AFC providing insurance for smallholder farmers

The AFC Insurance Company has now accelerated the provision of various short-term insurance products through a rapid expansion strategy across the country. The recently licensed entity has already made significant headway towards ensuring that insurance cover is made available to millions of households across the country, with a deliberate focus on agriculture insurance, in a…

Read More

Climate change mitigation: Interrogating world’s energy transition costs

While African countries strongly support global climate ambitions, the question of who must bear the social and economic costs associated with the world’s energy transition is of global significance, Mr. Nesbert Samu, the Chief Director of Parliamentary Programmes in the Parliament of Zimbabwe has said. Mr. Samu made the remarks during the Common Market for…

Read More

COMESA Member States discuss COP27 roadmap

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is holding a Regional Preparatory Workshop of the Twenty-Seventh Conference of Parties (COP27) to be held in Egypt. Held in Zimbabwe, the regional meeting is deliberating on the key issues related to the upcoming COP27. In his welcome remarks, Hon Mangaliso Ndhovu, the Minister of Environment,…

Read More

What Climate Change Means For Africa’s Food Crisis

By Emily Barone The African continent is no stranger to famine. In the 1970s and ‘80s, countries across the Sahel plunged into a drought-induced food crisis. In the mid-80s, an estimated one million people died from food shortages in Ethiopia. Somalia faced widespread famine in the ‘90s. Both those countries, along with neighboring East African…

Read More

Reframing Climate Narrative in Africa

By Dr. Richard Munang   The world is on a red alert, and the planetary emergencies are getting worse. #climateChange, #biodiversity loss and #pollution and #waste are weighing down on us. # Africa’s contribution to the #climate stability of the world needs to be fronted. We must change the narrative from #Africa being victims of #climatechange requiring help to Africa alone to now front the truth, which is…

Read More

Environmentalists demand climate reparations, loss and damage finance in Kenya

Lilian Gakuhi, an environmentalist from Kenya joined other champions in a roadshow to demand climate reparations, loss, and damage finance as an advocacy for climate justice. “As environmentalists, climate activists, and climate champions we can use our voices to speak for climate justice, nature, and communities existing with nature. I had a great opportunity to…

Read More

Zimbabwe holds stakeholder preparatory workshop for COP27

Stakeholders today gathered for a Preparatory Workshop for the Twenty-Seventh Conference of Parties (COP27) which is organised almost every year by the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) that will take place in Sharm El Sheikh in the Republic of Egypt from the 6th to the 18th of November 2022. Hon Mangaliso Ndhovu, the…

Read More

Enhancing Africa’s Participation in Carbon Markets

By Dr. Richard Munang What we see is that globally, while regulatory compliance/mandatory carbon markets are estimated to be worth about $261billion, the voluntary market is estimated at $400million. We see from the onset that the “voluntary” nature of the voluntary market makes it a “hard sell” globally, not just in Africa. Furthermore, for Africa, which…

Read More

US35 000 equipment, wheat and homesteads up in smoke in runaway veld fire

By Elvis Dumba Raffingora – Irrigation equipment worth US39 000 and 45 hectares of ready-to-harvest wheat were destroyed as a result of a runaway veld fire at Dalston Farm near Raffingora. The fire also rendered some Zvimba families homeless and without food after destroying homes. A man in Zvimba North Constituency who was clearing his…

Read More

Transboundary eco-tourism to foster sub-regional economic development

On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), the Joint Management Board met on 30 September 2022 to discuss various issues related to the collaborative management of this important cross-border conservation area. The in-person meeting was held in Harare, Zimbabwe, and attended by Ms. Celmira da Silva, the…

Read More

Egypt’s COP27 Presidency sets out UNFCCC vision, urges world to act now

By Baboloki Semele Egypt’s COP27 Presidency set out its vision for the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, taking place in Egypt’s coastal city of Sharm El-Sheikh from November 7th to the 18th. The aim is to make COP27 an implementation COP by urging action across prior agreements through all areas of climate change need…

Read More

Tourism to contribute to the reversal of biodiversity loss

Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity on the occasion of the World Tourism Day 2022 held on 27 September 2022 has said tourism stands in a unique position to significantly contribute to the reversal of biodiversity loss. “The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day is “rethinking tourism”, and…

Read More

Ignoring Africa’s small-scale food producers at COP27 will imperil their survival

By Alliance for Food Security in Africa (AFSA) Africa’s small-scale farmers risk being disregarded and shut out at international climate negotiations (COP27) in Egypt this November, warns Africa’s largest civil society movement, the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa. AFSA represents over 200 million small-scale farmers, fisherfolk, pastoralists, and indigenous peoples. The warning comes after…

