Category: ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENTS

  • CS Wahome announces start of Implementation of Horn of Africa Ground Water for Resilience Program

    CS Wahome announces start of Implementation of Horn of Africa Ground Water for Resilience Program

    The Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation has commenced the implementation of the Horn of Africa; Groundwater for Resilience Project (GW4RP) whose objective is to increase the sustainable access and management of groundwater in the Horn of Africa borderlands against the effects of recurrent drought.

    The GW4RP is a programme that will be implemented with the Ministry in partnership with the World Bank Group (WBG) targeting the ASAL five Counties of Wajir, Mandera, Turkana, Marsabit and Garissa.

    Speaking during the official launch of the commencement of the programme from a Nairobi Hotel at a function attended by stakeholders in the programme, Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome said that the project that will cost an upward of USD 135 Million will be disbursed within 6 years period running from 2022 to 2027.

    ‘This will benefit approximately 1.5 million people in the beneficiary Counties with several intergrated projects comprising of water resource management, water services and sanitation services,’ CS Wahome said.

    She assured that no shilling will be lost in the whole process warning that contractors that will be involved in any malpractice will be blacklisted.

    County Govenors from the affected areas who were present asked for the speedy implementation of the project citing that the ongoing severe drought has hit hard in the Northern Kenya region leading to massive loss of livestock and lives.

    They included Mandera’s Mohamed Adan Khalif, Wajir’s Ahmed Abdullahi, Garissa’s Nathif Jama and Marsabit’s Mohamud Mohamed Ali.

    The project is being implemented in phases with Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia participating in phase 1. IGAD is implemenmting the regional component through joint study of transboundary aquifers and capacity building.

    The programme will have 4 components which includes delivering inclusive groundwater services to priority areas, generating groundwater information and strenghtening regional groundwater institutions, project management and lastly emergency contigency response.

    The expected key outputs of the project will see more that 400 boheholes rehabilitated, groundwater management and development startegy formulated, transboundary water policy and mainstream operation and maintanence of borehole water supplies.

    Other outputs will see to it that water institutions handling groundwater capacity are built and aquifer management and development plans are developed.

  • PS Kimotho Welcomes Collaboration in Environmental Conservation

    PS Kimotho Welcomes Collaboration in Environmental Conservation

    State Department of Forestry, Principal Secretary, Mr Ephantus Kimotho has today held discussions with a team from International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) led by Regional Programme Coordinator, Mr Charles Oluchina.

    The meeting explored areas of collaboration in the forestry sector with emphasis to support The President’s Fifteen Billion Trees Campaign christened Mission15B.

    PS Kimotho said the State Department is working on categorizing and mapping the drylands, water towers, farmlands so as to employ strategies and interventions for restoration and rehabilitation efforts.

  • FIFA lifts its ban against Kenya Football

    FIFA lifts its ban against Kenya Football

    FIFA has finally lifted its ban against Football Federation of Kenya(FKF). In a statement shared to media Houses and confirmation by the sports CS Ababu Namwamba, said that in agreement with FIFA they have agreed to lift the ban.

    The ban has been preventing Kenya from taking part in international football activities has been lifted after nine months.

    Football governing body FIFA notified the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on Monday the decision was made following the reinstatement of the federation’s executive committee by Kenya’s new sports minister.

    The ban took effect on February 24 after the sports ministry disbanded the FKF over alleged misappropriation of funds and appointed a caretaker committee.

    During a press conference CS Sports Hon. Ababu Namwambwa said they’re on the course to clean and do sanctification in the ministry of Sports and Sports industry.

     

  • International Engineering Authority to Accredit Locals

    Kenyan engineers may soon get recognition from the International Engineering Authority (IEA) through the recent mentorship of their Malaysian and Pakistani counterparts.

    The Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) Chairman Erastus Mwongera says the earlier plan was shelved due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic but expressed optimism that the accreditation was likely to be finalized by 2023.

    He said the Board of Engineers from Malaysia and the Institution of Engineers of Pakistan had agreed to offer a road map to make the exercise a reality.

