Category: ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE

Expecting Great Things from Africa’s New Oil and Gas Economies in 2023

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 14, 2022/ — By NJ Ayuk, Chairman, African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org)

While the consensus opinion of the western elites may be that oil and gas is a dirty, outdated technology staggering on its last legs, the African Energy Chamber remains grounded in reality.

As proponents of a zero-carbon future tout the promises of solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower – depicting a world free of emissions yet somehow exponentially more electrified than it is today – the global oil and natural gas industry is certain that fossil fuels will continue to play a major role in powering the earth for decades to come.

If a fully sustainable energy future truly awaits us, however far off it may be, oil and gas will undoubtedly continue to fuel our journey toward it just as petroleum-based materials will remain central to its development.

Hydrocarbons will continue to provide heat and generate electricity as we assemble turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles from components made of plastic.

The fact that legacy oil fields diminish in productivity over time doesn’t mean we should abruptly halt all production in the name of climate change and learn to manage with what little output renewables currently offer. Such an ill-advised decision would constitute a veritable death sentence for the developing world, if not most of society.

New Players on the Field

As noted in our recently released report, The State of African Energy: 2023 Outlook, untapped discoveries, both onshore and off, practically encircle the African continent, and several new oil and gas economies stand ready to come online, stepping up into their rightful place on the world stage.

In 2022, one month after Shell announced an oil discovery off the coast of Namibia, the Total Energies discovery in the Venus-X1 well in block 2913B in the Orange Basin became the region’s second significant find for the year.

The discovery is estimated to be more than 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) and represents the southern African nation’s first opportunity to become an oil producer. Operations in the region are underway, and production is expected to begin in 2026.

On the eastern coast, Mozambique’s recent entry into the natural gas industry has set the impoverished country on a new path toward economic development. With discoveries made in the Rovuma Basin projecting annual liquefied natural gas (LNG) output in excess of 30 million tonnes, Mozambique’s LNG industry has secured $55 billion in investments, quadruple the value of the nation’s GDP.

A quarter of the LNG produced will be reserved for domestic use while revenue from exports will add $10-$14 billion to their GNP each year.

Moving south, the Brulpadda and Luiperd discoveries off the coast of South Africa’s Mossel Bay are estimated to hold more than 2 billion barrels of gas condensate – an amount that would set South Africa’s total petroleum resources at approximately 9 billion barrels of oil and 60 trillion cubic feet of gas. Such figures would dramatically transform the national economy by covering more than half of the country’s current energy demands and slashing its reliance on imports. Successful development of the Brulpadda and Luiperd sites will inevitably lead to further exploration, capitalization, and investments toward much-needed infrastructure, providing welcome relief from South Africa’s economic troubles.

When Samia Suluhu Hassan took office as Tanzania’s first female president, the change in leadership led to revived negotiations between the government, Royal Dutch Shell, and Norway’s Equinor regarding the development of the country’s offshore LNG reserves.

Discovered in 1974, the sizeable reserves remained untouched mainly due to political stagnation, but the new administration has managed to arrange for a project construction start date in 2023.

In addition to attracting outside investment, job creation, export revenue generation, and providing a supply of domestic energy, the Bank of Tanzania estimates that this project will single-handedly increase the nation’s economic growth rate by 2%.

Recent discoveries in the Senegal-Mauritanian basin have proven that the region sits atop more than 1 billion barrels of oil and 40,000 billion cubic feet of natural gas – designating the find as one of the petroleum industry’s largest to date.

In an effort to appeal to foreign investors, both Senegal and Mauritania have taken steps to facilitate the establishment of offshore operations in the area. Senegal’s Plan for an Emerging Senegal (PES) commits billions to infrastructure, including airport, highway, and rail improvement projects and the construction of a deepwater port in the capital city of Dakar.

Mauritania has revised its previously prohibitive regulations, developed a gas master plan, and designated the port city of Nouadhibou as a hub for gas processing and international trade.

A Healthy Compromise

Africa cannot be deprived of this long-awaited opportunity for economic growth. An adjustment to the oil and gas industry’s focus – from elsewhere in the world to Africa – will create jobs, business and monetization opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and a diversification of national economies.

Governments across Africa will collect massive increases in revenue. The spread of reliable and affordable electricity across the continent will rectify widespread energy poverty issues. Schoolchildren will find all new educational opportunities, and the overall quality of life in Africa will significantly improve.

As nations across the globe work to transfer their energy dependence from fossil fuels to renewable resources, the same cannot be expected from Africa, at least not on the same timetable.

