MR. CEILING TECHNOLOGY FIRM TARGET LOCAL CONSTRUCTION SECTOR IN THE UPCOMING BUILDEXPO

Nairobi, Kenya 3rd June, 2024

Mr. Ceiling, an innovative ceiling technology firm, is set to showcase its state-of-the-art stretch ceiling technology at the highly anticipated 25th BUILDEXPO KENYA. Scheduled to take place from June 5th to 7th, this event will bring together leading exhibitors from the building and construction industry, highlighting the latest advancements and products shaping the future of construction in the region.

Mr. Ceiling’s stretch ceiling technology, a revolutionary alternative to traditional gypsum ceilings, promises significant cost savings and superior performance. This European-engineered solution, new to Sub-Saharan Africa, has already been extensively utilized in both Europe and Asia, earning a reputation for its durability and aesthetic appeal.

“Stretch ceilings offer a futuristic revolution in interior design and construction,” said Tigran Metaks, MD of Mr. Ceiling. “Unlike conventional ceilings, our technology is not only more affordable but also incredibly resilient. For instance, during the rainy season, any leaks can be easily managed by draining the water and re-sealing the ceiling, restoring it to its original state.”

The firm is targeting a diverse audience that includes homeowners, contractors, architects, and developers, aiming to introduce them to the benefits of this cutting-edge technology. The stretch ceilings are designed to provide a sleek, modern finish while being practical and easy to maintain, making them an ideal choice for various construction projects.

Kenya’s real estate sector is witnessing a significant boom, with an annual growth rate of approximately 5.3% as of 2023. This growth is driven by increased urbanization, a rising middle class, and substantial investments in infrastructure and housing. The demand for innovative and cost-effective construction solutions is higher than ever, positioning Mr. Ceiling’s stretch ceiling technology as a timely and valuable addition to the market.

BUILDEXPO KENYA is expected to draw a wide range of exhibitors specializing in building construction, creating a vibrant platform for industry professionals to network, exchange ideas, and explore new products. Mr. Ceiling’s participation underscores its commitment to bringing advanced European technologies to the local market, enhancing the quality and efficiency of construction practices in Kenya.

Kenya Breaks Ground on World’s First Green Garment Factory Made from Recycled Containers

Clive Ayuko

May 20, 2024, Athi River, Kenya

The world’s first green industrial garment factory, constructed from upcycled containers, has begun construction in Athi River EPZ. This pioneering project, backed by a $530,000 investment from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and a $1.3 million loan from Trade Catalyst Africa (TCA), represents a significant step forward in sustainable manufacturing.

Spanning 5,000 square meters, the new green textile center is designed to be a model of sustainability, utilizing solar energy and rainwater harvesting systems. Expected to be completed by December 2024, the factory aims to save an estimated 18 tons of CO2 annually and conserve 1,000 cubic meters of water each year, demonstrating the potential for eco-friendly industrial practices.

The project is a collaboration with Modular Real Estate EPZ Limited (MODULAR), a subsidiary of Container Technology Limited (CONTECH). Duncan Onyango, CEO of Trade Catalyst Africa, emphasized the transformative impact of this initiative: “This investment symbolizes our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable industrial development. By pioneering this unique industrial space, we are setting a new standard for the garment industry and positioning Kenya and Africa as leaders in sustainable manufacturing.”

The global textiles market, valued at approximately $1.5 trillion in 2020, is poised for significant growth. This initiative will place Kenya at the forefront of this expansion, promoting eco-friendly manufacturing practices and enhancing the country’s competitiveness. It is expected to create numerous jobs, particularly for women, boosting Kenya’s export potential and driving economic growth.

Naeem Pasta, CEO of Modular Real Estate EPZ, highlighted the innovative nature of the project: “This project demonstrates that innovative thinking and environmental responsibility can coexist, leading to economic growth and a healthier planet. We are proud to be part of this pioneering effort.”

Significance for Kenya

The green garment and textile center represents a crucial advancement for Kenya’s industrial sector, aligning with the country’s vision of becoming a newly industrialized, middle-income nation. By adopting sustainable practices, Kenya aims to enhance its competitiveness in the global market. The new facility will provide training opportunities and create jobs, particularly benefiting women, thereby empowering local communities and reducing poverty. By setting a precedent for green industrial practices, Kenya can serve as a model for other nations pursuing sustainable development.

