Set phasers to stun!

Greetings ????

We’re only halfway through COP28, and what a whirlwind the climate summit has been. There have been allegations that the hosts, UAE, are using the event as a platform to seal oil and gas deals, questions over the science behind limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and leaders from the same country travelling in separate private jets. Lest we sink into a (coal) pit of climate-related despair, the first day of the conference opened strongly, with countries formally adopting plans to launch a loss and damage fund, which will help to compensate for the impact of climate change. However, this early victory has been overshadowed by disagreements over whether to “phase-out” or “phase-down” fossil fuels. There are no agreed-upon definitions for either term, and advocates of the phase-down approach deploy arguments which rely on new and untested technologies, much to the dissatisfaction of those committed to a phase-out. Complicating matters is the view of developing countries, minimally responsible for emissions, but eager to build out their power grids and promote electrification – whether by old fashioned energy generation methods or modern solutions. While leaders bicker, the climate emergency continues to deepen, with 2023 on track to be the hottest year on record.?

Like frogs in a slowly-boiling pot,

AP editorial team

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?? 1,411

Nigeria topped the list of African countries with the most delegates attending the COP28 conference, at 1,411 people. Morocco followed with 823 and Kenya with 765. Country representatives claimed many delegates were from civil society and media, while several others attended virtually or were sponsored by the private sector.?

?? AFRICA HAS TO MAXIMISE GLOBAL LINKS, BOTH ON AND OFF THE PITCH

African countries have long contended with losing top talent to opportunities overseas – and the continental sporting industry is no exception. Consultant Rafael Friedman explains how African countries can leverage the talents of their athletic diaspora to enhance the continent’s long-term competitiveness.?

???? PRIVATISATION PAUSED

A High Court order has frozen Kenya’s plans to sell off stakes in parastatals. On 27 November, the National Treasury revealed that 11 state-owned corporations were to be sold on the Nairobi Stock Exchange as part of the first phase of the privatisation programme. However, the suspension order issued on 4 December puts pay to that. It forms part of a petition filed by the political opposition, accusing the current administration of sidelining public opinion through the Privatisation Act 2023. The opposition is pushing for a national referendum to determine which state assets can be put up for sale, which would further slow the government’s plans to bolster public coffers and address rising debt payments. The National Treasury needs every shilling it can muster as it prepares to repay Kenya’s USD 2 billion Eurobond, which matures in June 2024.

???? HOME ALONE

On 1 December, Guinea Bissau's capital witnessed heavy gunfire as the National Guard attempted to free Finance Minister Souleiman Seidi and Secretary of State for the Public Treasury Antonio Monteiro. Both were arrested on 30 November in connection to a corruption probe involving withdrawal of USD 10 million from a state fund and payments to 11 companies. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who was attending the COP28 summit, criticised the government, primarily composed of the opposition PAIGC party after wins in the legislative elections, for its inaction during the attempted coup. Upon his return to Bissau, Sissoco Embaló dissolved the parliament, led by rival PAIGC leader Domingos Sim?es Pereira, hinting at the latter’s potential involvement in the coup attempt. Sissoco Embaló will now govern alone pending fresh elections at a date which has yet to be determined, raising concerns that the incident has enabled a counter coup.

???? FOREST FUNDS

The DRC, in collaboration with a string of high-profile partners, unveiled the ambitious “People, Forests and Nature: Partnership for the New Climate Economy” at the COP28 World Leaders’ Summit. With USD 62 million of initial funding commitments, the initiative is intended to support the conservation and management of the DRC’s high value forests, peatlands and key biodiversity areas. The US, UK, France, Germany and Norway, along with philanthropy giants the Bezos Earth Fund and Rockefeller Brothers – among others – have signalled commitments to collaborate through international funding, financing and technical assistance. The initiative highlights the importance of the Congo Basin – which absorbs more carbon than the tropical forests of the Amazon and Southeast Asia combined – to emissions reductions strategies.?