For more than a century, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America have reaped the economic and technological rewards that this head-start has given them. Africa will require time to catch up but can offer much support to the global energy evolution in the meantime.

Between 2026 and 2030, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, and the Senegal/Mauritanian region will be capable of producing a million barrels of oil per day (boepd) and 2.5 million boepd over the following decade.

This production rate will initially account for 8% of Africa’s oil and gas output, increasing to roughly 20% of its total production between 2031 and 2040.

Any impact on climate change brought about by an increase in African oil and gas production, if not balanced by emissions reductions in more developed countries, will be minimal compared to what the world has already accommodated.

The African Energy Chamber stands by these nations as they prepare to benefit from their natural resources, and we are excited by the prospect of contributing to the transition to a sustainable and prosperous future for all.

November 14, 2022
COP27 Forms Special Parliamentary group
- The Global Parliamentary Group will comprise representation from elected and Nominated Members of Parliaments who will be mandated to Champion and Push for the formulation and Implementation of Laws governing Climate Change and its effects.
The world will now have a special Parliamentary Group whose core mandate will be to look into matters of climate change affecting various countries on various continents.

The Special Parliamentary Group was Launched on November,10th 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt at a side event during the COP 27 Conference on Climate Change.

The Global Parliamentary Group will comprise representation from elected and Nominated Members of Parliaments who will be mandated to Champion and Push for the formulation and Implementation of Laws governing Climate Change and its effects.

Presented at the Launch were members of Parliament from Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, along with Nicholas Dunlop Secretary General of the Climate Parliament.

The meeting that was moderated by Laurence Tubiana architect of the Paris Agreement, discussed the role elected officials can play in implementing the governments’ climate pledges.

Kenya was represented by Homa-bay Senator, Moses Kajwang and nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi.

Also present were Amira Saber, Member of Parliament, Egypt; Dr Salisu Mohammed Dahiru, Director General, Nigeria Climate Change Council, Rebecca Kamara Member of Parliament, Sierra Leone and Nicholas Dunlop, Secretary-General, Climate Parliament

“Climate Parliament Global brings together MPs from all continents who are passionate about providing solutions to the climate crisis,” said Senator Kajwang’.

“Elected politicians have the strongest mandate to decide on an accelerated global energy transition, elected politicians have the power to make the big decisions on saving our great forests, and the other steps needed to control Climate Change. With the Paris target of 1.5C in danger of slipping away, it is time for elected members of parliament and congress to get more heavily involved in global, regional, and national decision-making on the implementation of the Paris Agreement,” reiterated Laurence Tubiana architect of the Paris Agreement.

The Global Parliamentary group resolved to carry out oversight and to demand accountability from national governments on how far they have gone in implementing respective Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
November 13, 2022
Communities reap big from the magical Kenya Tembo naming festival

CS Tourism,Wildlife and Heritage Peninah Malonza receives contributions from Elephant Cooporation towards the Tembo Naming festival. She is flanked by KTB CEO Dr Betty Radier (left) and KWS DG Brig Rt John Wawe

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Close to 500 communities in the environs of Amboseli national park have directly benefited from projects funded through the Magical Kenya Tembo Naming Festival launched two years ago.

Yesterday, Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza hosted a fundraiser dinner for the initiative that realized about 12 million shillings.

The Magical Kenya Tembo naming festival, which will be held sometime, next month at Amboseli national park is a joint ambitious initiative between the government and private sector to minimize human-wildlife conflict through several interventions.

From the Magical Kenya Naming festival debut, Kshs 16 million raised so far, and 475 households are benefiting directly from projects already initiated key among them being water projects initiated to reduce the scramble for water resources between human beings and Wildlife.

So far, four boreholes have been dug near communities in the Amboseli ecosystem including; the Imarba borehole, Risa borehole, Olgulului borehole, and Kimana borehole.

Further, through the initiative, additional land has been mobilized through partnerships with communities to minimize roaming elephants into the community land.

While presiding over the Magical Kenya Tembo Naming fundraiser dinner at Nairobi National park, Malonza said that the ever-growing demand for sustainable solutions has necessitated concerted efforts by all stakeholders to conserve the country’s natural resources.

She noted that while conservation is a focus area in many parts of the world, Kenya is not immune from its problems. “As we transition the country towards sustainable tourism, we are looking at ways to make sure that our natural resources are well protected for the future. As you can see, the funds raised are going into projects that are improving the lives of communities and wildlife as well. she said.

