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GEF, UNDP food security scheme described as consistent with government programme

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GEF, UNDP food security scheme described as consistent with government programme

The forthcoming Integrated Landscape Management to Enhance Food Security and Ecosystem Resilience in Nigeria Project has been identified for being consistent with the Federal Government’s current agricultural programme to ensure food security.

GEF UNDP WOFAN
Participants at the meeting

Making this known in his presentation titled: “Integrated Landscape Management to Enhance Food Security and Ecosystem Resilience in Nigeria” at a pre-inception meeting with stakeholders for the project held Thursday, December 7, 2017 at the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) Conference Hall in Kano, Kano State, climatologist and lead consultant to the project, Prof. Emmanuel Oladipo, stated that the project is consistent with what the Federal Government is already geared towards in developing agriculture.

He maintained that there is really no need to import food for the country once agricultural potentials are tapped, a goal of the food security and ecosystem resilience project.

According to Prof. Oladipo, the scheme is poised to enhance productivity and promote sustainability and Resilience of Nigeria’s agricultural production systems for improved national food security in the face of dwindling oil revenues in the country and beyond.

In his remarks, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Focal Person on Environment, Mr Muyiwa Odele, stated that the importance of the project cannot be overemphasised as, according to him, it is rooted in the national priority of the Federal Government.

“There is no better time to start talking of food security than now considering the decline in oil prices worldwide and many countries are now phasing out dependence on oil.

“The population of the country is increasing, therefore, we hope to strengthen the food chain system in the country against climate change as well as work with both the state and federal levels in eventually feeding the country and beyond conveniently,” he added.

Also speaking, Deputy Director, Agriculture Mechanisation, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abdullahi Abubakar, assured that the project has come to stay and they will do every thing possible to sustain it.

Stressing further, Abubakar, an engineer, noted that women would greatly benefit from the project as they are deeply involved in agricultural processing which is a target.

In her remarks, Founder and Executive Director, WOFAN, Hajia Salamatu Garuba, who extolled the project for being gender-sensitive, stated that it would make it a reality for women to come together and use agriculture as a livelihood.

Hajia, who stated that nutrition and adaptation to climate change are big components of the project, expressed the hope that it would groom a lot of youth and women by attracting them to agriculture as a source of livelihood and discourage rural to city influx.

The meeting was the first in a two-day workshop of the Local Project Appraisal Committee (LPAC) inception meeting toward ensuring Resilience for Food Security in the Savanna Zones of Northern Nigeria.

The five-year project, which is expected to kick-off in 2018 in the seven states of Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, Adamawa, Nasarawa and Benue which already have existing programmes on food security, will have selected project sites in 70 communities of 13 LGAs of Dutsima, Musawa, Kabo, Gwarzo, Jahun, Katungo, Balanga, Yola South, Fufore, Akwanga, Kokona, Otukpo and Ukum respectively, in reflection of the three major agro-ecologies of the northern part of the country’s Savannah Zones.

The project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMoE) and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMoARD).

By Damian Daga

Post-COP23: Government urged to adequately fund climate confab participation

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Post-COP23: Government urged to adequately fund climate confab participation

The Federal Government has been advised to allocate more resources and ensure its timely release to enable Nigeria benefit from the 24th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) scheduled to hold next year in Poland.

Post-COP23 FES
Participants at the Post-COP23 meeting in Abuja

The sentiment was expressed at a Post-COP23 meeting held on Monday, December 4, 2017 in Abuja.

This is even as findings by EnviroNews have revealed that lack of resource appeared to make the 2017 COP23 participants from Nigeria to somewhat lack in coordination.

Participants at the review meeting of the 2017 COP23 comprising civil society organisations (CSOs), Labour and other experts in the environment sector are of the view that Nigeria needs to do more in terms of preparation for such a global gathering.

Speaking with EnviroNews, an environment expert, Prof. Emmanuel Oladipo, said: “The government has to find a way by which resources allocated to the COP will be made available in time.

“Latest by the month of August next year these resources should be made available to the Department of Climate Change so that they can use to coordinate to ensure whoever is supposed to be there, is there in time.

“Nigeria participated effectively (at COP23 in Bonn, Germany), what happened was that because of certain constraints, all of us could not go at the same time and stay for the whole two weeks there. So that could not bring out the type of synergy that could been very ideal.

“However, the lesson from that is that we need to be more prepared; secondly, do a lot more within the country to determine what we need to do and how we should do them to ensure that we contribute maximally to the global effort at reducing climate change.”

Prof. Oladipo explained that the COP23 was to gear up nations into agreeing on the path that they need to take to ensure effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Speaking, the Project Manager, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), Henry Okotie, the convener of the day-long gathering, said that meeting was to review the recently completed COP23 and to share experiences.

He said: “You know before now, we had a pre-COP meeting for Nigerian participants, particularly from the CSOs and Labour, which are our core partners.

“After the COP meeting, we just wanted to look whether the aim of actually going to the COP by the Nigerian state is achieved and what were the presentations there, basically to evaluate the COP meeting, especially that it was hosted by the country where it all began – Germany.

“The meeting is to also share experience and probably improve on how to move forward. Again, to also articulate the various experiences and input that we got from COP23 so that it could be an input for government and policy and decision makers to be able to take into cognisance the role of the CSOs in climate change issues.”