    Mwongera made the revelation in Kwale County during the 29th IEK Convention happening in Diani, saying the accreditation was likely to occur in 2024.

    He recognized the role played by professionals adding that an Engineer was molded from the early stages of kindergarten, exposed to engineering activities, and encouraged to create a strong interest in sciences and mathematics.

    Engineering, he said, is a very demanding course and that’s why most of the students who go to engineering have a grade A score.

    Explaining the role of education in engineering, Mwongera reiterated that universities play a very critical role in molding the life of an engineer adding that institutions offering courses and programs on engineering must be certified by the relevant board.

    “It is for their benefit because when they become members of the International Alliance, they are the biggest beneficiaries and they shall attract international students. Their lecturers will be marketable locally and globally; therefore, it is a win-win situation for everyone,” said Mwongera.

    Speaking at the same occasion, President of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) Erick Ohaga said his institution is working closely with the academia to review the curriculum and reflect what the industry is experiencing.

    “Already some of the universities like the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture have already introduced climate mitigation measures meaning they are responding to the market requirement of mitigating climate change,” said Eng. Ohaga.

    “We currently encourage our design engineers to ensure that the designs are subjected to climate change resilient conditions,” he added.

    Eng. Ohaga said the collaboration framework between the Institution of Engineers and Academia is getting stronger every day.

  • Team Sayari to air on Disney channel this festive season

    Team Sayari to air on Disney channel this festive season

    JOHANNESBURG: 24 November 2022: The Walt Disney Company Africa, along with its partners the US Department of State, The U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), and WildlifeDirect, are pleased to announce that Team Sayari will air on Disney Channel, (DStv 303) at 17:05 (EAT) from Monday 12 December 2022, with one episode airing each day from Monday to Friday.

    This announcement follows the successful launch and first run of the entertaining and educational program, Team Sayari, on National Geographic Wild, in response to requests from those that didn’t get the opportunity to see it and for those that would like to enjoy it again over the holidays.

    This innovative, children’s documentary series is produced by Kenyan production company, White Rhino Films and aims to celebrate, encourage and inspire the next generation of environmental champions to interact with, look after, and safeguard the environment and its resources. The series aims to instill knowledge and encourage actions to conserve the world’s biodiversity in a fun way.

    The series is hosted by Mysha Hodson (13), Marita Lucas (12), Shanah Manjeru (14), Railey Mwai (10) and Adarsh Nagda (12) and incorporates a team of brilliant youngsters as field reporters from various parts of Southern, Eastern and Western Africa, to provide Team Sayari viewers with an engaging and diverse experience.

    Recently, on 5th November some of the Team Sayari presenters Marita Lucas, Railey Mwai and Adarsh Nagda, together with CEO of WildlifeDirect’s Dr. Paula Kahumbu and Chief of Party Trish Sewe visited the Wildlife Warriors Kids Field Lab in Kajiado as part of the series’ outreach program, which is currently under way to spread the reach of the series through grassroots outreach in various East African communities. Two episodes of Team Sayari were screened to a group of 115 youths, who were delighted to view the programme with some of the show’s hosts in their midst.

    Thereafter, they engaged with the three hosts, had the opportunity to plant trees, take a nature walk down River Mbagathi which serves as a boundary between the Field Lab and the Nairobi National Park, the only park in world that is located within a capital city. They also learned about nature and the environment from Kahumbu and the WildlifeDirect team and expressed interest in volunteering at the Hub. The three also shared some of their adventurous experiences during the production of Team Sayari, answered questions about nature.

