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Launch of the facility will enable the African Development Bank to increase the reach of the CAW's efforts. (Image source: AfDB)

Energy

African Development Bank (AfDB) has unveiled its new Climate Action Window (CAW) Technical Assistance Facility at COP29

Before the conference, which is running in Baku from 11-22 November, the organisation stated its intention to mobilise additional resources for climate action in Africa and to launch a new approach to assess African economies. Following this, it has taken a ‘major step’ to address the continent’s climate finance gap by launching a new funding call with an initial allocation of US$56mn.

The CAW Technical Assistance Facility will support the preparation, financing and implementation of adaption and mitigation projects aligned with the Paris Agreement, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and National Adaption Plans (NAPs). It will aim to transform the development of climate projects across 37 low-income countries in the continent and is backed by funding commitments from partners such as the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. It will be accepting proposals from governments, regional organisations, NGOs, and Un agencies in ADF countries via its online portal.

“The CAW provides a veritable channel for countries to meet their global climate commitments,” remarked Kevin Kariuki, vice president of power, energy, and climate change at AfDB. “This facility will ensure that projects in Africa’s most climate-vulnerable regions are well positioned to attract significant funding, creating a win-win scenario where countries can achieve climate targets, while advancing sustainable development."

Enabling adaption projects in Africa

The launch was supported by a number of stakeholders from the countries that are set to benefit from the initiative who welcomed the new initiative.

“I would like to thank the African Development Bank and its partners, as these funds will finance the resilience of our people,” commented Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Assahoré Konan Jacques. “Specific activities have been identified and targeted, and I call on the African Development Bank to learn from the challenges other funds have faced, ensuring that CAW succeeds where others have struggled.”

Fatima Haram Acyl, the Chad Minister for Economy and Planning, added, “For countries like Chad, climate vulnerability is not just a term. Our people face floods, droughts, and immense losses, and we need real, fast-acting solutions. The CAW presents an opportunity to deliver transformative projects that strengthen our communities' resilience.”

Max Andonirina Fontaine, Madagascar’s Minister of Environment, surmised, “The CAW enables African nations to pilot initiatives that truly address our needs. With its flexible approach, we can, for example, fund ecotourism projects in Madagascar that both protect forests and create jobs – support that Africa urgently needs.”

The concept of a smart city is a moving target. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Construction

Brian Civin, chief sales and marketing officer a AfriGIS, explains why geospatial data is the cornerstone of sustainable smart urban development

There is an increasing need for cities to become more efficient, sustainable, and liveable. Smart city initiatives explore how advanced technologies – such as data analytics, IoT, and artificial intelligence – can improve city operations and public services, reduce energy consumption, and enhance quality of life. They also support environmental sustainability, and create safer, more resilient communities in the face of challenges like climate
change and natural disasters.

With technology evolving rapidly, the idea of cities that can ‘think’ and ‘react’ to real-time data has become a feasible reality. However, there are numerous misconceptions and challenges that need addressing to move from theory to practice.

Urban planning

Geospatial data has long been essential in urban planning for optimising land use, infrastructure, and assessing risks like water flow. While traditional planning relies on this data, smart cities go further by integrating data-driven technologies into all aspects of urban life, though the concept of smart cities remains largely undefined and still evolving. Geospatial data is crucial in this context because it provides the foundational information needed to understand and manage the spatial dimensions of urban environments.

By integrating geospatial data, cities can optimise the placement and operation of resources like energy grids, water systems, and transport routes, leading to more efficient and sustainable urban planning. Plus, geospatial data enables real-time monitoring and management of services, supports emergency response and enhances decision-making processes by providing a detailed, location-based understanding of how different elements of a city interact.

Discover the full article in African Review November, available here

PVC ducting installed at a site. (Image source: UVSS)

Mining

Providing fresh air to underground workers, removing dust and noxious gases, regulating temperature, there are few aspects more critical to a modern mine than an effective ventilation system

With worker safety now one of the most paramount concerns of mining companies, it has never been more important for them to ensure an effective, well-planned underground mining ventilation system is in place.

Fortunately, there are a range of innovative equipment and service providers who are able to support mines as they seek to provide air flows in sufficient quantity and quality to ensure their workforce is safe. Take the likes of Unique Ventilation and Support Systems (UVSS), one of the largest ventilation manufacturing companies in Africa. With a client based across the continent – working with household names such as Anglo American, Goldfields, Sibanye, Impala, and more – UVSS boasts more than 85 years of experience in the sector, and is utilising this in its mission to become the market leader in Africa for the design, development, fabrication and supply of total integrated mining and industrial related ventilation systems, underground support and ancillary equipment.