Read More

‘My Food is African’ campaign launched at the National Seed Fair

Zimbabwe launched the My Food is African campaign at the National Seed Fair which was graced by the Guest of Honour, Dr. George Kembo, the Director-General of the Government’s Food and Nutrition Council (FNC). Zimbabwe’s National Seed Fair is hosted by the Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme (ZSSP), which the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe…

Read More

Kadoma Hotel and Conference Centre Solar Power Plant: Implementing renewable energy

The Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) has demonstrated its commitment to providing renewable energy and implementing green initiatives when it installed a 300 KVA solar plant at the Kadoma Hotel and Conference Centre. The solar plant generates 0.3 MW of solar power for the hotel and has become the main souce of power ahead of the…

Read More

IFRC warns of deepening global hunger

By Baboloki Semele Gaborone, Botswana – The warning lights are flashing on high: armed conflict, climate-related emergencies, economic hardship and political obstacles are leading to a growing wave of hunger in countries around the world. The misery for millions will deepen without immediate urgent action, warns the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent…

Read More

Economic growth underpinned by sustainable environment, tourism and climate resilience

The Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon Mangaliso Ndlovu has said the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) blueprint prioritizes a sustainable environment, tourism, and climate resilience, which anchor and underpin economic revival growth. He made the remarks at Leopard Rock Hotel in Vumba during the ministry’s strategic planning workshop meant to enhance…

Read More

Zimbabwean teams compete in Tusk Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2022

The Tusk Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2022, third year in running, hosted over 100 ranger organisations from more than 20 African countries for the Wildlife Ranger Challenge 21km half marathon on 17 September, including elite field rangers from Zimbabwe. The Conservative and Wildlife Fund (CWF) and Painted Dog Conservation joined rangers around the pan-African Wildlife Ranger…

Read More

TJGIN embracing joint-venture partnerships for youth empowerment, economic development

The Joshua Generation International Network (TJGIN) is embracing joint-venture partnerships in its programming in order to guard against shortcomings associated with dealing with individuals in its quest to promote youth empowerment and economic development for young people globally. This was revealed in Zimbabwe’s eastern border town of Chipinge yesterday by Pastor Xavier Mzembi, one of…

Read More

Customs officials trained in combating illegal trade of ozone depleting substances

Staff Writer Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry, Hon Mangaliso Ndlovu, has said the government through his ministry has partnered with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority in equipping customs officials in combating the illegal trade of banned ozone-depleting substances (ODS). In his speech to commemorate World Ozone Day, Hon Ndlovu said he was grateful…

Read More

Samsung pumps trillions into green initiatives

By Joseph Waring Samsung Electronics refreshed its environmental strategy, earmarking more than KRW7 trillion ($5 billion) for green initiatives by 2030, targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and joining RE100, a global renewable energy initiative. The company stated the investment will go to researching new technologies to develop energy-efficient products, increase water reuse and foster…

Read More

US announces $5 million grant to support AfDB in tackling methane emissions

The grant, subject to the completion of US domestic procedures and approvals, will go to the multi-donor Africa Climate Change Fund, which is managed by the African Development Bank The United States government has announced it will provide a $5 million grant to the African Development Bank to support efforts to abate methane gas emissions,…

Read More

AMCEN spotlights environmental actions for job creation, livelihoods improvement

Issues of job creation and improved livelihoods of the people are topical at the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Dakar, Senegal where the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry, Hon Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu is leading Zimbabwe’s delegation. The Ministerial segment is being held from 15 to 16 September 2022. The…

Read More

Conservation, regenerative agriculture bringing food security for smallholder farmers

The Government of Zimbabwe trained over one million farmers on conservation agriculture (CA) and in calculating the concept of community gardens and the use of regenerative agricultural techniques in urban areas so as to elevate hunger at the household and national levels. Regenerative agriculture is growing quickly throughout the world and Zimbabwe is no different….

Read More

African Energy Week 2022: AfDB expected to sign deals and forge partnerships

Representing the official partner of AEW 2022, a strong delegation from Afreximbank led by the organization’s Chairman and President, Prof. Benedict Oramah, will be coming to AEW 2022 to lead discussions, sign oil and gas deals, and reshape the narrative on Africa’s energy future. In pursuit of consolidating Africa’s own narrative around oil, gas, and…

Read More

How regenerative agriculture can increase Africa’s food production

As global stakeholders work towards COP27, the next climate change conference, and accelerate efforts to confront the climate crisis, there has been increasing focus on “regenerative agriculture” – a term that is widely used but not always well understood. How it is defined globally will have a major impact on how it is applied. To…

Read More

World Bank Group Delivers Record $31.7 Billion in Climate Finance

Financing focuses on helping countries reduce GHG emissions and adapt to mounting impacts of climate change The World Bank Group delivered a record $31.7 billion in fiscal year 2022 (FY22) to help countries address climate change. This is a 19% increase from the $26.6 billion all-time high in financing reached in the previous fiscal year. The…