    Team Sayari is the result of a collaborative effort between National Geographic, The Walt Disney Company Africa, USAID, the U.S. State Department and WildlifeDirect.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • The new registration system for persons with disability rolled out by NCPWD by CS labour

    The new registration system for persons with disability rolled out by NCPWD by CS labour

    Labour and Social Protection Hon. Florence Bore officially launched the distribution of the first batch of about 4,000 new digital cards set to be taken to persons with disabilities who have either been newly registered or migrated to the new registration system across the counties.
    According to the NCPWD it has however announced through its CEO Hassan Harun that in this continuous production process, another subsequent batch of 6,000 will be released by next week in the month of November.
    The new CS for labour was taken through the security features of the new card and quick response (QR) code for verification purposes. The new card was produced by Delarue, which is part of the reforms effected in the registration process following the launch of the new registration system during the UN Disability Day last year 2021.
    These reforms are meant to curb fraud and cartels who have been using the old system to bring the service closer to the people and also provide accurate socio-economic data of persons with disabilities in Kenya.
    The cards are set to be distributed across the country and on arrival at the counties, the recipients of the new cards will receive communication from their respective county disability offices to pick them.
    Hon. Bore set anew record and an history by becoming the first top government official to visit National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in its establishment as she called for an end to the perennial delays experienced by persons with disabilities as they seek registration.
    CS Bore pledged to support the Council in its efforts to ensure that all rightful persons with disabilities are identified and registered in line with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals and Kenya’s commitment during the 2018 Global Disability Summit on generating reliable disability disaggregated data. “??? ???????????? ???????????? ??????? 54 ??????? ??????? ???ℎ ???????????? ????? ??????, ????????? ??? ???????? ???ℎ??. ???????????? ?? ??????? ???ℎ ???????????? ?? ?ℎ??????? ???????? ??? ???????? ?? ????????? ?????????????, ???????? ??? ?????????? ????? ??? ?ℎ??,” CS Florence Bore observed.
    The CEO of the Council however stated that soon communication will be made on the phase-out of the old registration card saying that the old card remains valid and in use.
    Urge has been given that Persons with disabilities registered in the old registration system are therefore advised to visit their county disability offices and get their records updated into the new system which will  be a proof-of-life exercise on the over 500,000 registered persons with disabilities.
    CS Bore also pledged to support the Council in lobbying for the pending Persons with Disabilities Bill 2021 and other subsidiary laws and regulations as part  of her roles in the ministry. Having noted the challenges experienced by persons with disabilities as they seek to access NCPWD offices in Westlands due to the Expressway, the newly appointed CS pledged to work with her counterpart in the transport docket to have a long lasting solution effected for the marginalized group.
    During the launch several groups witnessed the ceremony present were the Council’s Board of Directors, key partners including Sightsavers, Light for The World, CBM International, National Council for Children Services, Association of the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK), United Disabled Persons of Kenya, and International and Delarue Team.
  • African Activists Promise Resistance at Home to Oil-And-Gas Touting Leaders

    African Activists Promise Resistance at Home to Oil-And-Gas Touting Leaders

    Climate champions show solidarity with communities who are experiencing climate impacts in the global south. Campaigners demand that polluting companies and countries pay their fair share to repair climate damage
    Climate champions show solidarity with communities who are experiencing climate impacts in the global south. Campaigners demand that polluting companies and countries pay their fair share to repair climate damage

    Climate activists from across sub-Saharan Africa gathered this morning in response to the dash for fossil fuels by African leaders at COP27.

    African leaders have used COP27 – “the African COP” – to undermine the goals of the Paris Agreement by pushing for more fossil fuel deals at the expense of people and the continent.  Beyond voicing collective demands on an agreement for a dedicated finance facility for Loss and Damage under the UNFCCC at COP27 and asking richer nations to deliver on their climate pledges for adaptation and mitigation, African delegations have used the conference to embrace the new scramble for oil and gas in the continent.

    International, pan-African and national civil society organisations and activists are dismayed at the threat of locking communities and economies in more oil and gas production for decades to come. African leaders’ actions fly in the face of warnings by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (http://bit.ly/3GkFYfr) that existing fossil fuel infrastructure was already sufficient to breach the 1.5c limit and by the International Energy Agency (IEA) (http://bit.ly/3X8UcWy) that no new oil and gas fields approved for development are compatible with the pathway to a 1.5c.

    For any meaningful outcome to be achieved in Egypt, delegates must listen to the people of Africa – not the fossil fuel sector, and collectively commit to a phase out of all fossil fuels and reflect this commitment in the cover decision, as well as agree to the establishment of a Loss and Damage Finance Facility.