TradeMark Africa and Foundation for Civil Society Launch a TZS 2.3Billion Project to Promote Sustainable and Inclusive Trade in Tanzania

Dar Es Salaam Tanzania, 17 May 2024:

The Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) and TradeMark Africa have today sealed a grant agreement to launch a project dubbed Private Sector and CSOs for Inclusive and Greening Trade that will drive sustainable economic growth and inclusive trade practices, addressing the significant systemic challenges in Tanzania’s trade sector.

Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Ireland, and Norway, the TZS 2.3billion ($ 900,000), the project seeks to integrate the strengths of private sectors and civil society organisations to promote green economic growth.


Many women in Tanzania, remain in the informal trading sector facing top barriers such as limited access to finance, and inadequate training in trade-related skills. This initiative aims to dismantle these barriers, creating a trading environment that is inclusive and fosters prosperity for all.



The project, which starts immediately, is designed to leverage the unique strengths of the private sector alongside civil society organisations to enhance trade practices that are both inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Over the next 18 months, FCS will implement strategic interventions across multiple trade sectors, focusing on reducing environmental impact and promoting inclusivity in economic benefits.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, TMA Tanzania Country Director Mr. Elibariki Shammy said, “This project is central to our strategic objectives to stimulate trade growth while ensuring that it’s sustainable and inclusive. We believe that through strategic collaborations like this, we can make a significant impact on Tanzania’s trade landscape. Empowering women is not just a moral imperative but a developmental one. Integrating women into trade boosts economic diversity and lifts entire communities. Through this partnership, we aim to develop a trade ecosystem that is inclusive and robust enough to withstand the pressures of global trade demands.”

FCS Executive Director Mr Justice Rutenge expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential. ” Consumer protection is crucial in today’s global market. Our collaboration with TMA is a monumental step towards establishing fair and green trade practices in Tanzania. We are dedicated to ensuring that the benefits of trade expansion are shared by all, particularly the most vulnerable sectors of our society,” he said.

Mr Rutenge also disclosed that FCS would leverage the unique roles of CSOs and the private sector to address pressing issues of environmental degradation and social inequality.

The initiative also aims to create a trade environment that is inclusive and sustainable by increasing trade opportunities for marginalised groups, collaborating with civil society organisations to address their needs, promoting environmentally friendly trade practices, and enhancing consumer protection. TMA will support marginalised communities through smart-agriculture practices and market readiness programmes, contributing to their sustainable trade growth. Moreover, by advocating for sustainable trade practices, the project seeks to improve trade resilience to climate change, thereby contributing to the long-term viability of Tanzania’s economy and environmental sustainability.

The project also includes the development of innovative digital technologies such as e-learning platforms for smart-agriculture practices, enhancing market readiness, and the global competitiveness of Tanzanian products.

This collaboration represents a model of how public-private partnerships can effectively address systemic challenges in emerging markets, creating pathways for more inclusive and sustainable trade practices.

Tech Skills Key to Fighting Climate Change, Experts Say

Barcelona, May 17, 2024

Experts emphasize that technology and technical skills are crucial in addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering a sustainable future.

Friedrich Huebler, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC’s International Center for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, stated that tackling climate change necessitates a workforce equipped with both green and digital skills.

“We must find solutions to the global climate crisis, many of which will rely on technology. Therefore, it’s essential to develop a workforce proficient in green skills and digital literacy to create solutions that make our economies and societies greener. This involves not only reducing emissions but also leveraging innovation to transform energy systems, transportation networks, and industries,” Huebler remarked.

Huebler made these comments at the Huawei Green Development Summit during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2024.

Soledad Patiño, Coordinator of the UNESCO Skills Academy, highlighted the importance of partnerships with private sector entities such as Huawei Technologies in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

“The private sector can provide the expertise and knowledge of rapidly changing labor markets, which is crucial for helping individuals transition from education to employment,” Patiño stated.

The experts also highlighted advancements in energy storage, smart grid systems, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) as essential

Net-zero target is within reach if pursued deliberately

Opinion Editorial

By Marius van der Ham

As of 2022, air travel carbon emissions reached an estimated 800 Mt or 2% of the global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. And while this was approximately 80% of the pre-pandemic levels, increasing demand for aviation services – projected to grow at between 2% and 5% by 2050 – will ultimately drive up the quantity of carbon emissions generated by the airline industry.

