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Niš advances SDG localisation in Serbia with first Voluntary Local Review

Michael Simire
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Niš advances SDG localisation in Serbia with first Voluntary Local Review

Two months after the launch of its first Voluntary Local Review (VLR), the City of Niš is demonstrating how local insights can drive actionable strategies for sustainable development.

Niš
Niš, Serbia

As the first city in Serbia and only the third in Southeast Europe to produce a VLR – a process aimed at evaluating local actions and performance related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Niš has laid the groundwork for aligning its urban development efforts with the SDGs.

The VLR, developed in collaboration with UN-Habitat, UN-DESA, UNECE, and UCLG, offers concrete recommendations addressing some of the city’s key urban challenges, including youth employment and climate resilience. A standout feature of the VLR is its integration of the Quality-of-Life Index, which combines objective and subjective data to inform evidence-based decision-making and track urban well-being.

From recommendations to action

The VLR outlines 26 indicators across 12 SDGs, providing a detailed picture of Niš’s urban performance. Among its key recommendations is a policy proposal to improve local employment opportunities for young professionals and vulnerable groups. While immediate actions based on this recommendation are still in the planning stages, they are expected to be incorporated into ongoing urban policies and programmes.

Niš’s VLR process has already strengthened the city’s capacity for SDG monitoring through the establishment of a dedicated monitoring unit. By ensuring the collection, analysis, and verification of SDG-related data, the unit enables the city to make informed decisions and measure progress toward sustainable development goals.

“Monitoring at the local level in Serbia had not been introduced systematically before the VLR of Niš,” said Siniša Trkulja, National Coordinator for the development of the VLR at the Agency for Spatial Planning and Urbanism. “This approach, harmonized with global recommendations, opens the door to better implementation and improvements in quality of life for all citizens.”

Inspiring national and regional action

The VLR’s success in Niš has sparked interest at the national level, with plans to scale up SDG localisation through a joint SDG fund project supported by UNICEF, UNEP, and UN-Habitat. This initiative aims to build the capacity of Local Self-Government (LSG) officials and support up to 20 municipalities across Serbia in developing their own VLRs.

“The VLR encourages collaboration among all stakeholders, enabling communities to collectively address local and global challenges,” said Tanja Obradović, Local-Regional Coordinator for the development of the VLR at the Ministry of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure. “By bringing together diverse perspectives, the VLR helps identify relevant solutions and ensures that no one is left behind in sustainable development.”

Deployment of clean energy technologies reshaping global electricity sector – IEA report

Michael Simire
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Deployment of clean energy technologies reshaping global electricity sector – IEA report

New report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) finds that strong deployment of renewables is set to curb growth in coal use even as electricity demand surges, with China – the world’s biggest coal consumer – remaining pivotal.

Solar panels
Solar panels

After reaching a new high in 2024, global demand for coal is set to level off in the coming years as a surge in renewable power helps to meet soaring demand for electricity around the world, according to a new IEA report.

Coal 2024 – the new edition of the IEA’s annual coal market report, which analyses the latest trends and updates medium-term forecasts – shows that global coal use has rebounded strongly after plummeting at the height of the pandemic. It is poised to rise to 8.77 billion tonnes in 2024, a record.

According to the report, demand is set to stay close to this level through 2027 as renewable energy sources play a greater role in generating power and coal consumption levels off in China.

The electricity sector in China is particularly important to global coal markets, with one out of every three tonnes of coal consumed worldwide burned at a power plant in the country. In 2024, China continued to diversify its power sector, advance the construction of nuclear plants and accelerate its huge expansion of solar PV and wind capacity. This should help limit increases in coal consumption through 2027, according to the report, though it also highlights a number of key uncertainties in its analysis. 

Electricity use in a number of countries, including China, is growing at a strong pace due to a combination of factors, including the electrification of services like transport and heating, rising demand for cooling, and increasing consumption from emerging sectors such as data centres. Additionally, weather patterns could drive fluctuations in coal consumption in the short term. According to the report, coal demand in China by 2027 could be up to 140 million tonnes higher or lower than forecast due to weather-related variability in renewable generation.