    In advance of the official close of the climate negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, African activists spoke put at a press conference pledging their concerted resistance to further fossil fuel expansion on the continent:

    Barbra Kangwana, Safe Lamu and Climate activist from Kenya

    “The Kenyan government proposed a coal plant at Lamu, a UNESCO world heritage site, in the name of boosting the national electricity supply back in 2019. Trying to fathom the damage that would have happened to the small coastal town left us restless. The locals were given the false hope of getting jobs at the plant. The glaring truth is, you cannot claim to feed a population you are killing slowly. We raised our voices, lobbied, signed petitions, went to court, and eventually the people won. This is a clear case of failing systems – when systems fail, the people rise.”

    Patience NabukaluStop EACOP and Fridays for Future activist from Uganda

    “EACOP, the East African crude oil pipeline French-Chinese project is a clear example of colonial exploitation in Africa and across the global south, with 1444km running from Uganda to Tanzania – it would become the longest heated oil pipeline in the world, releasing 34 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year, substantially adding to the climate breakdown.”

    “EACOP is not going to develop our country: peoples’ land was taken, leaving many homeless and poor and critical ecosystems and biodiversity at risk of oil spills such as lake Victoria, rivers, National Parks, animals and birds, as well as aquatic life.”

    “We remain hopeful and vigilant as banks and insurers like Standard Bank, Deutsche Bank and Lloyds have withdrawn their support for EACOP. We will continue to resist until everyone involved abandons it completely. We resist for our people and their land and heritage.”

    Mbong Akiy, Head of Communication for Greenpeace Africa:

    “The fossil fuel industry has degraded our people, our lands, our oceans and our air. Enough is enough. No matter how many deals they sign, no matter how many bribes they pay, or how fancy the suits they wear: we shall wait for them in our communities, we will wait for them on the frontlines.

    We will not stop until we see a complete transition to clean, renewable energy that is guaranteed to take millions of Africans out of energy poverty. Our lands will not be a playground for greedy polluters who seek to make billions at our expense. In South Africa we have won against big oil, we sent Shell packing, and we will send them all packing again”

    Dean Bhekumuzi Bhebhe, campaign lead at Powershift Africa:

    “The new dash for gas is an elaborate excuse fueled by a dangerous capitalist-utopian dream that seeks to justify the continued use of fossil fuels in Africa. Fossil gas production does absolutely nothing in addressing the continent’s climate emergency and if adopted will stop Africa from leapfrogging towards a renewable and clean energy future. We pledge to continue pushing for The Africa We Want beyond COP27.”

    Kentebe Ebiaridor, Environmental Rights Campaigner and Niger Delta Activist:

    “Fossi gas must be left in the ground and climate funding should be used for public good through community owned and controlled, decentralised energy. We have seen the devastation that oil has caused to our people in the Niger Delta and we are glad that they are now winning in the courts to get reparations. The fossil fuel industry needs to understand that these communities will not stop. For every destruction they cause, they will pay.

    Bonaventure Bondo, DRC Coordinator Youth Movement for the Protection of the environment 

    “We expect concrete and urgent climate action from COP27. For our well being and the well-being of our planet, we demand the Congolese government end the sacrifice of our forests and peatlands for drilling oil”.

  • Government Endorses Elimination Of Problematic Plastics

    Government Endorses Elimination Of Problematic Plastics

    The Kenya Plastics Pact (KPP) has published a list of problematic and unnecessary plastic items to be eliminated in Kenya.

    This adds to the already existing government’s plastic bag ban that came into force in 2017 and the ban on selected single-use plastic items in protected areas from June 2020.

    The priority list supports a collective plan to meet the target of phasing out problematic and unnecessary plastic items by 2030 and has been endorsed by the Government through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and 39 Kenya Plastics Pact business members and supporters.

    The priority list is disaggregated into plastic packaging items, non-packaging plastic items and additives.

    The plastic packaging items listed include all polystyrene (PS) packaging, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) rigid packaging (including bottles), Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), plastic packaging for fast foods, Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) in rigid packaging, secondary plastic cling film on takeaway packaging.