However, this adverse trajectory can be averted. By ramping up innovative aircraft technologies, “streamlining” flight operations and increasing the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), airlines can reduce the generation of carbon emissions by the quantities required to achieve Net Zero earlier than the 2050 target.

At Air France, we have taken the prerogative to accelerate our impact in this regard. For instance, we are continually upgrading our fleets to modern technologies, which generate much lower emissions. As of 2025, we will have added 38 Airbus A350s to our long-haul fleet and 60 Airbus A220s on our short and medium-haul fleet, replacing the A318 and A319 fleets. The new-generation aircraft produce 20% to 25% less carbon emissions, and their noise footprint has been reduced by a significant 40%. They also consume significantly lesser fuel. The aircraft on our fleet currently consume an average of 3.3 litres per passenger/100km.  In comparison, the A350 consumes nearly 25% less at 2.5 litres per passenger/100km. This is as the A220 expends 2.6 litres per passenger/100km, thanks to the incorporation of close to 40% lighter materials (lithium aluminium and composite materials) in its construction.

Yet flight renewal is only part of our multi-pronged strategy to reduce the carbon footprint of our airline. We are also pioneering the transition to SAFs, which will be the main lever for decarbonising air transport in coming years. Produced from non-fossil fuel sources, the SAFs selected by Air France reduce carbon emissions by at least 75% over the entire life cycle, and can be used today without any modification to aircraft and flight operations. As part of the supportive ecosystem, we have engaged our customers to support the accelerated adoption of SAFs through a subscription option that allows them to voluntarily contribute during ticketing a fee to facilitate the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) in our flights, including cargo hauls. Customers are free to choose their level of investment, with a guarantee that their contribution will be exclusively used to purchase SAFs, cleaner alternatives to conventional jet fuel.

Meanwhile, we also run arrangements that favor low-carbon alternatives on shorter journeys, and more energy-efficient flights on longer journeys, helping our customers to minimise the overall carbon footprint of their trips. For example, in France, we have over the last 25 years offered a service that allows our customers to combine train and air travel in the same reservation, with guaranteed connections. This ‘intermodiality’ option is popular with customers travelling to and from Paris-Charles de Gaulle and the Paris-Orly airports, with more than 160,000 travellers using it every year.

Finally, from an operational standpoint, we are implementing eco-piloting techniques that significantly reduce aircraft fuel consumption. For instance, our pilots are trained to use single-engine taxiing, saving up to 700kg of fuel per departure and arrival for the Airbus A350. They also leverage AI-powered tools to optimize flight trajectories for fuel efficiency. Moreover, pilots can use bridge electricity instead of the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit (APU) before engine start-up, further reducing fuel usage.

All the aforementioned efforts align with Air France’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility through prudent energy management and deliberate emissions reduction. By implementing innovative aircraft technologies, including the adoption of fuel-efficient aircraft, and investing in alternative fuels, as well as business practices that are considerate of our energy usage and waste production, Air France continues to set a benchmark for the aviation industry. 

The writer is the General Manager for East, Southern, Nigeria, and Ghana at Air France-KLM.

USE DATA TO PROTECT, CONSERVE AND GROW BIODIVERSITY NUMBERS AFRICA URGED

By Clive Ayuko

Nairobi, Kenya 22nd March 2024

As the world continues to grapple with the negative effects of climate change occassioned to rises in global temperatures, the need to conserve biodiversity habits to ensure rise in biodiversity numbers has taken centre stage in the quest geared at keeping rising global temperatures rises at bay.

According to a 2022 report by the World Wildlife Fund christened the living  Planet Report, wildlife populations have declined by an average of 69% since the years 1970. An alarming statistic considering the importance derived from having such varied specie numbers. Consider for instance the importance of bees in ensuring cross pollination among plants and ensuring survival various plants species, or the importance of the now extinct dodo in ensuring the germination of certain tree species or the importance of marine environments fish and marine life in ensuring survival of the coral reefs which absorb carbon dioxide from the environment, the need to protect biodiversity is of utmost importance for the survival of humanity.
One way of ensuring  such conservation has been through initiatives involving management of conserved and protected areas through use of geospatial data.

