African Echoes | The Press of Tunisia

$40 million to develop climate research in Africa

The World Bank has approved a $40 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) in support of the Aiccra project, which aims to accelerate the impact of climate research in Africa. The additional funding marks an important step in promoting climate-smart agricultural technologies and essential strengthening of climate resilience and food security, according to the World Bank. These new funds will facilitate the validation and dissemination of techniques and methods tailored to the challenges of climate change in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Senegal, and Zambia, covering various agro-ecological zones vulnerable to the effects of climate disruptions. They will provide farmers and herders with tools to anticipate climate events and prepare more effectively, while also having better access to meteorological services directly linked to concrete intervention measures, the statement said, adding that local populations will thus be better able to protect their livelihoods and the environment. “We are committed to working closely with our partners to ensure that farmers and other stakeholders benefit from innovative solutions to the challenges posed by climate change,” said Chakib Jenane, World Bank Regional Director for Sustainable Development. “It is essential to invest in climate-smart agriculture to sustainably improve food security and economic development,” he noted.

The Aiccra project aims to strengthen the capacities of governments, regional organizations, farmers, and stakeholders in general, and to improve access—and use—of climate information services and proven climate-smart agricultural technologies in Africa. The additional funds approved by the World Bank will finance the larger-scale development of key activities, including knowledge production and sharing, strengthening partnerships for service delivery, and validating agricultural innovations through pilot experiences.

This financing will also support the establishment of a regional hub for fertilizers and soil health in West Africa, aimed at improving agricultural fertility and long-term climate resilience in the sub-region.

Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline: a company established to coordinate project funding

The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project continues to progress. The National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (Onhym) plans to establish a company in 2024 that will be responsible for coordinating financing, construction, and operations related to the project.

The capital of this company will be open to investors, such as sovereign funds, development banks, commercial banks, and multinational oil companies. The realization of the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project has passed several stages. Detailed studies have been completed, on-site assessments and environmental and social impact studies are ongoing. Since the signing of the agreement in 2016 between Morocco and Nigeria, the gas pipeline project has been progressing, despite competition from a similar project proposed by Algeria. The pipeline is expected to transport gas produced by Nigeria to Europe through a dozen African countries, including Morocco.

Egypt: China negotiates the establishment of a large industrial zone

China has begun negotiations with Egypt for the establishment of a large industrial zone on the Mediterranean coast of this North African country, the Egyptian government announced. The industrial zone is expected to be dedicated to export-oriented industries such as textiles and apparel, electric cars, and petrochemical products. Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry, Ahmed Samir, and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Wentao, also discussed a proposal to open a branch of one of the Chinese banks in Egypt to facilitate trade between the two countries. Cairo and Beijing are close to an agreement on the industrial zone project, which could attract investments of around $100 billion. Egypt is among the five countries that joined the BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) last January, along with Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran, as part of an expansion plan for this coalition of emerging countries.