“The Tembo Naming Festival champions elephant conservation through various activities such as naming of elephants, collaring and tracking, community livelihood projects, and conservation education programs. I applauded more than 20 proud parents who have shown their invaluable support by adopting elephants.” Said Malonza

The CS also noted with concern the effects of climate change pointing out the current drought situation that has also affected wildlife in Kenya. She stressed the need to consider long-term mitigation solutions.

“In recent years, we have seen the adverse effects of climate change and the great risk it is posing to wildlife resources due to extreme weather conditions such as prolonged droughts and lack of rains which have had devastating effects on our ecosystem resulting in reduced biodiversity and habitat loss among other things. It is therefore prudent that we must ensure that our wildlife resources are protected through appropriate legislation and policy frameworks so that they can be managed effectively from an ecological standpoint,” Malonza said.

On her part, Kenya Tourism Board CEO, Dr. Betty Radier underscored the huge impact that conservation has had on the modern traveler’s awareness of environmental issues and their impact on the planet. She added that the current tourist demands a higher level of respect for nature and its inhabitants from both visitors and locals alike.

“Today’s traveler wants to do more than just visit a national park or go on a game drive. They want to experience and feel the impact of their travel, be part of conservation efforts, and learn about how they can make a difference in supporting conservation efforts. As a destination, we have to adapt and integrate our tourism offering accordingly so that we can attract more travelers who want to visit Kenya but also do something for the environment.,” she said.

Kenya Wildlife Service Director General Brig. (Rtd.) John Waweru said that by conducting wildlife monitoring through earth ranger systems and community grassroots projects, Kenya Wildlife Service aims to secure a better future for elephants and their habitats as well as foster peaceful co-existence with their human neighbors. He also noted that the agency is committed to identifying existing challenges in wildlife conservation and developing solutions that are holistic and sustainable from an environmental as well as socio-economic perspective.

November 5, 2022
AGRA and Grow Asia enter Collaboration Agreement to drive South-South Cooperation between Africa and Asia

Dr. Agnes Kalibata – President of AGRA, and Beverley Postma – Executive Director of Grow Asia, at the signing of the agreement

AGRA and Grow Asia have signed a collaboration agreement to accelerate food system transformation in Africa and Asia.

Grounded in the spirit of South-South Cooperation between the leading agri-food platforms in Africa and Asia respectfully, the agreement will pave the way for the co-development of knowledge exchange and training programs, joint case studies, and research, and, where appropriate, the pooling and sharing of tools and resources.

South-South cooperation is characterized by technical collaboration by developing countries in the Global South. It is a tool most typically deployed by international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to share knowledge and skills in specific areas such as agricultural development and climate change mitigation.

This collaboration agreement between AGRA and Grow Asia was announced during the Grow Asia Forum in Singapore on Tuesday 18 October, Grow Asia’s annual summit co-hosted with the World Economic Forum.

“Grow Asia provided us with the opportunity to bring our continents [Africa and Asia] together to take advantage of the best they each have to offer. This is the perfect time to strengthen South-South Cooperation and to learn from each other. We are going to demonstrate that international cooperation continues to be an important pillar to help us feed more people and take better care of our planet. This meeting serves as the launch pad for a series of commitments between our two institutions and countries across continents in the south,” said Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA.

“South-South Cooperation is at the heart of how Grow Asia operates, bringing together over 600 partners across Southeast Asia to co-develop, pilot, and scale solutions to some of the region’s most pressing food system challenges,” says Beverley Postma, Executive Director of Grow Asia. “Food systems in Africa and Asia share many similarities and challenges. We know that intra-regional cooperation serves as an important enabler of economic development, resulting in increased trade, technology transfer, foreign direct investment and, critically, trust. We welcome AGRA’s partnership and look forward to the many synergies this agreement will bring.”

October 25, 2022
Impacts of climate change utterly devastates pastoral communities in Kenya

By HENRY OWINO

In early the 20th century, the Maasai were the dominating tribe and occupied large chunks of lands in Kenya. They are one of the very few tribes who have retained most of their traditions, lifestyle and lore.

The community co-exists with wildlife unlike many other tribes in Kenya. The Maasai are semi-nomadic and pastoral community who live by herding cattle and goats.

Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting northern, central and southern Kenya and northern parts of Tanzania. They have distinct social, economic or political systems as a way of their lives and speak the Maa language.

They are a member of the Nilo-Sahara family of languages related to other communities such as Nuer in Southern Sudan, Kalenjin of Kenya among others. Their continuation to hold language, culture and beliefs have heavily contributed to their rich heritage in terms of arts making them distinct people.