    Others include consumer plastic multi-wrap around cans, tins, bottles, and cartons for multi-sales, PETG and PVC shrink sleeves on PET bottles, while items under non-packaging plastic are disposable plastic cutlery, disposable plastic plates and bowls, plastic straws, plastic stirrers, and plastic cotton bud sticks. Those under the plastic additives category are Oxo-degradable plastics products.

    The plastic items under the current ban in protected areas have been included, since they are problematic (have no value for collection as they are limited, cannot be recycled or are contaminated for recycling, thus end up in the environment) and unnecessary and there are alternatives already available, an indication that there could be a total ban in the near future.

    “During the 2nd Oceans Conference in Lisbon in June 2022, Kenya announced its intention to join the Global Commitment on Plastics that is spearheaded by UNEP and the Ellen McArthur Foundation.

    As an initial step, the country is expected to declare its plastics reduction targets and the government will work closely with the Kenya Plastics Pact to propose realistic targets,” said the Environment and Forestry PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo

    In a speech read on his behalf by the Director of Environmental Education and Awareness at the Ministry Dr. Ayub Macharia, the PS appealed to the producers trading with plastic items to take necessary action.

    “This is indeed an important step towards sound management and use of plastics in Kenya. I commend all members and supporters for being proactive and grabbing this opportunity for the betterment of Kenya,” he added.

    Plastic pollution is now a global crisis that demands a systems approach to combat it. Materials production and disposal, including plastics, remain a complex challenge that our generation is confronted with. It is just one part of the triple challenge of – climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution – which are existential threats to our survival as humans on our shared planet.

    The world currently produces 400 million tonnes of plastics per year, while only less than 10% is recycled. It is estimated that if the status quo is maintained, by 2050 we will have more plastic in oceans than fish. Marine organisms such as turtles, fish and seabirds, are ingesting plastic with tragic results.

    Microplastics are also building up along the food chain and this is likely to have adverse effects on humanity and biodiversity.

    According to the Kenya Plastics Pact Program Manager Ebenezer Amadi, “Phasing out problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging is essential to shift our economy and community to more durable, reusable, and recyclable packaging. By tackling these problematic items, we will also reduce packaging consumption and waste, improve the economics of recycling, increase employment, lift recycling rates and help boost recycled content in packaging.”

    Furthermore, the Kenya Plastics Pact (KPP) supports the operationalization of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes under which plastics are subject. Once enacted, EPR will eliminate laggards towards the transition to a circular economy that has proven potential to activate new business models and generate job opportunities in waste management.

    On his part Macharia said, “We are excited that this initiative integrated the new developments in waste management to arrive at the four targets to be achieved by 2030, whose targets is to eliminate unnecessary or problematic single-use plastic packaging items through redesign, innovation, and reuse delivery models.”

    He added that the initiative also aims to ensure that 100% of plastic packaging is reusable or recyclable and 40 % of plastic packaging is effectively recycled.

    “The Ministry will continue to work closely with KPP to ensure progress towards a Kenya free of plastics pollution. To achieve this, we need more private sector stakeholders to join the initiative as they would benefit from scientific benchmarking to progress towards sustainable development,” emphasized Macharia.

    His sentiments were echoed by WWF-Kenya CEO Mohamed Awer who noted that the Keya Plastics Pact is an important strategy that must be pursued in parallel with other strategies such as the EPR and other legally binding and voluntary schemes to achieve a truly circular economy for plastics.

    “To ultimately achieve the reality of No Plastic in Nature, we will need all hands on deck starting with companies, policymakers, cities’ officials and the public to do their part to grow sustainable, accessible, and inclusive circular economy systems. We need to appreciate the unique challenges within the Kenya context and apply locally-led solutions to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Kenya,” he stressed.

  • Taking an Honest Look at Africa’s Renewables Capacity

    Taking an Honest Look at Africa’s Renewables Capacity

    Vilifying fossil fuels seems to come easily to many people these days. That includes UN Secretary General António Guterres, who recently associated them with war, pollution, and climate catastrophe.