“The rapid deployment of clean energy technologies is reshaping the global electricity sector, which accounts for two-thirds of the world’s coal use. As a result, our models show global demand for coal plateauing through 2027 even as electricity consumption rises sharply,” said IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security, Keisuke Sadamori. “However, weather factors – particularly in China, the world’s largest coal consumer – will have a major impact on short-term trends for coal demand. The speed at which electricity demand grows will also be very important over the medium term.”

In most advanced economies, coal demand has already peaked and is expected to keep decreasing through 2027. The pace of decline will continue to depend on the enactment of strong policies, such as those implemented in the European Union, and the availability of alternative power sources, including cheap natural gas in the United States and Canada.

Meanwhile, demand for coal is still increasing in some emerging economies where electricity demand is rising sharply along with economic and population growth, such as India, Indonesia and Viet Nam. In emerging economies, growth is mainly driven by coal demand from the power sector, although industrial use is also going up. 

Coal prices today remain 50% higher than the average seen between 2017 and 2019. Coal production reached an all-time high in 2024, though growth is expected to flatten through 2027 as structural changes take hold.

International trade of coal by volume is also set to reach a record in 2024 of 1.55 billion tonnes. However, looking ahead, global trade volumes are set to shrink, with thermal coal seeing the biggest decline. According to the report, Asia remains the centre of international coal trade, with all of the largest importing countries in the region, including China, India, Japan, Korea and Viet Nam, while the largest exporters include Indonesia and Australia. 

Don calls for safeguarding of African forests via harmonised biosecurity policies

Michael Simire
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Don calls for safeguarding of African forests via harmonised biosecurity policies

 African nations have been called upon to safeguard their forests from the proliferation of invasive insect pests by implementing harmonised biosecurity policies.

Dr Bridget Aito-Bobadoye
Dr Bridget Aito-Bobadoye

Dr Bridget Aito-Bobadoye, a visiting Assistant Professor at D. B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, made the call while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin on Friday, December 3, 2025.

Aito-Bobadoye described biosecurity as the prevention of disease-causing agents entering or leaving any place, posing risks to farm animals, humans, or the safety and quality of food products.

Aito-Bobadoye said that emerging or re-emerging invasive insect pests and pathogens must be stopped before entering borders or new forests to impact the forests’ ecosystems negatively.

“This will help protect human, animal, and environmental health and secure food safety.

“Forests in Africa are becoming fragmented at an alarming rate, and this is causing huge ecological imbalances.

“Insect pest invasions and outbreaks are becoming more frequent with more severity, which is exasperated by climate change,” she said.

The don, who is also a principal research fellow at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), said this had increased biosecurity threats such as insect pests and infectious pathogens.

According to her, this can endanger food security, negatively impact human or animal health, and even cripple national economies.

Observing that most African countries had weak regulatory policies to stop the proliferation of insect pests and pathogens within and outside their borders, she called for a regional biosecurity act.

The act, she said, would serve as a solution to implementing emergency pest response programmes across the continent.

She also called for inter-border collaboration between immigration services and forest departments, especially phytosanitary commissions, to prevent the spread of invasive insect pests from local to global forests.

Regarding Nigeria, the don says the nation’s borders are not tight enough, making the surveillance and detection of biosecurity threats extremely challenging.

According to her, the movement of goods, such as unprocessed wood products, firewood, and lumber, through popular trade routes, is unregulated.

“Developing a national biosecurity framework will, therefore, scale up the preparedness against sporadic insect pest outbreaks within Nigeria’s borders,” she said.

Aito-Bobadoye’s research focuses on the ecology of Cerambycid pests, such as longhorn beetles.

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Report links alcohol to increased risk of seven cancers

Michael Simire
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Report links alcohol to increased risk of seven cancers

A report on alcohol consumption and cancer risk published on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, has highlighted considerable health risks – particularly an increased risk of at least seven types of cancer, including breast cancer, liver cancer and colon cancer.

Alcohol
Alcohol

Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, twitted on Friday: “Today, I’m releasing a Surgeon General’s Advisory on the causal link between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk. Alcohol is the 3rd leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., contributing to about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths each year.”