However, the community is marginalized and discriminated against by the State in public leadership. Due to these reasons, Maasai community have always maintained to develop their ancestral environments and systems.

Unfortunately, the community large domesticated animals which must be released onto large vegetated outdoor lands for grazing, faces impact of climate change. Historically as nomadic people, they move around with their herds but this is changing as devasting effects of drought is causing them lose the habit.

With the climate change reality, the ravaging effects of drought has made several livestock come to their knees literally in Kajiado County. Communities are worse hit by the effects as there is no pasture and water for the animals.

The prolonged dry spell which began in August this year which has left hundreds of livestock emaciated, some too weak to stand on their four feet, while other just die. The seasonal rivers have dried up and the greens disappeared into dusty wilderness.

The community whose livestock is their main source of livelihoods and unluckily are now dying in their thousands, it means that community existence is also under threat. Many herders are selling the livestock at a throwaway price because greens are long gone leaving only shrubs and desiccated tress covered in dust and rivers also dried up.

Worse still the scorching sun burns holes in the herders’ pockets in terms of trade which has increasingly become unfavorable the livestock keepers. Most markets are flooded with goats, sheep and cattle thus lowering the prices of livestock so many have to sell to keep them from dying.

Typically, October to December marks the beginning of short rains in Kajiado County and its environs marking recovery period for depleted pasture and water sources but again the rains fail short this season. The Maasai community here dependent heavily on livestock and as their herds are weaken the community is threatened.

John Kisimil says the effects of drought has hit them hard especially cattle. Goats at least are withstanding by eating shrubs even if there is no water but cows are dying per hour in day and night.

“Livestock is our main source of livelihood and if they all die, we shall also just die because there is no hope at this rate. Government should intervene and assist us otherwise this is a big lose in our investment,” Kismil pleaded.

The drought has also escalated human- wildlife conflicts. Most livestock have become weak yet wildlife especially leopards, and hyenas invade livestock at home in the night consequently leading retaliation by herders.

In certain parts of Kajiado County, climate crisis and conflicts are adversely affecting mobility. When moving with animals in search of pasture and water weak that are stack on the way and left behind are killed eaten by the wildlife.

While stronger ones may walk but very slowly forcing herders to spend hours or sometimes days to reach at the water point.

Joseph Samperu, a resident of Endonyo Sidai, said nowadays there is a little bit of relief for herders following construction of a borehole in the area. He revealed since commissioning of the borehole, herders no longer have to walk far in search of the precious commodity for their livestock.

“Locals have suffered for years. Imagine the whole community relying on water from seasonal rivers which dries up completely during the drought,” Samperu regretted.

He said during drought residents share single river with wild animals. Yet at night, they attack livestock. Many people have lost their lives because of human-wildlife conflicts in retaliation.

Samperu defended low grades performance by the pupils attributing it to poor schools’ attendance and lack of concentrate on their learning. He disclosed that children are forced to walk for miles in search of for drinking water before going to school in the morning.

Some children drop out of school to become herders during drought as their parents can’t withstand the heat from scorching sun in the herding field. The Maasai also value livestock more than education of their children hence poor education in the community.

Eunice Naserian, said women are severely affected by the drought as they have to look for food, firewood, feed and care for family. The milk production they depend on is no longer available due to depletion of vegetation and lack of water for cattle, so available milk is left for calves.

Naserian regertes that women take a lot of time to look for water thus denying them opportunity to concentrate on economic activities to improve their lives.

Currently, in most parts of the country, there is severe drought and pastoralist communities in especially in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of Kenya are facing it hard. Approximately 4 million people countrywide are facing severe food crisis as result of prolonged drought and are need of aid.

Majority of pastoralists admit that there are negative impacts of climate change on cattle production. They pointed out that severe persistent drought period resulted in shortage of forage and water, leading to cattle starvation and malnutrition.

Uncertainty of weather patterns have really exposed livestock farmers to severe drought. Many are losing livestock worth millions of Kenya money as result of depletion of vegetation, lack of water. Families face food insecurity, environmental degradation, and wildlife conflict due competition of scare resources.

“As pastoralists we are always aware of the general climate trends in our location, its variability and the impacts of extreme weather events on cattle production. This time round, we have been caught unaware since between September and December there is always short rains, but look it is high temperature and prolonged period of drought,” Simon Kasino revealed.

