Category: African Development

South African Coal Plant Closure Delayed Amid Energy Crisis

22May

By adminNo Comments

African Development, Environment, Infrastructure, News, Power, South Africa

South African Coal Plant Closure Delayed Amid Energy Crisis

South Africa's public power utility, Eskom, has announced a delay in the closure of several coal-fired power plants, citing the ongoing electricity crisis as the primary reason. The Eskom board has approved the continued operation of the Camden, Grootvlei, and Hendrina power stations until 2030, local media outlet Engineering News reported on Monday, May 20. Originally, these power stations were scheduled to be retired between 2023 and 2027. However, South Africa experienced one of its worst electricity crises last year, with daily power cuts lasting up to ten hours. These outages severely impacted the country’s economy, which is Africa's most developed. The decision to keep these plants operational is a direct response to the urgent need to stabilize the national grid. “The electri...

ADB Commits $2 Billion to Clean Cooking Access in Africa

16May

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Environment, Finance, Infrastructure, News, Safety

ADB Commits $2 Billion to Clean Cooking Access in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged a monumental $2 billion over the next decade towards enhancing access to clean cooking solutions in Africa. This commitment was announced during a landmark summit on Clean Cooking in Africa held in Paris, where the Bank's President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, emphasized the critical importance of safe cooking alternatives beyond just culinary needs, highlighting the profound impact on dignity. The significance of this commitment lies in its potential to save the lives of approximately 600,000 individuals annually, predominantly women and children. The AfDB plans to allocate 20% of its energy project financing towards promoting safe cooking alternatives, aiming to address the prevalent use of charcoal, wood, and biomass for cooking in Africa. ...

Nigeria to Become Africa’s Solar Panel and EV Battery Manufacturing Hub

11May

By adminNo Comments

African Development, Economy, Nigeria

Nigeria to Become Africa’s Solar Panel and EV Battery Manufacturing Hub

Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu, unveiled ambitious plans for the local production of solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) batteries, positioning the nation as a manufacturing powerhouse within Africa. The declaration, made during the inauguration of Nigeria's largest lithium processing plant in Lafia, Nasarawa State, marked a significant milestone in the country's quest for energy independence and economic growth. Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), underscored the importance of this development, citing it as a testament to Nigeria's attractiveness for foreign investment. "This inauguration signifies Nigeria's appeal for foreign investment and its commitment to becoming a key player in the renewable energy sector," Ngelale stated. Presi...

Opposition in Zimbabwe Demands Fresh Elections Amid Fraud Allegations

30Aug

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Corruption, Elections, News, Zimbabwe

Opposition in Zimbabwe Demands Fresh Elections Amid Fraud Allegations

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the opposition party in Zimbabwe, has raised serious allegations of fraud following last week's general election. The party is calling for fresh elections and the disbandment of the electoral commission, accusing the ruling party, Zanu-PF, of manipulating the results. Deputy CCC spokesperson, Ostallos Siziba, addressed the media, stating that his party intended to appeal to the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to exert pressure on the government to organize new elections. The CCC's leader, Nelson Chamisa, secured 44% of the vote, but he maintains that the election results are inaccurate and tainted by manipulation. While Siziba did not directly reveal whether the CCC would pursue legal action to challenge th...

Army Officers Announce Coup in Gabon, Overturn Election Results

30Aug

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Armed Forces, Breaking News, Elections, Gabon, News, Security

Army Officers Announce Coup in Gabon, Overturn Election Results

A group of army officers in Gabon has declared a coup, claiming to have taken power and annulling the results of the recent presidential election. The military takeover was announced on national television by twelve soldiers who appeared early on Wednesday morning. The officers disclosed that the election results were being cancelled, and all institutions of the republic were being dissolved. They also revealed that the country's borders had been closed "until further notice." The move comes after the opposition alleged that Saturday's election, which declared President Ali Bongo as the winner, was fraudulent. Bongo was reported to have won just under two-thirds of the votes, an outcome that was met with skepticism from the opposition. If this coup is successful, it will bring an end t...