Murthy is calling for new warning labels on alcoholic drinks that inform consumers of the health risks.

“Many people out there assume that as long as they’re drinking at the limits or below the limits of current guidelines of one a day for women and two for men, that there is no risk to their health or well-being,” Murthy said in an interview with the New York Times. “The data does not bear that out for cancer risk.”

Ireland recently became the first country in the European Union (and second worldwide after South Korea) to better regulate booze by adding cancer warnings and health information to alcohol products. Meanwhile, the U.S. hasn’t updated its own alcohol warning labels in 36 years – despite the fact that it learned a lot since then about alcohol and its associated health risks.

Globally, only a quarter of countries require health warnings on alcohol, according to the New York Times. The U.S. is one of those countries, but labels here haven’t been updated since 1989.

Currently, warning labels say that “women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects” and that “consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.”

One recent study found that when young men looked at alcohol warning labels that were larger and included a picture of a young man with a bloody face, they experienced “lower activation of the reward circuits in their brains,” and the warning labels “significantly reduced their reported desire to drink.”

Another study conducted in the Yukon in Canada found that adding labels to alcohol that included information on cancer risks not only reduced alcohol sales, but it also found that people who bought alcohol with the new warning labels better remembered information about national drinking guidelines and cancer risks.

Experts emphasise that updating warning labels won’t necessarily guarantee changes in behaviour, but providing more information – and making that information easier to find – can help people become better informed, which may lead to modifications in drinking habits.

Agricultural climate policies affect food prices differently in poor, wealthy countries – Study

Michael Simire
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Agricultural climate policies affect food prices differently in poor, wealthy countries – Study

Farmers are receiving less of what consumers spend on food, as modern food systems increasingly direct costs toward value-added components like processing, transport, and marketing.

ActionAid Agriculture
Agriculture

A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) shows that this effect shapes how food prices respond to agricultural climate policies: While value-added components buffer consumer price changes in wealthier countries, low-income countries – where farming costs dominate – face greater challenges in managing food price increases due to climate policies.

“In high-income countries like the U.S. or Germany, farmers receive less than a quarter of food spending, compared to over 70 percent in Sub-Saharan Africa, where farming costs make up a larger portion of food prices,” says David Meng-Chuen Chen, PIK scientist and lead author of the study published in Nature Food.

“This gap underscores how differently food systems function across regions.” The researchers project that as economies develop and food systems industrialise, farmers will increasingly receive a smaller share of consumer spending, a measure known as the ‘farm share’ of the food dollar,” adds Chen.

“In wealthy countries, we increasingly buy processed products like bread, cheese or candy where raw ingredients make up just a small fraction of the cost,” adds Benjamin Bodirsky, PIK scientist and author of the study. “The majority of the price is spent for processing, retail, marketing and transport. This also means that consumers are largely shielded from fluctuations in farm prices caused by climate policies such as taxes on pollution or restrictions on land expansion, but it also underscores how little farmers actually earn.”

Examining the full food value chain to uncover climate policy impacts

To arrive at these conclusions, the team of scientists combined statistical and process-based modelling to assess food price components across 136 countries and 11 food groups. They studied prices of food both consumed at home and away from home. “Most models stop at farm costs, but we went all the way to the grocery store and even the restaurant or canteen,” says Chen.

By analysing the entire food value chain, the researchers also provide new insights into how greenhouse gas mitigation policies impact consumers: “Climate policies aimed at reducing emissions in agriculture often raise concerns about rising food prices, particularly for consumers. Our analysis shows that long supply chains of modern food systems buffer consumer prices from drastic increases, especially in wealthier countries,” explains Chen.

“Even under very ambitious climate policies with strong greenhouse gas pricing on farming activities the impact on consumer prices by the year 2050 would be far smaller in wealthier countries,” Bodirsky says.

Consumer food prices in richer countries would be 1.25 times higher with climate policies, even if producer prices are 2.73 times higher by 2050. In contrast, lower-income countries would see consumer food prices rise by a factor of 2.45 under ambitious climate policies by 2050, while producer prices would rise by a factor of 3.3. While even in lower-income countries consumer price rises are less pronounced than for farmers, it would still make it harder for people in lower-income countries to afford sufficient and healthy food.