“Population pressure and tree cutting is the major causes of climate change that is affecting our environment. Government used to urge people to plant two trees for each cut but nowadays people don’t care hence the consequences,” Kasino lamented.

Martin Moshisho Deputy Governor, Kajiado County promises to work with National Government under Department of Drought Preparedness Agency to assist livestock keepers to get water and where necessary to provide relief food and to also buy some of the animals to cushion the farmers from losses.

Moshisho is concern with the range of negative impacts of current climate change and extreme weather events on cattle production. He therefore stated the implications of climate change must be considered to ensure longer-term survival and sustainability of pastoralist communities through strengthening of climate risk awareness programs and early warning systems across the counties.

Further, national and county governments and should come with alternative support mechanisms to pastoralists in order to help them deal with the negative impacts of climate change on livestock production.

October 25, 2022
Kisumu-based youth group wins new John Deere Tractor in business plan competition

Kowuor Central Village Youth Group, based in Ahero Sub County of Kenya’s Kisumu County, some 319Km West of the country’s capital, Nairobi, on 2nd been named the winner of the competition, taking home a brand-new John Deere 5050D tractor. The competition was a joint collaboration of AGRA, American agricultural machinery manufacturer John Deere, and its dealer Mascor Kenya Limited.

Kowuor Central Village Youth Group beat 85 other groups in the contest, which required participants to have been registered in Kenya with an involvement in agriculture for at least three years.

The applicants had to submit a business plan outlining how they will use the tractor to run a mechanization business.

The competition, targeting groups with members aged 18 – 35 years, was part of AGRA’s plan to popularize agricultural mechanization services in Kenya.

“Kowuor Central Village Youth Group’s business plan stood out because it outlined a clear strategy transforming the tractor into a profitable business, all while increasing the uptake of mechanization in their region,” said AGRA’s Kenya Country Manager, John Macharia.

John Deere’s Divisional Sales Manager for East Africa and the Middle East, Nel Stephan, added: “Kowuor Central Village Youth Group met all the criteria for a win with a clear articulation of their growth plan through the next five years and beyond. Theirs is a social enterprise with clear benefits for members and their community.”

Mr. Macharia emphasized the need for African countries to promote agricultural mechanization, which is a key food system growth driver, but has been slow to develop. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania had the same number of tractors as India in 1960, but the East African countries failed to keep up the pace in uptake with the latter now having 100 times more tractors in use.

“Africa’s agriculture sector is the least mechanized in the world, partly due to the local unavailability of tractors and other implements, as well as inadequate financing. Working through youth agri-SMEs, some mechanization services can be availed closer to where they are required,” he said.

Kowuor Central Village Youth Group’s chairperson, Dickens Muga, said the tractor will help transform their business by increasing their capacity to serve more farmers.

“We already have an existing clientele but have been unable to serve them due to a lack of adequate machinery. It would have taken us quite some time to buy a new tractor out of our profits, and we see this winning as critical in taking our business to the next level,” he said.

Kisumu’s County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries Hon. Gilchrist Owuor Okuom highlighted the critical role of mechanization in increasing efficiency and productivity in crop production.

He reiterated the significance of mechanization in onboarding more Youth into the Agriculture space. He described the initiative as a milestone in his government’s efforts to avail mechanization services to all farmers.

He proposed that his Department would have Kowuor Central Village Youth Group as the County’s Mechanization Champions and pledged to help build the capacity of the leadership of the Group in how to profitably use the tractor.

He thanked John Deere and AGRA for the initiative and appealed to other partners and entrepreneurs to come up and help fill in the gap by offering mechanization services across Kisumu County.

The John Deere AGRA competition follows a recent partnership between AGRA and John Deere to support successful mechanization service providers based on the John Deere S.M.A.R.T Model.

Under the partnership, AGRA supports SMEs in acquiring business skills and financial management for growth, whilst John Deere, through its dealer network (including Mascor), supports in operator training, technician development, after-sales services, and equipment financing.

About John Deere

John Deere is a trusted, world-renowned leader in producing turf, agricultural, construction, and forestry machinery solutions with state-of-the-art precision technology. With its continued focus to strengthen its presence throughout the Africa Middle East region (“AME”), John Deere AME serves its customers through more than 218 dealer touchpoints across the region, as well as sales and marketing offices Kenya and south Africa.

Committed to delivering a distinctive customer experience coupled with solutions-driven advice from its authorised dealer network and John Deere Financial Solutions, John Deere AME promotes food security while actively driving a successful and inclusive agricultural community whilst supporting the growth of Africa via its construction and forestry solutions.