Protected areas are managed for biodiversity conservation by providing a habitat and protection from hunting for threatened and endangered species. And may take various forms to include through social norms as sacred sites, military protected area or legally sanctioned protected area under international conventions or local laws.

It is in line with this goal that the Regional Centre for Mapping Resources for Development in Conjunction with the Biopama Regional Resource Hub For Eastern and South Africa in Conjunction with the implementing partners to include the European Union, European Commission and the IUCN organized a 5 day training workshop from 18th March to 22 March 2024  dubbed the Biopama Regional Resource Hub on Protected and Conserved Areas Data workshop at the Regional Centre for Mapping Resources for Development RCMRD in Kasarani Nairobi to train various stakeholders on the use of data in the management of protected and conserved areas
Speaking during the closing ceremony Cabinet Secretary heading the Ministry of Environment Ms Soipan Tuya
adding her voice in raising concern said;”Our protected areas, including forests and biodiversity, are currently under threat due to a lack of quality data to inform decisions. She continued to add;  “The center will provide valuable insights by providing vital mapped data on natural resources to informed policy decisions and climate-responsive actions.”

World Vision Initiative Regreening Africa Honored as UN World Restoration Flagship, Secures UN Support for Large-Scale Restoration

Nairobi, Kenya – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have named Regreening Africa Initiative among other six initiatives as United Nations World Restoration Flagships, making the initiative eligible for technical and financial support from the UN. The announcement comes ahead of the 6th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), the world’s highest-level decision-making body for matters related to the environment, taking place from February 26^th, 2024 – March 1^st, 2024. 

The World Restoration Flagship awards are part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration – led by UNEP and FAO – which aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. The awards track notable initiatives that support global commitments to restore one billion hectares.

Regreening Africa is lauded as one of the “world’s most successful examples of healing the planet” in large-scale and long-term models of ecosystem restoration, embodying the 10 Restoration Principles of the UN Decade. In Kenya, the Regreening Africa initiative was implemented between 2017 and 2023, engaging with more than 50,000 households (10,000 smallholders directly and another 40,000 through leveraging partner projects) and bringing over 150,000 hectares under restoration using the revolutionary technique to tackle both poverty and climate change, Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR).

FMNR is a low-cost approach that is up to 36 times cheaper than planting a tree and can be replicated across different communities, for as little as 50 USD per hectare. It is a quick and easy process for degraded land restoration which involves regenerating trees from stumps that are still alive or managing new trees growing from wild seedlings through pruning.

World Vision Kenya National Director Gilbert Kamanga said, “We gratefully embrace this esteemed recognition from the United Nations. Standing on the shoulders of the children and communities we serve; we pledge unwavering dedication to the relentless battle against climate change – a crisis of unparalleled magnitude in our era. Our resolve is firm: No effort shall be spared to safeguard Mother Nature for the successors of tomorrow.”

World Vision Kenya and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) implemented the Regreening Africa initiative, in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, and a diverse range of stakeholders in Lambwe Valley in Homa Bay County and Nyatike in Migori County to catalyse land restoration, helping communities in Homa Bay and Migori Counties to conserve their environment through soil and water conservation and reverse land degradation by encouraging smallholder farmers to grow trees in their farms and revive existing ones. The trees help to increase crop yields and boost livestock production. Consequently, they help cushion communities from the adverse effects of climate change such as droughts and floods. The approach was based on proven agroforestry techniques that were adapted to suit the needs of farmers under varying socio-ecological contexts.

The European Union granted 18 million Euros for the first phase of Regreening Africa which was carried out from September 2017 to March 2023 across eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa. World Vision led the implementation of Regreening Africa in Kenya, Rwanda, Somaliland, Senegal, Ghana, and Niger and supported in Ethiopia and Mali.

Looking forward, Regreening Africa aims to bring five million hectares under restoration by 2030, in collaboration with local communities across Kenya, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Silence is violence: Faith communities urged to strongly condemn fossil fuel extraction as GreenFaith launches Africa office

Nairobi, Kenya 30th January 2024

Africa has been called upon to speak in the strongest terms possible against fossil fuels and extractive industry because of the evident human rights violations, family displacements, cultural interference, and the impacts on the environment associated with the said industries.