Climate policies essential for safeguarding agriculture and food systems in the long run

Despite food price inflation, poor consumers do not necessarily need to suffer from climate mitigation policies. A previous study by PIK (Soergel et al 2021) showed that if revenues from carbon pricing were used to support low-income households, these households would be net better off despite food price inflation, due to their higher incomes.

“Climate policies might be challenging for consumers, farmers, and food producers in the short term, but they are essential for safeguarding agriculture and food systems in the long run,” says Hermann Lotze-Campen, Head of Research Department “Climate Resilience” at PIK and author of the study.

“Without ambitious climate policies and emission reductions, much larger impacts of unabated climate change, such as crop harvest failures and supply chain disruptions, are likely to drive food prices even higher. Climate policies should be designed to include mechanisms that help producers and consumers to transition smoothly, such as fair carbon pricing, financial support for vulnerable regions and population groups, and investments in sustainable farming practices,” notes Lotze-Campen.

Kaduna, 2nd PH refineries undergoing comprehensive overhaul – NNPC 

Michael Simire
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Kaduna, 2nd PH refineries undergoing comprehensive overhaul – NNPC 

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), says the 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery are undergoing a comprehensive overhaul, designed to meet world-class standards.

NNPC
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari

The company said the rehabilitation done at the 60,000 bpd Port Harcourt Refinery and Warri Refinery was not the typical Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the past, but a comprehensive overhaul, designed to meet global standards.

The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd., Olufemi Soneye, made the clarification in a statement on Thursday, January 2, 2025, while responding to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s comments on the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

The former president had earlier expressed doubts about the operational status of the rehabilitated 60,000 bpd Port Harcourt refinery and Warri refinery.

Obasanjo had said that the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) advised against the Port Harcourt Refinery’s viability due to corruption, and alleged that the NNPC Ltd. misled Nigerians by claiming that its refineries are operational.

Reacting, Soneye said that a notable achievement of the NNPC Ltd. was the overhauling of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, while similar efforts were underway at the second Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries.

He said the NNPC Ltd was committed to enhance and maintain the refineries to global standards for sustainable operations.

Soneye, however, invited the former President to visit the rehabilitated refineries and witness firsthand the progress made under the leadership of NNPC Limited.

“We extend an invitation to our esteemed former president to join us in this historic journey.

“His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we deeply appreciate his insights and guidance, which will always be welcomed and cherished.

“We hold President Olusegun Obasanjo in the highest regard as a respected statesman who has made significant contributions to the growth and progress of Nigeria.

“His dedication to national development and his right to speak on matters of national importance are both deeply respected,” he said.

Highlighting NNPC’s transformation, Soneye said that it had evolved into NNPC Limited, a private entity that transitioned from being a loss-making organisation to a profit-oriented global energy leader.

Under this new model, he said the NNPC Limited had expanded beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company.

“Our focus is not only on harnessing traditional resources but also on developing cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable energy solutions to meet Nigeria’s growing demands.

“This progress has been driven by the visionary leadership of the NNPC Limited board and the management team led by GCEO Mele Kyari, alongside President Bola Tinubu’s transformative policies in the energy sector,” he said.

By Emmanuella Anokam

Ogoni clean-up: HYPREP upbeat on completion of projects in 2025

Michael Simire
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Ogoni clean-up: HYPREP upbeat on completion of projects in 2025

The Project Coordination Office of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has expressed determination to complete a significant number of its projects in 2025.

Nenibarini Zabbey
Project Coordinator, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey

Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator of HYPREP, who made this pledge in a statement on Friday, January 5, 2025, in Abuja, said that the emerging projects would require robust community content and participation.

“Notably, a significant number of these projects will be completed for public use in 2025.

“The projects involve soil and groundwater remediation, shoreline clean-up and mangrove restoration.

“Others are constructing the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), Ogoni Specialist Hospital, Buan Cottage Hospital, Ogoni Power Project, potable water schemes and various livelihood packages.’’