    The only true path toward peace in the 21st century, he said, is an accelerated renewables-based energy transition, and African gas exploration be damned in the process. In fact, he claimed that exploring for gas and oil anywhere in the world is “delusional.”

    That’s pretty strong language from a man whose native Portugal produces 4.34 metric tons of CO2 emissions per capita  more than twice that of Brazil, which has 20 times more people, and more than five times the per capita total of the entire continent of Africa.

    Don’t get me wrong: the African Energy Chamber absolutely supports renewables. To meet the climate targets set out in the Paris agreement Africa must radically change its energy landscape, and that means increasing our renewables capacity.

    But when Guterres and others call for an immediate or even rapid energy transition, they are forgetting that a one-size-fits-all solution isn’t possible. As we point out in our recently released report, “The State of African Energy: 2023 Outlook,” many factors determine the pace of energy transition in each individual country: its current dependence on fossil fuels, its existing industrial productivity, its future technology choices, the depth and diversity of its domestic supply chains and, of course, its current renewables generation capacity.

    In that regard, Africa is a small fish in a big pond. Asia, Europe, and the United States all have considerably more investment in renewables than we do, whether we’re talking about solar PV or onshore wind power. In fact, as our 2023 Outlook notes, Asia, Europe, and the United States are the top three producers of solar and wind power, with about 90% of total overall volumes. By contrast, Africa’s volumes are a mere 1% – 2% of the total.

    Does that mean we have a long way to go? It does, and parity with Asia, Europe, or the U.S. isn’t something anyone can reasonably expect. Their head start is just too significant and asking us to catch up anytime soon is, dare we say, delusional.

    But it’s not impossible for Africa to build on its modest achievements. In fact, while our capacity to produce renewables is currently in the moderate range, our 2023 Outlook expects it to expand, spread across the continent, and also venture into hydrogen. Projections are that by the end of the decade, Africa’s renewables capacity will be 150GW. That’s five times what it is right now — which looks like progress by any measure.

    Where We Are Now

    To understand where we’re headed and how we’ll get there we have to recognize where we are. The 2023 Outlook forecasts that by year-end 2022, Africa’s solar PV capacity should be about 12.6GW (or 2% of global volume. Onshore wind capacity will be at 10GW (1% of global volume), and hydrogen at sub-0.5GW (<0.5% of global volume).

    Next year, though, the numbers start looking considerably rosier. Total capacity is expected to increase to 80GW in 2023, with solar PV and onshore wind projects mainly in Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, Algeria, and Ethiopia driving 80% of the total. Solar PV and onshore wind capacities are expected to gradually increase going into the next decade and considerable hydrogen capacity is expected to kick off by 2025  2026 with projects in South Africa, Egypt, Mauritania, Morocco, and Namibia.

    Of course, when you’re starting at 1% or 2%, even a five-time growth in renewables capacity is a small contribution to the world’s total in real numbers, especially when everyone else’s portion is growing, too. Some might even say it’s insignificant. However, any type of growth reflects Africa’s willingness to do the heavy lifting, to adopt “modern” forms of energy even though oil revenues fund many national budgets and access to reliable electricity is shrinking rather than increasing. It also indicates confidence in the continent’s ability to attract investment to its renewables sector. That’s an area that has faced a number of challenges in recent years.

    Investments Have Fallen Short

    Among the factors that have historically constrained the African renewables energy segment is the absence of robust regulatory and legal frameworks; without them, investment in renewables has been more expensive than it could be. But not all of the problems are internal: although public financing for hydrocarbon projects outpaces that for clean energy by four to one, Africa has received only 2% of global public renewable energy investments in the last two decades. (And the world wonders why we’re behind.)

    China, which has long backed traditional energy infrastructure but is moving to finance clean and renewable energy technologies, is likely to increase its presence in the market, especially as it seeks new solar projects, an area where they lead the world. Between 2008 and 2020, 20% of Chinese policy bank energy financing went to Africa, in the form of loans for fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and to a much more limited extent renewables like hydropower, geothermal, solar, and wind projects.

    As for the European Union, in 2020 the EU allocated only €82 million for renewables projects in Africa through the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD).