Speaking during the launch of the GreenFaith-Africa office in Nairobi, Meryne Warah, the GreenFaith Global Director for Advocacy, drew the attention of the multi-faith gathering at the All African Council of Churches (AACC) premises in Nairobi to the destruction the fossil fuels industry had caused people in Africa.

“We have enough renewable natural capital that can be harnessed to provide energy in Africa while at the same time living harmoniously with biodiversity,” said Ms Warah, adding that the faith communities were best placed to speak truth to powers that make decisions allowing foreign companies to destroy Africa’s beauty, environment and biodiversity through the oil and extractive industry.

The meeting was attended by representatives of indigenous communities, women and youth from several parts of Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, Congo, Tanzania, Uganda and the DRC. There were also faith leaders from the Muslim, Hindu, Christian, and other communities.

Several teams presented videos showing the effects of fossil fuels in their communities. Tanzania and Uganda shared videos of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) affected persons, many complaining about poor compensation for land taken and disrespect for their kin’s graves during displacement, among other ills. Nigeria had evidence of oil spills and gas flaring in Port Harcourt, in the Niger Delta, which has polluted rivers and the soil, killing the farming and fishing communities’ sources of livelihood, and increasing cases of respiratory and other diseases.

Reacting to the videos, Rev. Dr Gibson Lesmore, the Director of Programs at the AACC, said: “We, as human beings, have a moral duty to preserve the embodiment of God in humanity, and that is by protecting our habitats.”

He rebuked efforts to sustain fossil fuels proliferation by playing with the language, especially at the global climate talks. “They are now talking of phase-down when we need a phase-out. The oil exploration in Africa is aided by insiders. We know the insiders, but we are not telling them the truth. Let us be united to speak truth to power around issues of climate change because these are matters of life and death. Silence is violence,” he said.

He called for more attention to the solutions different African and indigenous communities offered. “Listen to African indigenous knowledge and nature-based solutions, even in the face of development and technological advancement,” he said, adding that the global North’s efforts to dangle the carbon market when they had refused to honor the $100 billion climate fund pledge was pretentious. “Faith communities are our only hope. We must not politicize issues of climate change. Capitalism places its efforts on profits against human well-being. Matters of climate change are matters of life and death. No hypocrisy. No deceit. No lie,” he said.

GreenFaith Executive Director Rev. Fletcher Harper said: “Africa is on the frontline of the climate crisis. Global North corporations want to exploit the continent’s resources and addict Africa to fossil fuels. This is patently immoral. Our GreenFaith Africa team is campaigning for clean, safe, affordable, reliable energy for every African. We’re calling for millions of green jobs to lift people from poverty. We demand an immediate stop to new fossil fuel projects and loss and damage funds for those who have suffered permanent losses from climate change. Our faiths require nothing less.”

Hindu council of Kenya’s Sujarta Kotamraju urged participants to strengthen the link between spirituality and ecology. “Our differences in faiths must not enable destruction of mother earth, especially through fossil fuels extraction,” she said, adding that faith has a role to play in driving climate justice.

Elija Toirai, a representative of the indigenous community, said: “We must flow with nature in everything we do. The values we teach our children should encourage conservation. Indigenous people know climate change destroys their spaces. Certain cultural and ceremonial activities do not happen anymore, or their frequencies have reduced because climate change has messed up some of the sacred places where they used to happen”.

He said indigenous people bring historical and indigenous knowledge that helps deal with climate change, calling for more inclusion is solution finding. He thanked GreenFaith for strategically working with faith and indigenous communities as equal partners.

Ms Warah added: “When talking about Loss and Damage, it also means losing your identity. The indigenous communities have lost their identities. This is not something you can ever get back, even with the Loss and Damage fund”.

Sabina Chege, the Kenya Women of Faith Secretary, said women were disproportionately affected by climate change, and needed to be more economically empowered to offer solutions. “Women must be involved more in the fight for climate justice.”

Ezekiel Chibeze, the Executive Director of Strategic Youth Network for Development Executive Coordinator from Ghana, said youth have a role to play in climate education. “We are pushing advocacy and showing that young people have a solution to bring to the table. We are championing green ideas and jobs by turning organic waste into fuel for the stoves and also having young farmers in agroecology to deal with food security and enable the agriculture sector to employ more people. We have to do our job now. In the next 30 years, we will have a new crop of young people. We must nurture them now.”