According to him, the HYPREP will also commence the socio-economic study of Ogoniland in 2025.

“The research will produce a robust blueprint for the post-cleanup socio-economic development of Ogoni.

“Similarly, a three-year comprehensive public health (human bio-monitoring) study of the Ogoni people will start by the second quarter.

“Thus, we are confident that these new projects will create additional jobs and enhance the capacity of Ogoni youth and women through well-thought-out recruitment training and hands-on learning.

“We shall also thoroughly characterise the high-risk, complex sites leading to remediation execution.

“Correspondingly, we will conduct a carbon stock assessment of mangrove restoration shorelines, commence the RAMSAR accreditation of Ogoni mangroves.’’

Zabbey said the project would also intensify the off-site research on the West African bloody cockle spat production and conduct field stocking trials to boost local livelihoods, among other earmarked projects and activities.

“Achieving the 2025 goals of the Ogoni clean-up requires strong visibility, linkages and partnership.

“We shall continue to communicate lessons learned, seek your input and process our data to knowledge products to advance the knowledge and practice of hydrocarbon remediation.’’

Zabbey commended the Federal Government’s commitment through HYPREP for creating opportunities for Ogoni youths.

The project coordinator said that a list of no fewer than 300 successful candidates (100 for PhD and 200 for Masters) for the Ogoni postgraduate scholarship had been released.

“2024 was quite eventful for us at the Project Coordination Office as we accelerated the Ogoni Cleanup in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda; consequently, we simultaneously implemented over 130 projects.

Zabbey commended Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment and the Chairman of the Governing Council of HYPREP, for his support to the Ogoni community.

By Abigael Joshua

Boosting road infrastructure through Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project

Michael Simire
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Boosting road infrastructure through Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is a major road project aimed at connecting coastal cities in Nigeria’s south.

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road
Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road

The highway will connect Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, and have three lanes in each direction.

The Federal Government officially announced the conception of the N15.6 trillion ($12.5 billion) project in March 2024, and construction began shortly after, with President Bola Tinubu officially flagging off the project.

According to Tinubu, the 700km road will revolutionise transport across Nigeria and boost tourism and economic growth.

The president gives the assurance that the project, to include a rail line, will be a landmark treasure while serving as a good precedent in timely provision of world-class infrastructure.

He emphasises the long-lasting impact of the project and its significance, saying that the project expected to be completed within eight years, symbolises a brighter future, fostering hope, unity and economic prosperity.

Tinubu is delighted that the highway will connect communities, create opportunities for millions of people and ultimately encourage bold actions essential for the nation’s progress.

The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, is satisfied that the coastal highway will significantly reduce travel time and transport costs in the area.

He says its improved connectivity will boost trade, tourism and overall economic development.

Umahi is convinced that the project will generate numerous employment opportunities during construction and operation.

He expresses the commitment of the Federal Government to delivering the project to Nigerians in time, assuring that the 47km currently under construction will be completed by May 2025.

“The construction of the train track for section I is going to take off in 2025, and we believe strongly that the President is going to give Nigerians the road infrastructure that they have been yearning for.

“We are going to plant trees and, of course, we are going to also have some laybys.

“We can decide that, in every five kilometers, we have a layby where we connect all our CCTV cameras, and then, we have vehicles and  security within the cabin there, so that the response time will be like 10 minutes,” he explains.

Umahi is confident in the ability of the contractor, HITECH Construction Company, to deliver the project as scheduled.

However, critics have raised some concerns about the project, including its potential to cause job losses, and alleged lack of transparency in the project’s planning and execution.

They also ask whether the project is a priority.

In spite of the criticisms, the landmark project has received support from stakeholders.

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Works says the highway is a work in progress, passing a vote of confidence in the minister of works.

The committee has pledged adequate support for the Federal Ministry of Works in the execution of the project, endorsing it as a legacy and praising Tinubu for its conception.

The Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Ikeja Branch, Mrs. Nimot Muili, believes that the project will boost economic growth by facilitating trade, commerce and investment.

According to her, it will also offer valuable learning opportunities for engineers at all levels.