About Mascor

Mascor is one of Africa’s leading suppliers of agricultural equipment with an established dealer network in Kenya and Uganda with unrevoked technical capacity and parts stock to provide a distinctive customer experience.

We are committed to offering our clients, the most professional service, workmanship, high standards and quality products. We believe in the importance of people and value creativity, innovation and enthusiasm. We are proud to be an independent company committed to growth. It is our goal to be recognised as the best in our field and more than that, to offer challenges and opportunities to all those dedicated to growing with us.

October 3, 2022
CWG: Kenyan Duo Mukhobe, Mutunga Through To 400m Hurdles Final

Kenya’s Wiseman Mukhobe qualified for the men’s 400m hurdles final after winning heat 1 at the Commonwealth Games clocking 50.03 seconds.

Mukhobe is joined in the final by compatriot William Mutunga who clocked his personal best of 49.99secs in heat two to also sail to the final where the medal prospects are high.

In heat one Ezekiel Nathaniel of Nigeria finished second while Canada’s Malik Metivier was third as the Commonwealth Games continued to light up the wider West Midland in Birmingham, England.

Wiseman Mukhobe competes in a past race. He’s qualified for the 400m hurdles final at the ongoing Commonwealth Games. Photo/Courtesy

At the same time Jamaica’s Jaheel Hyde won the men’s 400m hurdles heat two to also secure his place in the final while Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands came second ahead of Mutunga. Guernsey’s Alastair Chalmers finished fourth to also bag a final’s ticket.

The Alexander Stadium, one of the main venues for the games, which also staged the opening ceremony, is also hosting the track and field events. The venue will also host the closing ceremony.

August 2, 2022
Christian Eriksen’s incredible road back to football as Man Utd transfer rests on medical

Christian Eriksen is an inspiration.

The star of the Danish national team, the man who powered Brentford to Premier League survival in their first season back in the big time and now on the cusp of becoming Manchester United’s newest addition after verbally agreeing to a three-year deal, it’s impossible not to admire him as a footballer. But it’s not just what he does on the pitch that makes Eriksen such a special player and person, it’s his incredible mental and physical resilience that emerged on his darkest day and shone through right up until his road to recovery was complete.

Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during the European Championship

On Saturday, June 12 last year, the footballing world was brought to a standstill. Eriksen, playing in front of a loving home crowd at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, collapsed midway through a Euro 2020 match against Finland. He’d suffered a cardiac arrest.

As paramedics heroically rushed onto the pitch, the midfielder was quickly and thankfully saved. Fans around the world celebrated the scenes of him being seen awake on a stretcher leaving the field, and the European Championship continued without the potential tragedy. While we got on with our lives, Eriksen’s had changed forever – but he wouldn’t give up on the day job.

Just seven months later, the 30-year-old stepped back onto the pitch to make his debut for Brentford in a 2-0 defeat at home by Newcastle. Manager Thomas Frank hailed his arrival as possibly the biggest signing in the club’s history and Eriksen would make a strong case with one goal, four assists, and several top-class performances before the end of the campaign.

Watch him play and it’s like he’s never been away, but his career was in serious jeopardy only 12 months ago. The ex-Tottenham playmaker was still contracted to Inter Milan having helped them win the Serie A title in May 2021. But the stringent rules of Italian football prevented Eriksen from representing the Nerazzurri again, as he’d been fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) during his early recovery process.

July 5, 2022
MOUTH-WATERING ESPN MENU ON JUNE 30

Boxing fans across Africa can look forward to some of the best combat sports action when ESPN Africa Boxing 18 takes place in Johannesburg and broadcasts live on ESPN on Thursday, June 30, 2022, from 19:00 (CAT).

Sanctioned by Boxing South Africa (BSA) and the International Boxing Federation (IBF), this event will be headlined by a 12-round match for the IBF International Junior Middleweight title between DR Congo’s Emmany “General” Kalombo (15-1-0, 15KOs) and Kenyan Rayton “Boom Boom” Okwiri (8-0-1, 6 KOs).

Kalombo was last in action in April, defeating Malawian Chikondi Makawa via third-round technical knockout in Soweto, while the unbeaten Okwiri in his last fight in October 2021, knocked out John Serunjogu of Uganda in a middleweight non-title fight in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The former African Boxing Union middleweight title holder is determined to put a major belt around his waist once again.

“I have done it in the past and it’ll not be any different this time around. This is a big fight for me and the title must come back home as I’m serious to win it,” Okwiri said.

