Trial Within a Trial: The Hidden Complexity of Environmental Justice in Africa

Mbabane, Eswatini – 2 July 2025 – In the battle to protect Africa’s ecosystems, the challenge is no longer just environmental degradation—it is the legal and institutional maze that comes with holding perpetrators accountable. From raw sewer dumped into Lake Chivero to ivory smuggled out of Botswana, the complexity of environmental litigation is leaving enforcers…

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Interests, Positions, and Africa’s Fight Against Land Degradation

…Lessons from a Negotiation Training Room Mbabane, Eswatini – 1 July 2025 – Inside a modest training room, a group of African journalists leaned in as their facilitator posed a deceptively simple question: “What’s the difference between an interest and a position?” A participant ventured an answer: “Interest is the intention—where states show they share…

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Reporting the Negotiations: Why African Journalists Must Master the Process

Mbabane, Eswatini, 1 July 2025 – International negotiations—from climate change to biodiversity—are complex, highly choreographed affairs. Yet many journalists covering them don’t really know how these processes work. That lack of understanding risks undermining African positions, fuelling division, and weakening the continent’s negotiating power. This was the sobering message delivered today at the media training…

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Demystifying CITES: Why African Media Must Tell the Full Story of Wildlife Trade

Mbabane, Eswatini – As journalists from across Africa gather for training on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), one treaty stands out for both its importance and its complexity: the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Yet for many reporters, even those covering environmental beats, CITES remains misunderstood. It is…

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Eswatini committed to environmental stewardship, sustainable development

Mbabane, Eswatini – The Kingdom of Eswatini this week welcomed delegates from across Africa for a landmark training workshop on reporting Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), reaffirming its commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainable development, and regional cooperation. Speaking at the opening of the event, the representative of the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and…

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Africa Takes Charge of Its Environmental Narrative: Media Training on MEA Reporting Opens in Eswatini

Mbabane, Eswatini – 30 June 2025 – Stakeholders from across Africa have gathered in Eswatini’s capital, Mbabane, for a landmark three-day Media Training on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) Reporting, signalling a new era in empowering African media to actively shape the continent’s environmental narrative. Organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) Sustainable Environment and Blue…

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Smallholder farmers engage private sector in groundbreaking market dialogues

Harare, Zimbabwe, 23 June 2025 – The Climate Resilient Livelihoods (CRL) Project, being supported by the Government of Zimbabwe, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is convening a series of Innovation Platform (IP) Market Dialogue Workshops from 23 to 28 June 2025.   The dialogues will offer a rare…

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Rwanda unveils agricultural plan to attract over $330m in private investment

Rwanda has launched a new Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) investment plan, laying the groundwork to attract over $335 million (approximately Rwf449.7 billion) in private sector investment into sustainable agriculture projects across the country.   Launched on Tuesday, June 18, by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources in collaboration with Rwanda Green Fund and the…

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El Niño and climate change cause drought in southern Africa

From Malawi and Mozambique to Zambia and Zimbabwe, down to Namibia and across to the grain belt of South Africa, a combination of the effects of climate change and the El Niño weather phenomenon has been causing drought, hunger and misery for months. The region, already vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, received only 80 percent of expected…

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From Seeds to Sustainability: Climate-Smart Agriculture Takes Root in Southern Zimbabwe

Smallholder farmers in Chiredzi and Mwenezi districts are adopting climate-smart agriculture to enhance food security and strengthen resilience to climate change, through the project Strengthening Climate Resilience of Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Zimbabwe—a partnership between the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Green Climate Fund.  …

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Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis Report for Limpopo River Basin under consideration

07 June 2025, Maputo, MOZAMBIQUE – The Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM) will convene a special basin-wide meeting on 10-12 June 2025 in Bilene, Gaza Province of Mozambique for its Member States to consider and approve the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) Report for the Limpopo River Basin (LRB).   This follows the successful validation of the…

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Stakeholders welcome FANRPAN’s Strategic Plan (2025-2035)

The Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) Strategic Plan (2025-2035) lays out not only its strategic priorities – ranging from climate change resilience, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods to trade, innovation, and social inclusion but also it shows how the network delivers through robust evidence generation, knowledge management, and partnerships.   These were…

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Community stewardship key in protecting Wetlands

Writes Edgar Gweshe Community stewardship is a powerful model for wetlands protection which fosters local ownership and engagement leading to more sustainable and effective conservation efforts. Community involvement in wetlands protection ensures that locals become the primary stewards of wetlands thus promoting long-term sustainability and positive change. Community stewardship promotes increased awareness, collaboration, and partnerships,…

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HWPL Holds 12th Anniversary in Peace Clean Up, Launches New Peace Zone for Community Unity

Bonteheuwel, Cape Town – On 24 May 2025, the streets of Bonteheuwel resonated not with fear, but with hope, as more than 130 participants gathered to commemorate the 12th Anniversary of HWPL’s Declaration of World Peace through a community clean-up and peacebuilding campaign.   Jointly hosted by HWPL, Gun Free South Africa, the Lerato Family…