African Review held a short Q&A with Jeremy Pettitt (JP), group - sales & business development manager at UVSS, to understand more about this vital service the company provides to the sector. Discover the full article in the November issue of African Review here

According to CFAO, the launch of the L200 marks a new standard for pickups in the region. (Image source: CFAO)

Logistics

CFAO Mobility has launched the Mitsubishi L200 to Ghanaian market

The new vehicle was revealed in a dynamic ceremony having travelled through West Africa in a demonstration of its mastery of the local environment. The stunt saw the L200 travel through five different markets, with live events and test-driving experiences being conducted to provide customers with a first-hand experience.

At the heart of the Mitsubishi L200 is a 2.4L Turbo Diesel engine that delivers powerful acceleration and a responsive drive. It also boasts a Super Select 4WD-II system, offering drivers four selectable modes, including full-time 4WD. According to CFAO, the vehicle maintains stability and cornering performance regardless of wet surface or dry pavement.

Safety has also been prioritised through the Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control and Mitsubishi Motors Safety Sensing that provides advanced safety features. In terms of comfort, the interior features an easy-to-grip steering wheel, soft-to-touch door handles, and seats engineered for long-distance comfort.

“This is more than just a vehicle; it represents a bold step forward for CFAO Mobility Ghana and our ongoing commitment to providing cutting-edge mobility solutions tailored for the Ghanaian market,” remarked managing director of CFAO Ghana, Adedamola Adelabu, in a speech read on his behalf by the finance director, Heritiana Randriamanantena. “As we all know, the pickup segment is one of the most competitive in the automotive industry in Ghana, and today, we are here to show you why the All-New Mitsubishi L200 is set to redefine this space.”

Ecobank can exchange its existing SwiftMT & ISO20022 messages with Nium to initiate payments on the real-time platform. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Finance

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, a leading pan-African financial services group, has partnered with Nium, a global infrastructure for real-time cross-border payments, in order to unlock seamless cross-border payments across African markets

Targeting 35 African markets across the continent as well as 32 million customers, the new initiative is aiming to enable faster, more efficient international payments for business and consumers.

“We are thrilled to partner with Ecobank and introduce Nium’s cutting-edge real-time payment capabilities to Africa,” remarked Anupam Pahuja, general manager and executive vice president for APAC, Middle East and Africa at Nium. “This collaboration represents an important step forward in expanding our global payments network, and we are proud to support Ecobank in delivering faster, more efficient payments for its customers across the region.”

Faster payments for African users

As per the agreement, Ecobank’s existing banking operations will be bolstered by the integration of Nium’s real-time payments infrastructure, empowering the financial services group to enhance its services for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

According to the company, it will connect its existing Swift workflows to Nium, thus gaining access to real-time transfers, updates, clearing, settlement, and payment tracking, without the need for complex API integrations.

This development is expected to reduce waiting times for cross-border payments, enabling businesses to make faster payments to more than 220 markets. This will unlock more opportunities for SMEs to connect with global markets.

Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group, surmised, “Partnering with Nium allows us to enhance our service offerings and provide our customers with faster, more efficient cross-border payment solutions. By leveraging our unique API-based payment platform, this collaboration is a significant step towards advancing financial inclusion and connectivity across Africa and enabling businesses to thrive in a global marketplace.”

Sacks made of plastic tape fabric for packaging dry bulk goods such as cement provide a lightweight, resistant and sustainable alternative to paper and film sacks. (Image source: Starlinger)

Manufacturing

Starlinger & Co Gesellschaft m.b.H., an Austrian machine manufacturing company, has acquired the woven packaging division from German machinery producer, Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H)

The company has also taken over W&H’s Viennese subsidiary company, W&H Machinery GmbH, a specialist in woven packaging. This development is aimed at strengthening its position as a world-leading supplier of machinery for woven plastic packaging and the integration of the related technologies holds significant potential for synergy effects in engineering, services and sales.

“The acquisition of W&H’s woven packaging division means that we can extend our portfolio and offer even more individual solutions to producers of sustainable woven plastic packaging,” remarked Angelika Huemer, CEO and managing partner of Starlinger. “We expect synergy effects and advantages for our customers not only with regard to technology, but also through our well-developed worldwide sales and service network.”

The products of W&H’s woven packaging portfolio will be marketed by Starlinger in the future. With regard to service and spare parts, Starlinger takes over the worldwide support of the customers.

“The decision to part with our woven sack division allows us to focus our resources on growth in the paper and film packaging market,” added Falco Paepenmüller, CEO of W&H Group. “Woven packaging products, on the other hand, fit perfectly into the existing portfolio and infrastructure of Starlinger. When we chose the buyer, it was especially important for us that our customers in the woven packaging market continue to receive excellent and reliable service and support.”

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