Kalombo, however, feels that things will go differently: “I have known Okwiri as an amateur boxer for a long time and I’m gonna chop him down and stop him from taking the title.”

The co-main event is a 10-round Welterweight clash between South Africa’s Thulani Mbenge (18-1-0) and Idd Pialari of Tanzania (30-7-1). Mbenge was last in action a year ago, claiming an impressive third-round knockout win over Jabulani Makhense. Pialari broke a losing streak by defeating Chimwemwe Chiotcha via unanimous decision in February this year.

The main card also features an eight-round Super Flyweight clash between Sikho Nqothole (14-2-0) and Selemani Bangaiza (12-7-0); Jabulani Makhense (12-1-0) v Paul Kamanga (23-2-0) over eight rounds in the Welterweight division; and a Super Lightweight battle over eight rounds between Gift Bholo (9-11-0) and Hannock Phiri (14-0-1).

The fight card for this event is as follows:

MAIN EVENT

IBF International Junior Middleweight Title
12 rounds

Emmany Kalombo (DR Congo, 15-1-0)
vs
Rayton Okwiri (Kenya, 8-0-1)

Co-main event: Welterweight
10 rounds

Thulani Mbenge (SA, 18-1-0)
vs
Idd Pialari (Tanzania, 30-7-1)

Super Flyweight
8 rounds

Sikho Nqothole (SA, 14-2-0)
vs
Selemani Bangaiza (Tanzania, 12-7-0)

Welterweight
8 rounds

Jabulani Makhense (SA, 12-1-0)
vs
Paul Kamanga (DR Congo, 23-2-0)

Super Lightweight
8 rounds

Gift Bholo (SA, 9-11-0)
vs
Hannock Phiri (Malawi, 14-0-1)

UNDERCARD

Junior Middleweight
4 rounds

Sinethemba Blom (debut)
vs
Mikaeel van Doorsen (1-1-0)

Junior Lightweight
6 rounds

Cayden Truter (4-0-0)
vs
Khanyisani Mbokazi (2-3-1)

Featuring a diverse range of the continent’s boxing talent, the ESPN Africa Boxing events that take place on the last (or second last) Thursday of every month, are televised to an audience of up to 60 million homes across Africa and Latin America.

The action starts at 19:00 (CAT) on ESPN (DStv 218, Starsat 248), SABC Sport, and selected international broadcasters including ESPN across Latin America, as well as a highlights package in TKO (SABC 2, Fridays at 21:30).

How to tune in:

ESPN: DStv 218, Stars at 248

SABC Sport

All times are stated in CAT / SAST.
Schedule subject to change

For updates regarding ESPN Africa Boxing and other sports, fans can connect to @ESPNAfrica on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit https://www.espn.com/.

Photo: Rayton Okwiri, right, and coach David Kiilu at Palpal Gym, Nairobi. They jet out to South Africa on June 26.

June 24, 2022
climate change trends worry Nairobi residents

Kibera floods where residents lost property and lives.

By HENRY OWINO

Nairobi County, Kenya: In Nairobi, in the recent past, it has not been easy to foretell or predict the weather pattern. This is because the system that is well known to Nairobi residents has completely changed leaving many wondering what is happening.

For a long time, the weather pattern and alterations in Nairobi County have always been known throughout the year around. Nevertheless, for the first time in history, heavy sporadic rainfalls were experienced from January to April. This is different from the traditional extreme dry and hot spell usually experienced at the beginning of each year.

According to David Koros, Principal Meteorologist at the Kenya Meteorological Department based in Nairobi County, the weather pattern has completely changed not only in Nairobi but across the country. He agreed that for many years there is always normal to above normal rainfall between April to June.

David Koros, Principal Metrologist at Metrological Headquarters.

He stated it is usually followed by cloudy and very cold weather between July and August opening up in September. However, the weatherman said between October and mid-December is the time shorts rains are experienced which are average to normal in terms of weather instrument records. He admitted that January to March is known as dry months not only in Nairobi but including most parts of the country.

“Emerging trend now is completely different from the renowned weather system. This year, Nairobi had heavy showers of rains being between January to April. This is the very first time in the history of Nairobi so far to be captured in Metrological Department records,” Koros said.

“It was very unfortunate that the heavy downpours resulted in flash floods damaging property and loss of lives among other devastations. Houses were brought down, roads destroyed, vehicles washed away, several people displaced, human deaths witnessed and schools closed,” he averred.