ECOWAS Condemns Threats to Prosecute Ousted Niger President, Calls for Peaceful Resolution

14Aug

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Armed Forces, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone

ECOWAS Condemns Threats to Prosecute Ousted Niger President, Calls for Peaceful Resolution

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strongly condemned the threats made by Niger's military rulers to prosecute the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum. The military leaders, who staged a coup that led to the removal of Bazoum from power, announced their intention to prosecute him for "high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger." In response, ECOWAS issued a statement on Monday expressing its astonishment and concern over the threats. The regional bloc characterized the move as a form of provocation and highlighted its contradiction with the military authorities' stated willingness to restore constitutional order in Niger through peaceful means. See Also: ECOWAS Chair: No Option Off the Table in Niger Republic Crisis Resolution EC...

ECOWAS Chair: No Option Off the Table in Niger Republic Crisis Resolution

11Aug

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Security, Senegal, Sierra Leone

ECOWAS Chair: No Option Off the Table in Niger Republic Crisis Resolution

President Bola Tinubu, Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has asserted that no option is off the table, including the use of force as a last resort, in the efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis in Niger Republic. The Chairman made these remarks during the closing of an ECOWAS summit held in Abuja, Nigeria. Tinubu, speaking after the summit, highlighted that the communiqué issued at the extraordinary summit explicitly outlines that all options, including the use of force as a last resort, are being considered. He emphasized the significance of ECOWAS taking the lead in finding a solution to the crisis and stated that if the bloc doesn't act decisively, no one else will. Tinubu underscored ECOWAS's unwavering commitment to supporting Niger in its pursuit ...

The U.S to Support Nigeria’s Cocoa Value Chain with a $22million Project

24Sep

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

African Development, Agriculture, United States of America

The U.S to Support Nigeria’s Cocoa Value Chain with a $22million Project

The United States and Lutheran World Relief are both in a cooperative agreement to support the cocoa value chain in Nigeria. See Also: World Bank To Fund $900 Million Development Projects In East Congo The Program indicated as the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Food for Progress is valued at $22 million. The program will be followed through the next five years with roughly 68,000 farmers across Abia, Cross River, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, and Osun State benefiting from the program. It is focused on farmers in high-density and high-producing communities as well as those in low productivity but sited in highly promising areas. The program aims to increase cocoa productivity, improve access to inputs, and improve processing and export markets. Speaking on the program's a...

VP, Yemi Osinbajo Reveals Nigeria will Spend $410 Billion on Energy Transition

24Aug

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

African Development, News, Nigeria

VP, Yemi Osinbajo Reveals Nigeria will Spend $410 Billion on Energy Transition

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo reveals that Nigeria will spend over $410 billion to execute its energy transition plan by 2060. Osinbajo spoke on Wednesday at the global virtual inauguration of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, his statement was revealed by his spokesman, Laolu Akande. See Also: NBA Conference: Shettima Had An Agenda – Omokri The Energy transition plan is devised to repress the crises of energy poverty and climate change in the country. According to him, “For Africa, the problem of energy poverty is as important as our climate ambitions." “Nigeria would need to spend 410 billion dollars above business-as-usual spending to deliver our transition plan by 2060, which translates to about 10 billion dollars per year." “The average 3 billion dollars per year...

World Bank To Fund $900 Million Development Projects In East Congo

10Jun

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

African Development, Congo, Economy, News, Women Empowerment

World Bank To Fund $900 Million Development Projects In East Congo

The World Bank and Congo have signed two funding conventions of$900 million to boost female entrepreneurship and access to water and electricity in the east and west of the country, the Bank said in a statement. The projects will focus on Congo's central west Kasai province and eastern regions. Read Also: 20 Million Farmers In Africa To Benefit From $1.5 billion Emergency Food Facility "These operations supplement a portfolio of operations focused on reinforcing human capital and protecting the poorest households - including women - against socio-economic hazards," World Bank Congo Director said in a statement dated Tuesday but seen by Reuters on Wednesday. The deal was clinched at the end of a two-day visit to Congo by the World Bank's strategy and operations director for...