The Our Ocean Conference in Kenya highlighted the need for countries to manage aquatic foods for people's nutrition, not just for production and trade. A new op-ed argues that African countries should focus on managing fisheries for the nutritional benefits it provides to their people. Fishers in Timor-Leste have been logging their trips and recording data on the gear used, habitats visited, and catch brought home to better understand how small-scale fishing nourishes people. The value of a catch should not just be measured in kilos, but also in the nutrients it provides to local diets. This shift in focus is crucial for inclusive development and social impact in fisheries management. Small-scale fisheries play a crucial role in delivering key micronutrients to 2.3 billion people globally. It is essential to rethink food systems investments and ensure that development institutions are investing enough in this valuable nutritional resource. By managing fisheries not only for production but also for the nutritional benefits they provide, Africa can harness its oceans for greater social impact and inclusive development. Essam Yassin Mohammed, director general of WorldFish, leads efforts to advance research and innovation in aquatic food systems to promote sustainable fisheries management.
Tag: Africa
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Cinergy Mobile Power Debuts Smart, Clean Mobile Energy Solutions for South Africa’s Film and Live Events Industries
Cinergy Mobile Power is revolutionizing the South African film industry by providing clean, quiet, and cost-effective mobile power solutions that replace diesel generators with solar-hybrid and battery-based platforms. With support from climate-focused venture capital firm Holocene, Cinergy's systems have been successfully used in film productions and off-grid events, reducing emissions and saving production costs. The company's collaboration with Netflix for season two of the One Piece series showcased the practicality and cost-effectiveness of their technology, which is expected to scale climate solutions in Africa by working with local solution providers and utilizing high-performance battery solutions from Freedom Won.
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Climate adaptation in Africa needs investment, not imported solutions
African communities are facing the harsh realities of climate change, with erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events threatening livelihoods and food security. Despite contributing the least to global emissions, Africa bears a disproportionate share of climate consequences, leading to migration pressures intersecting with poverty and conflict. Investing in climate adaptation in Africa is not just charitable relief but crucial for economic infrastructure, with every dollar invested yielding four to five dollars in benefits. The world must shift towards investing in African adaptation to avoid repeated emergencies, instability, and lost development, as African countries have the agency, knowledge, and platforms for climate resilience but need financial support to match.
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Investing in movement building: How flexible funding is helping agroecology take root across Africa
The industrial agricultural system in Africa heavily relies on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which are becoming more expensive and harmful to ecosystems and human health. Agroecology, a farming approach that works with nature, is gaining traction as a sustainable alternative to agrochemicals. Grassroots organizations in Africa are leading the movement towards agroecology, but they require flexible and unrestricted funding to drive real systems transformation. ClimateWorks and the African Climate Foundation are supporting these organizations to advance agroecology and reduce the use of agrochemicals across the continent. The grant focused on supporting grassroots leaders in Africa passionate about agroecology, providing flexible funding that allowed for the strengthening of farmer networks and building connections across regions. Local organizations and farmers were able to contextualize solutions in ways outsiders cannot, leading to the development of resilient, locally-led food systems. The importance of deep cultural and ecological knowledge in implementing agroecology was highlighted, with local knowledge informing global discourse and farmers being recognized as active co-creators of solutions. The grant facilitated the establishment of national networks to combat counterfeit agrochemicals and drive policy influence at various levels. Grassroots organizations in Africa are collaborating and learning from each other to address systemic barriers and inequalities within food systems. Trust-based, locally-led funding is seen as more effective in driving systemic change in climate philanthropy. The collaboration between organizations has led to the adoption of new technologies and practices to strengthen interventions. Securing adequate and sustainable financial resources is crucial for deepening agroecological work and reducing inequalities in rural communities. These lessons are shaping the strategy for future climate solutions. The Food and Agriculture program at ClimateWorks focuses on coalition building, narrative shifting, and mutual learning to transition to more sustainable food systems. Frontline actors are essential in these coalitions to increase political representation and create durable solutions. Diverse actors are reframing public narratives about food and agriculture to drive change. Mutual learning across regions accelerates the adoption of new ideas and practices. The program aims to create the conditions for change to be possible and support organizations in creating more sustainable food systems for future generations.