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G20 Agricultural Chief Scientists plot food security for Africa

G20 Agricultural Chief Scientists  (G20-MACS), held from 26-28 May 2025 in Polokwane, under South Africa’s G20 Presidency identified actionable science, technology, and innovation actions to advance the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the Africa Common Position on Food Systems.   In her address, Nakedi Kekana,…

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SADC TFCAs promoting governance, integrated management of transboundary landscapes

On 28 May 2025, Mr Gwinyai Muti, the International Coordinator for the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) presented to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas Conservation Specialist Group detailing the process of how Transfrontier Conservation Area has established a model transboundary and governance structure and joint planning…

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Global Collaboration to Improve Wheat Adaptation

A new joint research initiative is bringing together experts from Australia and France to enhance wheat yields amid a changing climate.   The International Associated Laboratory “Wheat Adaptation to Changing Environments” (WheatACE) unites researchers from The University of Queensland, France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), and the University Clermont Auvergne….

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Harare urgently needs Wetland City Accreditation

Writes Edgar Gweshe Harare is losing its headwater wetlands – sources of water for the capital- at an alarming rate.   According to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), 82% of the country’s wetlands are moderately to severely degraded, with only 18% remaining in a relatively undisturbed state.   Statistics show that over the last two…

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Africa Day: CAN Zimbabwe, PELUM driving “My Food is Zimbabwe” Campaign

A significant occasion, Africa Day honors the achievements, diversity, and solidarity of the continent. With the assistance of My Food is African, a regional campaign for My Food is Zimbabwe, the Mbare community has utilized the celebration this year to highlight the importance of agroecology in tackling climate change, a significant issue affecting agriculture and…

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Prioritise communities in SADC TFCAs: President Mnangagwa

The shared commitment to regional cooperation and integration, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development as espoused under the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) should put communities at the forefront, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.   President Mnangagwa made the remarks at the close of the historic inaugural SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Conference and Summit which…

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LIMCOM and GLTFCA Join Forces for Sustainable Freshwater Management

During the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas International Conference held in Harare, Zimbabwe over the period 19 – 21 May 2025, the International Coordinator for the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, Mr. Gwinyai Muti mentioned that the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM) and the Great Limpopo Transfrontier…

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SADC TFCAs drive eco-tourism, climate resilience, and rural development

The Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Framework under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) complements regional strategies in eco-tourism, climate resilience, and rural development, and contributes meaningfully to national goals of equity and shared prosperity.   This came to the fore in opening remarks by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Chairperson of…

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Chinhoyi loses lustre as city fails to collect garbage

Story by Violet Mashonga Chinhoyi, nestled in Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland West Province, is grappling with a severe refuse collection crisis that has left its residents in a precarious situation. The local authority’s failure to collect refuse has resulted in streets being littered with garbage, creating an eyesore and a serious health hazard.   The crisis, which…

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SADC committed to conservation, sustainable development, and regional integration

Zimbabwe convened a meeting of the Ministers responsible for Environment, Natural Resources, and Tourism on the sidelines of the historic inaugural SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Conference and Summit as a testament to the southern region’s commitment to conservation, sustainable development, and regional integration.   These sentiments were captured in the remarks by the Minister…

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Non-state actors outline expectations for SADC Transfrontier Conservation

As Zimbabwe is hosting the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Summit from 19–23 May 2025 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) Zimbabwe, non-state actors have outlined their expectations under the initiative.     The summit is under the theme “25 Years of Cooperation for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development.” Leaders and experts will come…

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EALA embraces agroecology to transform East Africa’s food

Agroecology has been identified as one of the most important pathways to climate resilience and sustainable food systems transformation in Africa.   The approach integrates ecological and social principles into farming practices to address food insecurity, environmental degradation, and poverty, leading to food security, environmental sustainability, and economic development.   The second Conference on Agroecology…

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Transboundary cooperation pertinent in SADC TFCAs

Member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have been urged to uphold collective commitment to transboundary cooperation under the regional bloc’s Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs).   Addressing the SADC TFCAs International Conference at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in his welcome remarks in Harare today, Ambassador Tadeous Tafirenyika Chifamba, the Permanent Secretary for Environment,…

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Revised RAIPs position SADC as a leader in transition towards food sovereignty

The Southern African Development Community (SADC)’s revised regional agricultural investment plans (RAIPs) position the regional bloc as a continental leader in working towards an agri-food transition that responds to the multi-faceted impacts of climate change by adopting sustainable approaches (agroecology); empowering smallholder farmers (particularly women, youth, and vulnerable people); supporting the use of indigenous knowledge;…

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President Ruto sets bold agenda for Africa-China ties through trade-driven partnerships

President Ruto calls for a reimagined Sino-African partnership focused on infrastructure, industrial value chains, and minerals beneficiation. His vision aligns with SADC’s priorities for trade-based development and inclusive growth through value addition in mineral-rich economies. China is now Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest trading partner. Over 3,000 Chinese companies operate in Africa, most from the private sector….