Salim Bayani, a Muslim faith leader, said: “We were born with the responsibility of taking care of the environment. Nothing that is on this earth has not come through the Bible or the Quran, or other holy books”.

GreenFaith-Africa is now in 12 African countries. It brings together Christians, Muslims, those with traditional African beliefs, Hindus, and others for climate justice. It works with grassroots people of faith to stop new fossil fuel projects, and to call for universal access to clean energy and green jobs that can lift communities to a better future. Currently, GreenFaith is campaigning to stop the EACOP and has sustained momentum against any new oil and gas expansion or project.

AfriCatalyst calls for establishment of an African Methane Abatement Bond framework to finance methane action

Dakar, 19^th January – AfriCatalyst, a leading Dakar-based global development advisory group, has urged African leaders to develop a framework for issuing African Methane Abatement Bonds (AMAB). This urgent appeal accompanied the launch of AfriCatalyst’s groundbreaking report that sheds lights on the alarming surge in methane emissions across the continent and emphasizes the need for immediate global action to mobilize the resources needed to address this environmental crisis.

The report reveals that methane emissions in Africa have risen at an annual rate of 2 percent from 1990 to 2022, contributing a staggering 14 percent to the total global methane emissions. Notably, 19 African countries are responsible for 80 percent of the continent’s methane emissions, with Nigeria, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Egypt contributing half of the total. These emissions predominantly emanate from the agricultural sector (51%), energy production (35%), and waste management (14%).

While almost all African nations have outlined their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the lack of adequate financing impedes achievement of these goals. Only 2 percent of global climate financing was allocated towards methane abatement last year, and sub-Saharan Africa received a mere 6 percent of global methane financing.

In the report, AfriCatalyst has identified several avenues for boosting domestic and external financing for methane action in Africa. Its launch follows a high-level panel session held by AfriCatalyst in November, 2023, under the theme “Financing Methane Action in Africa.”

“Financing methane action faces a number of challenges. The first relates to the limited awareness on methane abatement in Africa and how to finance methane abatement efforts across the continent. There is strong evidence that if we do have ambitious methane abatement objectives in Africa, certainly we will be able to make the continent meet its commitments under the Paris Accord,” remarked Daouda Sembene, AfriCatalyst’s CEO, and co-author of the report.

According to AfriCatalyst, a collaborative effort by the 19 top African methane emitters could unlock additional funding by leveraging available financing from various partners, including European Union (EU) grants which could total nearly 6.4 billion Euros under the Neighborhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI). Such financial support could be complemented by technical assistance from reputable institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank.

Recognizing that additional financing alone will not suffice, AfriCatalyst is also calling for innovative solutions aligned with the continent’s realities and specific circumstances. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the required spending needs for low-income and middle-income countries amounts to $6.8 billion, while the continent needs $15-20 billion to reduce energy-related methane emissions by 75% by 2030. Innovative strategies, including increased domestic revenue mobilization, leveraging philanthropic funds, and recycling Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) through multilateral development banks like the African Development Bank (AfDB), could fill the gap.

“Africa is the least risky region to do investment – the default rate for financed projects is only 5.5%, the lowest in the world,” Abdoul Salam Bello, Executive Director for the Africa Group II, at the World Bank Group, observed during the webinar in November. “We need to change the narrative of risk by harnessing digital technologies, exploring concessional funding, and establishing a one-stop shop for all investing instruments.”

Dr. Al-Hamndou Dorsouma, Division Manager, Climate and Green Growth Development at African Development Bank Group, further added, “Last year (2022), the African Development Bank allocated 45% of its budget financing to climate action, and we are committed to meeting the Paris Agreement targets by 2025 through applying greenhouse gas accounting tools to estimate methane emissions reduction from each of our projects.”

In its report, AfriCatalyst envisions the issuance of African Methane Abatement Bonds (AMAB) as a pivotal step towards mobilizing innovative financing to support the formulation and implementation of methane abatement measures outlined in countries’ national plans.

The AMAB framework would also create a private investment vehicle to support African Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs in developing practices that contribute to methane emission reduction.