???? EV ROADMAP

South Africa has released its long-awaited electric vehicle (EV) roadmap, outlining the country’s plan to transition automotive industry manufacturing from internal combustion engine vehicles to a dual platform which includes EVs. The industry is a critical driver of growth and major source of employment, constituting 2.9% of South Africa’s GDP in 2022, and 10% of manufacturing output. Simultaneously, transport has been identified as the country's fastest-growing source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for around 10.8%. The EV roadmap seeks to marry South Africa’s commitments to reduce emissions, create jobs and meet the objectives of the 2035 Automotive Masterplan, while taking advantage of the global shift to new technology vehicles and capitalising on its mineral resources. Electricity provision to charge said vehicles, of course, is another problem entirely.?

?? GO/NO-GO

Ethiopian Airlines has recently implemented a ban on the use of the widely-recognised “Ghana Must Go” bags on its flights departing from Nigeria, citing potential damage to airline equipment. Although the ban is currently specific to Nigeria, many African countries embrace this versatile bag, known by different names in each region. In Kenya, they are referred to as “Nigeria bags,” while in Zimbabwe, they are called “Botswana bags.” Ironically, despite its origins tied to xenophobic actions, the bag has evolved into a pan-African symbol of travel.

???? FARMER YACOUBA

Renowned Burkinabé farmer Yacouba Sawadogo, passed away on 3 December, leaving behind a transformative legacy. Born in 1946, Sawadogo converted barren land into a nearly 40-hectare forest, introducing over 60 tree and bush species. This earned him the nickname “The Man who Stopped the Desert”. His innovative approach, honoured with the 2018 Right Livelihood Award, showcased the power of sustainable farming amidst challenges. Utilising traditional Za? techniques during a severe 1980s drought, Sawadogo's methods rejuvenated soil, empowering farmers against desertification and climate change. Sawadogo's life is a testament to the potential of sustainable agriculture, leaving an enduring imprint on environmental stewardship.

?? BYTE-SIZE TECH: BIOMETRIC BLUNDER

The Kenyan High Court’s suspension of the government’s new biometric digital ID project, the Maisha Namba, has shades of déjà-vu. Nonprofit the Katiba Institute has accused the Ministry of Interior of failing to carry out a data protection impact assessment as required by law. This is the same issue that saw its forerunner, the Huduma Namba, deemed unconstitutional in 2021 as a result of a legal challenge filed by the same organisation. This repetition of history calls into question the government’s commitment to data protection, especially considering intentions to implement a digital public infrastructure (DPI) system inspired by India. This model has been criticised for repeated data breaches, highlighting the need for Kenya’s new system to take account of data processing risks and mitigation measures.

??? CHATHAM HOUSE: REGIONALISATION OF CONFLICT IN THE HORN OF AFRICA

Chatham House’s research event, Regionalisation of conflict in the Horn of Africa on 14 December, will explore the political and security crises taking place in the region since 2018, which has seen the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023 and the ongoing conflict in northern Ethiopia. Panellists will consider the growing regionalisation of conflict, its connection with national interests, and advocate for coordinated actions among regional and international stakeholders to foster stability in the area. The event will be available to watch online.

?? FUTURE OF FILM AFRICA?

The Future of Film Africa Incubation Programme 2024 aims to equip participants with the skills necessary to develop their project, from concept to a market-ready proposal. The ultimate goal is to successfully fund final projects and empower participants to build sustainable businesses based on their creations. Applications close on 12 January 2024.?

?? BRITTLE PAPER 100 BOOKS

Time to top up your to-read shelf? Looking for inspiration? Literary publication Brittle Paper has released an excellent list of 100 notable African books published in 2023. An annual tradition, the list spans genres, countries and trends, showcasing the rich literary talent of the continent’s authors, both established and at the beginning of their careers. An impressive 26 countries are represented in this year’s edition, including debuts by authors from Benin, Western Sahara and Mauritius.

?? NICE TO MEET YOU – PINKPANTHERESS FT. CENTRAL CEE

Kenyan-English singer-songwriter Victoria Walker aka PinkPantheress has experienced a meteoric rise to fame despite – or perhaps because of – her mystique. Arguably one of the biggest breakthrough artists from the UK’s pop scene, PinkPantheress’ tracks rarely breach the three-minute mark, and her debut album Heaven Knows wasn’t accompanied by a sophisticated publicity campaign. “Nice to meet you” exemplifies her talent at generating online virality, taking a minimalist approach to early 2000s pop nostalgia that suits both TikTok and global radio waves.

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