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Competition for schools aligns educational reforms with SDGs, Agenda 2063

The Official Launch of the Schools’ SDGs Competitions by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education aligns educational reforms with the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063 by equipping learners to address global challenges through local action. “It is my privilege to deliver the keynote address at the Official Launch of the Schools SDGs Competitions….

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CAADP Launch: RECs, farmer organisations pledge partnerships for agricultural success

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Regional economic communities (RECs) and farmer organisations have welcomed the official launch of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan and Kampala Declaration following its approval by the African Union Head of State and Government in January 2025 wherein they pledged to contribute their expertise to the…

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NetOne Champions Cleaner Zimbabwe, Partners with Harare City

The streets of Harare were alive with action early Friday morning as hundreds of NetOne and Harare City workers came together, brooms in hand, to answer President Mnangagwa’s call for a cleaner nation. Under the National Cleanup Day initiative—observed every first Friday of the month—the teams set out to transform the city, one street at…

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New Zimbabwe Wildlife Leadership Program Will Focus on Rhino Conservation

The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) and the Wildlife Conservation Network are partnering to launch a new wildlife leadership program focusing entirely on rhino conservation practitioners. The program will begin in May.   This transformative program—Rising Wildlife Leaders: Careers—will equip local conservationists in the countries where rhinos live with the skills, mentorship, and career support they need to make a lasting…

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Faith in Action: Empowering Generations to Tackle Climate Change Together

As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, the role of faith leaders in climate adaptation has gained significant importance. Faith communities, guided by their values and teachings, have the potential to influence public opinion, mobilize resources, and foster community resilience. On 23 April 2025, the Methodist Development and Relief Agency (MeDRA), in partnership…

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ZITF 2025: UNDP Zimbabwe delivering practical, inclusive solutions for sustainable development

On Wednesday, a Spiked Online Media correspondent visited the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zimbabwe stand at the 2025 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) to get insights about the UN agency’s work in the country.   Below are excerpts from the interview: Question 1: What is the overarching goal of UNDP Zimbabwe’s work? Answer: At…

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Private sector can play a leading role in investing in sustainable sources of energy

Writes Sam Matsekete   Old Mutual’s interest in renewable energy has been established over a period now, and we continue that commitment. Firstly, within the Old Mutual operations themselves, we seek to uphold responsible business practices, and we are looking at how we can ensure that we are climate-friendly in the ways that we conduct…

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Zimbabwe’s 45th Independence Anniversary: President Mnangagwa highlights developmental initiatives

Forty-five years after Zimbabwe attained independence, the country has witnessed several developmental initiatives, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.   In his address today, 18 April 2025, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Dr E. D. Mnangagwa in Gokwe, Nembudziya in the Midlands Province said central to the country’s development is the commitment…

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Japan, Zimbabwe and UN Agencies collaboration improves Child Health and Nutrition, Medical Waste Management

The Government of Japan provides support, in partnership with UNICEF, UNDP, WFP, and UNOPS, to the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and has launched five transformative projects under Japan’s 2024 Supplementary Budget and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). These initiatives aim to strengthen maternal and child health, prevent malnutrition, modernize medical…

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Investing in Africa’s Prosperity: Transnational Roadshow Sets the Stage for the Atlas Convention 2025

Writes Sirak Gebrehiwot 16 April 2025, Harare – The Atlas Transnational Roadshow launched today with an array of significant events designed to transform Africa’s role in the global economic arena. Together with government officials, the United Nations, industry experts, and policymakers, the roadshow highlighted Africa’s vast potential and its strategic path towards sustainable economic growth…

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NetOne working for a cleaner, greener, and healthier urban environment

NetOne, in collaboration with the City of Harare, led a vibrant clean-up campaign in the heart of Harare’s Central Business District (CBD), aimed at promoting a cleaner, greener, and healthier urban environment.   The initiative, held on the first Friday of the month in line with the national clean-up programme, brought together NetOne staff, City…

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Competition on wetlands protection targets school children

Writes Edgar Gweshe Birdlife Zimbabwe (BLZ), in collaboration with the Harare Wetlands Trust (HWT) and the Netherlands Embassy in Zimbabwe, has launched an art and essay competition aimed at raising awareness on wetlands protection. The competition, being held under the theme, “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future” is open to primary and secondary school students….

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Stakeholders hail consultative process in City of Harare Environment and Climate Policy formulation

Stakeholders have said the process of coming up with the City of Harare’s Environment and Climate Policy has been very inclusive in several respects.   This emerged last week at a multi-stakeholder dialogue forum that brought together representatives from the Government, Local Authorities within the Harare metropolitan area, the Private Sector, and Civil Society to…

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