Africa
South Africa tried to weaken corruption safeguards in coal phase out deal, says CEO
The Eskom boss said that a “senior government minister” said it was “pragmatic” to water down corruption safeguards in a $8.5bn international clean energy deal
Coal communities fear South Africa’s clean energy transition
Almost 80% of the more than 80,000 residents working in Ermelo are employed by Eskom and Transnet, the state-owned energy and transport companies
DR Congo delays rainforest oil auctions
After a series of multinational oil companies ruled themselves out of the controversial projects, the government pushed back bidding at the last minute
Despite killer floods, Nigerian presidential frontrunners dismiss climate change
Polling carried out before the floods showed that two-thirds of Nigerians had not heard of climate change
Eskom poisoning raises fears for South Africa’s energy transition
Outgoing chief Andre De Ruyter survived an attempt on his life last month, as coal-friendly minister Gwede Mantashe took control of Eskom
Gas is casting a long shadow over green development in Africa
At the Cop27 summit in Egypt, a dash for gas risks distracting from the support for climate resilience Africans really need
UN cancels African energy finance initiative over fraudster’s role
The UN Economic Commission for Africa is reviewing its private sector partners after learning of NJ Ayuk’s criminal record
UN gives platform to convicted fraudster lobbying for African gas
Cameroonian lawyer NJ Ayuk is leading the UN-backed Team Energy Africa, despite a criminal record and alleged involvement in money laundering
Hali Hewa episode 6: What fossil fuel development means for Africa
Ina-Maria Shikongo of Nambia and Tzeporah Berman of Canada talk elephants, pipelines and petro-colonialism
Africa’s broken food markets must be fixed to tackle hunger
A handful of large companies make big profits by controlling the food trade in Africa, while doing nothing to increase its climate resilience
Ugandan police ‘brutally arrest’ anti-pipeline protesters outside EU embassy
Nine activists are in detention after delivering a petition against Total Energies’ controversial East African Crude Oil Pipeline
When the EU and US score climate points off China, Africa suffers
Frans Timmermans and John Kerry are downplaying historic responsibility for the climate crisis. That’s a red flag for Africa
Displaced by drought, climate migrants clash with Zimbabwe’s timber industry
After suffering from extreme drought, farmers have settled in timber plantations in eastern Zimbabwe, clashing with government and industry
Africa food crisis: Bill Gates and smallholders see different solutions
Fertiliser prices have risen by 300% since Russia invaded Ukraine, beyond the reach of smallholders, yet philanthropists see them as key to increasing yields
African leaders blast European no-shows at climate adaptation summit
Presidents of Senegal, DRC and Ghana travelled to Rotterdam to talk about adapting to climate change. Only one European leader was there to meet them
Hali Hewa episode 4: Vanessa Nakate
Globally renowned Ugandan activist Vanessa Nakate talks about solar panels for schools and why loss and damage is her priority for Cop27
African nations eye debt-for-climate swaps as IMF takes an interest
An IMF working paper argues in favour of swapping debt repayments for climate investments in debt-burdened nations – the issue is scale
Nigeria plans gas-led transition to full energy access and net zero emissions
The government is seeking an initial $10 billion to extend energy access to 90 million Nigerians with solar panels and a doubling of gas power generation this decade
Oil not charcoal the biggest threat to Congo rainforest, top researcher warns
Stop blaming poor communities for deforestation, urges author of upcoming FAO report, warning oil exploration could set off a “giant carbon bomb”
Egypt pitches for climate funding in list of African projects to be showcased at Cop27
The Cop27 host is pitching for $11.4bn in investment as part of a push with the UN to match bankable climate projects with private funders