    European investment is expected to grow even more now but not necessarily where we might have seen it even a year ago: Despite clamoring for a global carbon-neutral energy future, the EU may be targeting African natural gas as it seeks new solutions to meet its energy demands in light of the war in Ukraine. Yes, natural gas is a fossil fuel, but the EU has rightfully cloaked it in green: earlier this year, the EU decreed that natural gas is a clean transitional fuel and investments in it are to be considered equivalent to investments in solar, wind energy, and the like.

    That can easily be read as a sign that they view African gas as sustainable, at least for the sake of their collective conscience. The EU is also looking to Africa as a source of hydrogen, which the EU needs if it is to decarbonize its industrial base. Europe lacks the space and sunshine to produce enough green hydrogen from renewable energy, but Africa has both of those elements in abundance.

    What We Need Now

    The course of the African energy transition received a major boost from The World Bank earlier this month when the group approved South Africa’s request for a $497 million project to decommission and repurpose the Komati coal-fired power plant using renewables and batteries. World Bank said this is a demonstration project that can serve as a reference on how to transition fossil-fuel assets for future projects in South Africa and around the world.

    A portion of project financing will be devoted to creating economic opportunities for local communities, which is expected to benefit approximately 15,000 people.

    There’s no understating how meaningful this is still, public financing isn’t the only answer to increasing renewables capacity in Africa. It might not even be the best answer.

    As the Atlantic Council said, Africa possesses an abundance of opportunities to tap into renewable energy, a dynamic demography, and vibrant economic prospects. What it needs are significant private-sector investments.

    The 2023 Outlook notes the entry of private renewable energy investors like CWP Global into the African market. Right now, solar power producer Scatec, renewable energy players including Masdar and Hassan Allam, and the renewable energy-focused wings of E&P players like TotalEren, are working with various governments to bring renewable developments to the continent.

    The Mauritius-based Africa Renewable Energy Fund (AREF) is actively investing in small hydro, wind, geothermal, solar, stranded gas, and biomass projects across Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa).

    The fact that green power is in Africa’s future is not up for debate. The potential is high and because renewables facilities are by nature more decentralized than other types of power plants, they may hold the key to getting people connected to the grid more easily.

    But as “The State of African Energy: 2023 Outlook (https://bit.ly/3hqBKbL) suggests, change can’t happen overnight. Africa can’t shut down the economic engine of fossil fuels without revving up its renewables first. That will take time, support, and money  and the ability to put our own needs and our own people first.

  • Is Nairobi City Friendly to Persons with disabilities?

    Is Nairobi City Friendly to Persons with disabilities?

    The Group Holding the Inclusive report during the launch
    The Group Holding the Inclusive report during the launch

    A new report looking into the Built Environment in Nairobi is inclusive for persons with disabilities was launched.

    The report found that Nairobi is experiencing rapid growth and investment infrastructure which offers great potential to embed inclusion.

    The city has complex urban development challenges with roads and transportation commonly cited as major
    challenges.

    The report titled: Case Study Report on Inclusive Design and Accessibility of the Built Environment was made possible through data collection using various techniques including Face to face interviews, workshops, and photo diaries.

    The research was conducted under the UK Aid Funded AT2030 program and was delivered by three partners: Global Disability Innovation Hub, Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa, and Kounkuey Design Initiative.

    Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) is a world-leading research and practice center driving disability innovation for a fairer world. Operational in 41 countries, with more than 70 partners, GDI Hub has reached more than 28 million people since launching in 2016.

    Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA) is a charitable Trust based in Nairobi, Kenya. KBTA provides access to digital Braille literacy &amp; life skills to children and young adults with visual impairment and deaf-blindness.

    KBTA serves over 3,000 learners across 200 schools in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda have been working with children and young adults with visual impairments in Africa for over a decade.

    Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) is a non-profit design and community development organization. KDI partners with under-resourced communities to advance equity and activate the unrealized potential in neighborhoods and cities. KDI works with residents to transform unsafe and under-used sites into productive public spaces.