Muili is delighted that the project is showcasing the importance of collaboration among engineers from different organisations in achieving significant infrastructure projects.

“The level of professionalism being displayed by all involved is really commendable.

“That means that Nigerian engineers are doing very well, and we can do better,’’ she argues.

On the use of concrete in the coastal highway construction, Mr Kunle Awobodu, a former President of the Nigerian Institute of Building, is satisfied.

According to him, concrete is more durable compared to asphalt, particularly in environments where water is a significant threat.

“Water is a major threat to asphalt roads while concrete is more resistant to its damaging effects.

“However, both concrete and asphalt roads require a solid base for proper support,” he argues.

Mr Olumide Adewebi, the immediate past Vice-President International, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, affirms that concrete is more suitable for roads experiencing heavy traffic.

According to the surveyor, concrete will withstand wear and tear caused by numerous vehicles and prevent formation of potholes.

“I think that the fact that the minister of works is a seasoned engineer has a huge influence on this new direction of the Federal Government,” Adewebi says.

According to him, although concrete may have higher initial costs, savings in maintenance, reduced need for frequent repairs, and improved traffic flow will outweigh the costs.

He, however, emphasises the need to follow specifications and standard procedures during the construction to ensure quality.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, remarks that the contractor handling the coastal highway project has been diligent.

She is optimistic that the contractor will keep to the project’s design and meet the completion deadline.

According to her, the highway project is listed as a flagship project of the Tinubu administration due to its significant benefits.

Analysts urge diligence and transparency in the execution of the coastal highway project.

 By Lydia Ngwakwe, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Senegal, Mauritania new gas project signals new era of energy security in West Africa – AEC 

Michael Simire
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Senegal, Mauritania new gas project signals new era of energy security in West Africa – AEC 

Senegal and Mauritania have reportedly achieved a historic milestone with the start of operations at the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) development. Project developers bp and Kosmos Energy, alongside Senegal’s national oil company (NOC) Petrosen and Mauritania’s NOC Societe Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures (SMH), have officially opened the first well of the GTA project, signaling the start of technical operations and a new era of gas-driven development and energy security in West Africa.

Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA)
The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG project

While applauding the development, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) stated that Senegal and Mauritania’s NOCs and energy ministries have shown the value of public-private collaboration, demonstrating how strong partnerships, contracts and pro-investment policies can position African nations as global gas producers.

“We should give the governments of Senegal and Mauritania the credit they deserve; they have worked tirelessly to make sure the GTA project can succeed. With this achievement, Senegal and Mauritania are rapidly on their way to become international LNG exporters,” submitted the AEC.

The GTA development achieved first gas at 16:00 on December 31, 2024. The project will produce gas from reservoirs located 120 kilometres offshore in 2,850 metres of water, through a four-well subsea system tied back to the FPSO which will process the well fluids. Liquids will be offloaded to shuttle tankers, while gas will be transported by pipeline from the FPSO to a 2.5 million tons per annum (mtpa) FLNG vessel, moored behind a dedicated concrete breakwater.

This structure will protect the FLNG vessel plus various accommodation and utility platforms, together known as the GTA hub terminal. The project developers aim to establish an offshore production complex, with development wells connected to an FPSO vessel, as well as the FLNG ship and the structures that will support it. That complex is already more than 75% complete and, by this time next year, it will be nearly ready to start operating.

With 425 billion cubic meters (bcm), the GTA block is a large-scale deposit. With a production capacity of 2.5 mtpa in the first phase and 5 mtpa in the second phase – dependent on whether the project developers decide to double the FLNG infrastructure capacity -, the project offers a crucial new supply for European consumers and a strategic revenue source for Senegal and Mauritania.

While the project won’t necessarily be filling the gap left by Russia – after export and regasification, the first phase of GTA will export the equivalent of 3.69 bcm – it will play a strategic part in diversifying global supply chains and driving sustainable economic growth in Senegal and Mauritania. While the project’s first phase prioritises exports, the second phase features a strong local gas component for both nations.

