UN chief says it is “madness” to explore for more fossil fuels, while top Nigerian UN officials support African leaders’ gas-fuelled development plans
Slow progress on Great Green Wall prompts soul-searching at UN desertification summit
African leaders expressed frustration at UN talks in Abidjan over funding barriers as climate impacts in the Sahel outpace action to address them
Nigerian airlines win jet fuel subsidy after shutdown threat
After domestic airlines threatened to ground their planes, the government agreed to cover some of their rising fuel costs
DR Congo approves auction of oil blocks in one of the world’s largest carbon sinks
At least three of 16 oil blocks earmarked for drilling overlap with the world’s largest tropical peatland complex, posing a double threat to the climate
No red alert was issued ahead of deadly South African floods
Experts say a communication breakdown, poor housing and inadequate infrastructure contributed to a death toll from extreme rainfall of 300 and rising
War in Ukraine is compounding a hunger crisis in East Africa, charities warn
Up to 28 million people are facing severe food insecurity as soaring wheat prices follow failed rains, Covid and desert locusts
Germany must bring African nations into its G7 ‘climate club’
The new German government must prioritise the climate crisis in its Africa policy, and make climate diplomacy with Africa a core component of its G7 presidency