Read More

PELUM-Zimbabwe capacitates Mazvihwa community on water harvesting techniques

By Wallace Mawire A four-day farmer exchange visit facilitated by the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM-Zimbabwe) in Mazvihwa community in Zvishavane from 10 to 13 August 2022 has capacitated local farmer organizations to learn and share knowledge, information, and ideas to promote water harvesting in the wake of climate change, especially in the arid…

Read More

Africa should build resilient food systems: President Mnangagwa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on Africans to focus their attention and responsibility towards shaping pathways and solutions to the challenges that confront the continent by building resilient agricultural food systems. He made the remarks while opening the Plenary Session of the African Green Revolution Forum titled “Accelerating Food Systems in a time of Crisis”…

Read More

AfDB: African Green Revolution Forum’s top-tier partner

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) returns as a top-tier partner of the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) – Africa’s largest agriculture conference – taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, from 6-9 September 2022. On Monday, the Bank kicked off its AGRF 2022 activities by co-organizing a pre-forum side event focused on the African Emergency Food Production Facility…

Read More

African Leadership: World Must Double Down on Climate Adaptation to Secure Africa

Africa Adaptation Summit outlines a 5-point “Adaptation Delivery Breakthrough” for the key UN climate conference in Egypt (COP27) this November and $55 million of new funding to mobilize over $5 billion in climate adaptation action projects for Africa   Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Sep 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — African and global leaders joined the Africa Adaptation…

Read More

Climate change weighing on agriculture

Among the many difficult challenges facing grain, executives are assessing climate change impacts. The headline of a special Fitch report, published in June, provided a stark reminder of the massive stakes associated with climate change: “Developing countries are more challenged by climate change adaptation.” The report’s focus was on “the stark differences across the world…

Read More

Summit lays foundation for an adaptation breakthrough for Africa at COP27

The Global Center on Adaptation, together with the African Union, African Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, Africa Adaptation Initiative, and the Climate Vulnerable Forum, are convening the Africa Adaptation Summit to lay the foundation for an adaptation breakthrough for Africa at COP27, in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. The Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism,…

Read More

Africa Climate Week: EcoEthics building synergies and collaborations for young people

By Miranda Dzumbunu Ecoethics Global Movement on Friday 2 September 2022, successfully held EcoEthics Africa Climate Week in an engagement that spearheaded knowledge sharing among youths across Africa on matters of climate change and the environment. Climate change and environmental activists from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Nigeria among other African nations participated in the Climate…

Read More

ZAS 2022: TelOne introduces climate-smart agriculture crop monitoring service

The leading provider of voice and broadband services, TelOne, has introduced a new product onto the market – Crop Monitoring Service, in a move anticipated to position the company in the smart agriculture sector and transform remote farming. In an interview with Spiked Online Media at the ongoing Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) in Harare yesterday,…

Read More

Africa Climate Week: Community Involvement Key for a Just Transition

By Masutane Modjadji As we commemorate Africa Climate Week, the Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) affirms that the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is inevitable. The energy transition in Africa must respond to the continent’s realities. A just energy transition in Africa must be people-centred. We firmly oppose the imposition of commitments…

Read More

Global warming to boost wheat yield, drive up price volatility: Study

Global warming is likely to boost crop yields in some countries, helped in part by higher carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, which increases plant growth and helps them become more efficient in using water. The results may seem hopeful, given the current surge in food prices globally. But there’s a catch – despite higher yields, future global…

Read More

Where does agriculture begin and end? Natural Ecosystems have Rights too!

By Charles Dhewa That food systems are more than agriculture is no longer debatable. However, what is worrying in most countries that depend on agriculture is the extent to which biodiversity and natural ecosystems are being destroyed in favor of agriculture. Conversely, the past few years have seen an increase in the volume of wild…

Read More

Farmers must prioritise smart agricultural techniques

By Hillary Munedzi Farmers are being urged to venture into integrated farming and the planting of local varieties that are self-producing in their natural regions, in adjusting to the new normal of record high fertilizer prices. With Africa faced with a fertilizer crisis, supply chain woes, and climate change impact, experts in the agricultural business…

Read More

Kenya’s KALYA driving climate-smart agriculture research through promotion of peace

With one of Africa’s powerhouses, Kenya, encountering challenges in the promotion of peace, especially among its diverse cultural and ethnic people as witnessed in the aftermath of the 2007 elections, the KALYA initiative is a panacea towards the promotion of food security and peace. Kalya M.D who works for Kabarak University in Kenya as a…

Read More

Climate change may hit wheat yield harder in developing countries

Climate change could have more of a negative impact on low-latitude countries than on high-altitude countries, further widening the gap between the fortunes of wheat farmers in developed countries and wheat farmers in developing countries, according to research from China published Aug. 19 in the journal One Earth. The researchers developed a climate-wheat-economic ensemble modeling approach in which…

Read More