Looking ahead, the start of production at GTA is poised to not only reinforce West Africa’s potential as an oil and gas hub in West Africa but attract a fresh slate of players to capitalise on growth opportunities in the region. This will be further supported by Senegal and Mauritania’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for foreign investment. Both countries have made significant strides in recent years to prioritise the sanctity of contracts, reform their regulatory and legal frameworks while enticing local participation and cross-border commerce.

Senegal has made a point of updating its 1998 Petroleum Code, to take the discovery of GTA and other large offshore fields into account. Mauritania, meanwhile, has set goals of remaining as open as possible to foreign investment and cooperating closely with international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The country is involved in an ongoing process of reform and it’s ready to work with the rest of the world to make the most of its energy resources.

These efforts will culminate in greater capital and technology injection across the market and the respective governments of Senegal and Mauritania should be commended for their commitment to future projects and opportunities, noted the AEC.

It added that, to maintain the pace of oil and gas development, the countries should further protect the sanctity of contracts, providing foreign investors with transparency, security and clarity.

“Projects such as GTA highlight the scale of opportunity that Africa’s gas market offers investors. The project shows that gas is truly good for Africa and will play a major part in accelerating energy security, boosting industrialisation and transforming Africa’s economies. Credit must be given where credit is due. Africans should be proud of bp, Kosmos Energy, Petrosen and SMH.

“The Senegalese government, Mauritanian government, their NOCs and international partners have been instrumental in the development of the GTA project and will continue to be key in driving the success of this and the many gas developments expected to follow,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. 

2025: What you can do about climate change apart from talking about it

Michael Simire
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2025: What you can do about climate change apart from talking about it

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, but for many, it often feels like a distant and insurmountable problem. While discussions about climate change are crucial for raising awareness, action must follow words.

Dr Michael Terungwa David
Dr Michael Terungwa David

So, what can you do beyond just talking about climate change? Here are five practical and impactful steps you can take to make a difference this year 2025.

Firstly, Adopt a Sustainable Lifestyle. Your everyday choices matter, by making small adjustments to your daily habits, you can reduce your carbon footprint. For example, turn off lights and unplug devices when not in use. Switch to energy-efficient appliances and LED bulbs.

Limit Water Waste; Fix leaks, use water-saving fixtures, and collect rainwater for non-potable uses. Reduce emissions by walking, biking, or using public transit whenever possible.

Secondly, Rethink Your Consumption Habits. Consumerism drives resource depletion and emissions. Adopting sustainable consumption practices can help combat climate change. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and minimise waste by repairing items, buying second-hand, and recycling. Support Sustainable Brands and choose companies that prioritise eco-friendly practices and materials.

Thirdly, Engage in Climate-Smart Actions at Home. Your home is an excellent place to start contributing to a greener future. Harness renewable energy to power your home-Install Solar Panels. Plant trees and vegetables to promote biodiversity and absorb carbon dioxide additionally you can collect and use rainwater for your garden and other needs.

Additionally, Advocate and Participate in Local Climate Initiatives at the community level, this has far-reaching impacts. Join an environmental group and participate in local actions such as cleanups, tree planting drives, and conservation efforts.

Push for Local Policies and advocate for sustainable urban planning, renewable energy initiatives, and better waste management. Very importantly, educate Others, organise workshops or discussions to share knowledge and motivate collective action.

A key consideration is the for Demand Systemic Change. While individual efforts are vital, systemic change is critical for long-term impact. It is important to Vote for Climate-Conscious Leaders and support for policymakers committed to enacting climate-friendly policies.

Equally important is to hold Government and Corporations Accountable: You should demand transparency and responsibility from the Government and businesses about their environmental practices and Join movements pressuring governments and corporations to take stronger climate action.

Equally important is Support for Climate Education. Knowledge is a powerful tool for change, therefore Educate Yourself and Stay informed about climate science, policies, and solutions. Also, support Climate Education in Schools.

In conclusion, talking about climate change is a starting point, but actions speak louder than words. Whether it’s through lifestyle changes, community engagement, or advocacy for systemic change, everyone has a role to play.

The fight against climate change demands collective effort, and by taking action today, you can contribute to a sustainable future.

Now, the question is: What action will you take?

Happy New Year!

By Dr Michael Terungwa David

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