    Speaking during the launch of Chief Executive Officer, KILIMANJARO BLIND TRUST AFRICA, Ms. Suparna Biswas stated that the research encountered disconnection between the policy. ”During the data collection process we noticed that there is a disconnect between the policy and the actual footing within Nairobi and a lot of advocacy is required to change things,” Ms. Suparna Biswas said.

    The study was conducted between July 2021 and December 2021 and found key areas presenting barriers to accessibility including Transport and Roads, Housing and Infrastructure, Recreation and Culture, and Daily Activities and Services.

    During the launch of the Inclusive Infrastructure report, which looks at the challenges and issues surrounding access and inclusion in the city of Nairobi. The report puts forward recommendations for key urban stakeholders. Persons with disabilities face many challenges, especially in a building that is not designed to include them.

    Accessing the built environment can be difficult and this new report is recommending a
    comprehensive approach to inclusion as McKinnon states. “This report provides a series of recommendations for new buildings and retrofitting existing buildings and infrastructure, including transport. Looking forward I think the government has some of the tools that it needs, it has the political will and a vision that we can follow.” McKinnon observed.

    UK Aid funding is enabling collaboration with the Kenya government through the AT2030 program to create inclusive environments for persons with disabilities. “UK Aid funding is supporting the Kenyan Govt through the AT2030 program, we are working in partnership. So I hope the report will have a really good impact on change.” McKinnon affirmed.

    Mikaela Patrick is a researcher and designer at GDI Hub with a background in health, innovation, and architecture and leads the research on the AT2030 Inclusive Infrastructure sub-program and this report.
    Mikaela said that the report has important recommendations for persons with disabilities and how to create a more inclusive city. “Today we’ve heard from the main findings of the study, which is documenting the real-life experiences of persons with disabilities living in Nairobi and documenting what it is that they want to see a change in the city. Some of the most important topics we covered included things like housing, transport, and roads. These are the areas where persons with disabilities want us to work to
    make the city more inclusive.” Ms. Mikaela Patrick stated.

    The AT2030 Inclusive Infrastructure project is a research program. Persons with disabilities living in Nairobi are actively involved in research activities and co-creators of the research. The program encourages collaborations with local NGOs and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to support employment opportunities for local people and local capacity-building for research. As Mikaela stated: “We value and appreciate our partner’s and participants’ time in the research. So if someone has
    engaged in the research, they will have their travel expenses reimbursed, they will receive lunch and we will ensure the activities are accessible for all participants however this is not a funding program” Mikaela Patrick says.

    Mikaela explained that under other aspects of the AT2030 program there have been funding and support opportunities, primarily for assistive technology entrepreneurs and investors. “There are other parts of the program that are providing funding for assistive technology innovations to scale, you can learn more about this by looking up the AT Impact Fund.”

    Mikaela Patrick added that the recommendations in the recently launched report are valuable for various stakeholders including government and industry. Government stakeholders can use their leadership to shape policies and programs that can influence other stakeholders to make the city more inclusive for persons with disabilities. “My first suggestion would be to look at the report and the detailed guides that are contained within that, and for the government, I would say they have a real opportunity to lead by example. They are already demonstrating leadership, now it’s time to support good implementation” Mikaela Patrick says.

    She finally concludes by asking the government to champion the report to create an accessible city. “So from the government stakeholders we’ve spoken to we’ve learned there is a desire to champion inclusion and to make the city more accessible for persons with disabilities. There is momentum here around inclusive leadership that can be built on to encourage the implementation of good inclusive urban development.” Ms. Mikaela Patrick said.

    During the launch, the speakers spoke about building a picture of the current state of inclusive design and accessibility of the built environment, outlining current challenges and areas of opportunity. Speakers and research partners included decision-makers, local stakeholders and communities, international funders, and global experts.

    The report on Nairobi forms part of a series of case studies that will set out the potential for the inclusive mode to address existing barriers to inclusion for persons with disabilities on a global scale.

    Persons with disabilities in Nairobi can benefit from a more inclusive urban life and the importance of an inclusive built environment is clear.

    Find out more about the case study here: https://at2030.org/case-study-nairobi/