“I would like to urge Nairobi residents and Kenyans, in general, to always adhere to precautions and early warnings given by Metrological Department concerning rains or dry spells. Media especially the vernacular stations play a good role in informing Kenyans but most people ignore them only to regret later,” Koros advised.

Koros explained the trend is mainly a result of winds changing directions and carrying plenty of moisture from the Coastal region. The moisture hence causes heavy rains in the afternoons in Nairobi, Central Kenya, Lower eastern and its environs instead of usual months as traditions.

He clarified that the winds are a result of climate change due to global warming which generally affects geographical weather patterns of Nairobi making it either wet and cold or dry and hot. The new trend is likely to last longer because in Nairobi due to the effects of pollution so, residents should be ready to embrace it.

According to Prof Shem Wandiga, a retired professor of Chemistry and former Acting Director Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation (ICCA), the new trend of weather patterns in Nairobi and its environs is very unusual. It appears to have caught many residents unaware resulting in severe devastations.

Prof. Shem Wandiga Talks

Prof Wandiga said scientific evidence for the warming of the climate system is unequivocal. The current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is extremely likely to be the result of human activity since the mid-20th century.

The climate change expert regrated that the trend is proceeding at a rate unprecedented over millennia thus greater than 95 percent probability. He cautioned that if the trend is not checked, worse is yet to be experienced in the coming months.

“There have been changes in some types of extreme weather events over the last several decades. Heatwaves have become more frequent and intense, especially in the West. Cold waves have become less frequent and intense across the nation. There have been regional trends in floods and droughts,” Prof Wandiga said.

The effects of climate change can now be witnessed such as rising maximum temperatures, rising minimum temperatures, rising sea levels, higher ocean temperatures, an increase in heavy precipitation (heavy rain and hail), shrinking glaciers all of which are a result of human activities.

“If the rising temperature is not taken care of, there is going to be more devastating impacts to the environment. There are increased greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere attributed to human activities. Industrialization and increase in several motorists including motorbikes mainly used in Nairobi of late contribute greatly to the GHGs making the atmosphere warmer by at least by more than one degree over a period time,” Prof Wandiga cautioned.

“With the temperature in the last decade rising by more than one degree and resulting to a warmer climate, the new decade, heat levels have not remained the same but hotter Prof Wandiga cautioned.

The Expert said Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report 2014, indicates that Carbon Dioxide is the largest occupant of the atmosphere at 65%, Methane gas 16%, Nitrous Oxide 6%, and Fluorinated gases such as Neon at 2%.

The professor noted that a record of hot weather occurs almost yearly for the last decade and is most likely to persist unless the build-up of GHGs in the atmosphere is stopped.

Prof Wandiga cautioned that after the heavy rains experienced, the hot weather might result in further droughts culminating in food insecurity among other devastating agricultural impacts to the rest of the country. He said Africa is the second-largest dry continent, the hot weather would put a strain on water availability.

“Already, climate change is a leading cause of food insecurity and malnutrition in the African region, with tremendous evidence showing worse impact if the heat continues. In 2017 alone, droughts left 12.8 million people in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Somalia food insecure,” Prof Wandiga regretted.

“It is the responsibility of every country to reduce GHGs especially carbon dioxide and not limited to wealthy or industrialized countries. African countries have to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by all means as everybody is being affected,” he challenged.

The 2013 World Bank report dubbed: “Turn Down the Heat”: Climate Extremes, Regional Impacts, and the Case for Resilience, 1.5 degrees warming in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030s. This could lead to about 40% of present maize cropping areas being no longer suitable for current cultivations, and significant negative impacts on sorghum.

The report further indicates that in less than two degrees of warming by 2050s, total crop production could be reduced by 10%. At two degrees, heat extremes could affect 15% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s land area in the hot season causing deaths and threatening farmers’ ability to grow crops.

The Expert noted that African governments have many options to cut down on their carbon dioxide emissions including the use of cleaner energies such as solar and geothermal. Others include putting up a commuter railroad system to reduce the need to drive, stop deforestation and encourage the planting of trees to absorb carbon dioxide emissions.

“I would encourage the use of methane as opposed to fossil fuels as it produces less carbon dioxide and is financially affordable. Though to attract its use, there should be political and economic policy to change those that are unwilling to change,” he advised.

“So, the emerging trends are speeding up climate change effects threatening humanity and livelihoods. Unless there is a clear roadmap for adaptation and mitigation, the effects could be worse,” Prof Wandiga emphasized.

May 18, 2022