To Address Food Insecurity, Kenya Must Reform Food Systems and Land Use

By Assan Ngombe, Resilience Officer at AGRA

Despite the Kenyan economy showing resilience in the face of a recent series of shocks, food insecurity remains a major challenge. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, the country’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 7.5 percent in 2021, compared to a low 0.3 percent a year earlier, when the effects of the pandemic were at their severest. Even then, this level of success has eluded the country at the meal table, with 10 million Kenyans classified by the government as suffering from chronic food insecurity and poor nutrition. The performance is no better when Kenya is compared to other nations with the country ranked 90^th out of 125 countries on the Global Hunger Index of 2023, with its hunger level designated as “serious.”

While agriculture remains the dominant sector of the Kenyan economy, accounting for 22.4 percent of the GDP, according to 2021 data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Kenya has been unable to produce enough food to feed its growing population. Food production has been constrained by a number of factors including the low adoption of technologies by farmers, food loss and waste, low private sector investment, drought and other climate-related challenges.

The increasing gap between food production and population growth has resulted in the inevitability of imports, which have been increasing gradually, to fill the deficit. Between the years 2017 to 2021, food imported for household consumption rose 23.2 percent to reach a value of Sh228.4 billion, up from Sh185.4 billion. In a worrying trend, food now constitutes 17 percent of all imports into Kenya, having risen from 10 percent in the last decade, which translates, in real terms, into an increase in value from $1.2 billion to more than double that at $3 billion.

The inescapable corollary to this situation is that Kenya has become highly vulnerable to global food shocks, such as the logistical challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. How can Kenya engender a sustainable food system and future-proof its food security in an uncertain world, going forward?

A group of experts believes that Kenya must transform its food and land use systems in order to achieve the capacity to feed its people, in an inclusive, equitable and environmentally sustainable manner and ultimately reducing dependence on imports or worse still, aid from other countries. The group brings together 44 member organizations, with its secretariat hosted by AGRA, World Resources Institute (WRI) and GAIN (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition). Working collaboratively under the banner of the Food and Land Use (FOLU) Coalition, and with the input of the national and county governments, the group of experts, on World Soil Day (December 15, 2023) launched Kenya Food Systems and Land Use Action Plan 2024 – 2030.

A product of several engagements and validation, especially with county governments and regional economic blocs, the plan identifies five key ‘transition’ challenges which must be addressed for Kenya to attain an equitable food security and sustainable land use systems. These transition areas are 1) ensuring healthy diets; 2) promoting productive and regenerative agriculture systems; 3) protecting and restoring nature; 4) curbing food loss and waste and 5) youth and overall social inclusion.  The report also addresses cross-cutting issues such as harnessing digital technologies in addressing food and land use issues in the country.

The prescriptions for addressing the challenges faced by Kenya’s food and land use systems are based on the review of the legal, policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks and consultation with stakeholders, including officials of county governments as agriculture and the management of food systems is a devolved function.

With the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development as the proposed lead implementor with the support of other line ministries like Environment and Natural Resources, Health, Water and Irrigation and Lands, the plan identifies priorities that, if executed, could contribute to Kenya achieving sustainable food and land use systems.

For Kenya to transit to sustainable and healthy diets, for instance, the plan seeks the pursuit of a number of strategic objectives. These include the production, consumption, preservation and trade in diversified and nutrition-adequate diets, especially those that are plant-rich; focusing on the implementation of a coherent, conducive legal, regulatory, and institutional framework for seeds, animal breeds, and fish fingerlings production, multiplication, distribution, and access to markets; scaling up programs for the fortification or bio-fortification of widely consumed staple foods such as maize and promoting the utilisation and consumption of ‘forgotten’ indigenous foods. Still on health diets, the plan prioritizes the review and implementation of micronutrient, healthy diet guidelines and strategies and harmonization of inter-county taxes and other levies to enable easy movement of food within Kenya’s borders.

The completion and launch of Kenya’s food and use action plan is timely as it coincides with the endorsement of a new Declaration on strengthening food systems, building resilience to climate change, reducing global emissions, and contributing to the global fight against hunger, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at COP28. Kenya is one of over 130 countries, globally that has endorsed the declaration. The food and land use action plan will therefore serve as one of the key policy and programme instruments, that will contribute towards putting inti action the commitments made in signing the declaration.