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African Civil Society Calls for Climate Justice Action and Increased Finance as UNFCCC SB64 Opens in Bonn – PACJA
African civil society organizations, represented by the PACJA, are urging a shift from climate promises to the implementation of Climate Justice actions to address urgent realities facing vulnerable communities in Africa. They are concerned about the exclusion of Loss and Damage and National Adaptation Plans from the proposed agenda of the UNFCCC's SB64, emphasizing the need to address the needs of communities already experiencing climate impacts. The PACJA's three key priorities at SB64 are ensuring climate finance delivery, advancing a just transition for Africa, and placing adaptation and resilience at the center of global climate action. They are calling for developed countries to fulfill their obligations under the Paris Agreement, support industrialization and energy access in Africa, and strengthen support for adaptation efforts in the region.
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Afrika Vuka Week 2026
Africa is facing a severe energy crisis with 600 million people lacking electricity access, exacerbated by fuel price spikes, debt distress, and food insecurity. Women are disproportionately affected, spending hours on unpaid care work. Afrika Vuka Week 2026 mobilized for clean energy advocacy rooted in people's power. The Week of Action focused on affordable renewable energy as a human right, with local communities demanding political accountability and a just energy transition. The REPower Afrika campaign emerged as a roadmap for transitioning towards community-owned renewable energy solutions, empowering African nations to lead their own energy transition. The call is for a renewable energy future that is fair, democratic, affordable, and free from debt, urging a shift towards community-led renewable energy to meet the needs of the people and build a sustainable future.
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Expert Opinion: Africa’s climate lessons for the world
Professor Mabhaudhi highlights Africa's experience in managing climate volatility and argues for the continent to lead global conversations on climate and health. Indigenous knowledge, integrated water-energy-food management, and community-based approaches are key to practical climate solutions. The article calls for greater investment in African-led climate and health research, early warning systems, and long-term development financing to address the severe impacts of climate change in Africa, despite the continent contributing only 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
https://lancetcountdown.org/news/expert-opinion-africas-climate-lessons-for-the-world/
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Investments Starting to Grow Nicely In Africa’s Electric Motorcycle Sector
Investors are increasingly supporting scalable electric motorcycle platforms in Africa due to rising fuel costs, demand for affordable transportation, and policy support for clean energy solutions. The electric motorcycle sector in Africa has seen significant growth with over 50 companies active in the space. Spiro recently announced a $215M investment round to accelerate the deployment of its electric motorcycles and battery-swapping infrastructure across Africa. This investment reflects growing global confidence in scalable infrastructure-led business models in emerging markets and supports Africa's transition to electric vehicles and battery-swapping ecosystems to reduce dependence on imported fuel and modernize urban transport systems. Spiro, a company operating in several African countries, has deployed 100,000 electric vehicles and 2,500 smart-swap stations, reducing daily mobility costs for riders by up to 40%. Electric motorcycles have been found to deliver a 72% reduction in climate impact compared to fossil-fuel motorcycles, avoiding approximately 19 tons of CO2 emissions over a vehicle's lifespan. The study also shows an 80% reduction in ozone depletion potential and a 20% reduction in particulate matter emissions, improving urban air quality and reducing public health risks. Spiro's expansion and investment in electric mobility are seen as a significant step towards sustainable transportation solutions in Africa.
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AfDB dashboard to track Africa’s electrification progress
The African Development Bank Group has launched the Mission 300 Progress Tracker to monitor the expansion of electricity access in Africa, aiming to connect an additional 300 million Africans by 2030 through various projects. With 74 active projects across multiple countries benefiting 5.2 million people and an additional 35 million expected to benefit in the future, the focus is on rural electrification and decentralized renewable energy solutions to accelerate energy access in remote areas. The dashboard will provide regular updates to improve transparency on the progress of energy projects in Africa.
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5 pieces of good climate news that you probably missed recently
Global efforts towards climate accountability, energy sovereignty, and renewable energy are gaining momentum, with the United Nations affirming governments' legal responsibility to act on climate change. Pacific communities are embracing community-owned solar systems, while countries in Southeast Asia are increasingly turning to rooftop solar as global fuel prices rise. Polling across 13 countries shows growing support for renewable energy and a shift away from fossil fuels, as people demand cleaner, fairer, and more affordable energy systems. Activists in Africa are mobilizing for affordable, community-owned renewable energy, challenging the narrative of fossil fuel expansion. The transition to a safer, fairer, and more affordable energy future is already underway, with communities organizing, families choosing renewable energy, and young people demanding accountability.
https://350.org/5-pieces-of-good-climate-news-that-you-probably-missed-recently/