While applauding the government of Nigeria for doing its best on the climate change adaptation, Okotie however, said that the government and other stakeholders need to continue to partner so that the issues of climate change will be taken seriously considering that it has become a global issue.

“Well, whether you are prepared for climate change or not, it is a natural phenomenon but the issue is how prepared are you to adapt to whatever the effect of climate change and most importantly, to mitigate the situation before it gets out of hand.

“That is the essence of the COP meeting, to look into how this climate change can properly save humanity, save jobs and provide better environment and all of that. It could happen anytime, that is why it is necessary that one is prepared for it,” he said.

On her part,  the focal point on Climate Change of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Hauwa Mustapha, called on the government to take proactive measures to ensure that Just Transition is taken seriously for protect workers from being displaced due to the effects of climate change.

“Just Transition is an initiative of the international labour and the whole thing is about the realisation of the fact that climate change is real and the reality of climate is that a lot of traditional things we are used to will definitely change including jobs, particularly, in this era that we are in support of the campaign in keeping fossils in the ground where we begin to look for alternative to fossil fuel, alternative mode of production, greener economy,” she said.

Hauwa further explained that Just Transition is recognising that there is going to be a move to wards a greener economy and that workers need to be re-skilled psychologically, mentally and physically towards the newer jobs.

Responding to a question on whether there is danger ahead if the government fails to take the issue of climate change seriously considering its effect, Hauwa said: “Yes, if the government delays or does not take the appropriate action at the appropriate time, there is going to be industrial conflict because you will find situations where the right policy is not being developed and implemented and that programmes are not adequately put in place to cater for workers in that process.

“Beyond industrial crisis, it is also going to led to social crisis because there will be increase in poverty due to lack of conscious preparation to absorb the shock in the economy. Poverty, you know, can also lead to other social ills.

“These are some of the things we envisage if the government does not take appropriate actions at the appropriate time.”

By Hassan Danmaryam

Over 80m Nigerians lack access to electricity – World Bank

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Over 80m Nigerians lack access to electricity – World Bank

The Federal Government of Nigeria seems to have more work to do in the area of provision of electricity. No thanks to fresh revelations from the World Bank that over 80 million Nigerians have no access to electricity.

Rachid Benmessaoud
Rachid Benmessaoud, World Bank Country Director in Nigeria

World Bank Country Director in Nigeria, Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud, disclosed this on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 in Abuja at the 4th Action Learning Event on Upscalling Mini Grids for low-cost and timely access to electricity. The event was put together by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

Represented by the World Bank Global Lead, Energy Access, Mr. Mac Cosgrove-Davies, the World Bank Country Director said: “Globally, more than one billion people still lack access to electricity; sub-Saharan Africa is home to about 600 million of these.

“In Nigeria, 80 million people are without access, and millions more suffer from poor service. The REA expects mini grids to fill a substantial portion of that gap covering up to 8,000 villages nationwide.

“This is not a job for any one of us alone. As mentioned, the Government of Nigeria is pushing hard toward universal electrification.”

While pledging the continued support of the World Bank to the Nigerian government to enable it provide sufficient electricity to its citizens, Benmessaoud noted: “The Nigerian government has asked the World Bank’s support for a National Electrification Project that focuses on off-grid opportunities including mini grids and the World Bank is delighted to respond to this request.

“We know that our development partners – many in this room – are also standing shoulder-to-shoulder with government on this effort.

“For the World Bank’s part, the National Electrification Project fits well into a broader energy portfolio in Nigeria which aims to holistically support sector development. Together with all of you, we are seeking to help our Nigerian colleagues make the most of international expertise and experience as it fits the Nigerian setting.

“We must all contribute, each in our own way.”

He, however, revealed that the World Bank had provided a $350 million loan for the rapid development of the rural electrification projects in Nigeria.

He added: “With regards to the $350 million loan, yes, indeed, this is a loan to the government. A lot of the funds that go from the World Bank will be provided to the private sector.

Speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Damilola Ogunbiyi, noted:  “From our studies, we realise that Nigerians spend about $14 billion a year on inefficient generation, we also believe that off- grid alternative like creating mini grid and solar home system can easily be at $9.2 billion a year, which will save the Nigerian public and citizens $4.2 billion.”

Earlier the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, while delivering his remarks, said that the summit was timely considering the fact that Nigerian regulators have issued regulations that will govern mini grids and to help scale up and serve the many underserved people of the country and assist them to leverage upon the existing opportunities.

According to him, the rural electrification has become the crux of the federal government, adding that the government is developing very useful data that will help those who see the opportunities that exist in the market to reach them very quickly.

By Hassan Danmaryam

No law banning importation of maize, says minister

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No law banning importation of maize, says minister

Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Heineken Lokpobri, on Thursday, December 7, 2017 said that there was no law banning importation of maize into the country .

Heineken Lokpobri
Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Heineken Lokpobri

He made this known when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development in Abuja.

While responding to questions on why maize importation was being allowed into the country, Lokpobri said it might not be unconnected with three million metric tonnes deficit the nation suffered from its local production last year.

He noted that importation of the food item was not among the 41 others banned.

On his part, the representative of the Comptroller General of Customs, Aminu Dan Galadima, informed the committee that maize importation was not illegal.

According to him, N500 millionwas realised as import duties from it in Port Harcourt alone this year.

Also speaking, a Deputy Director in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olukayode Oluwole, while answering questions from the chairman of the committee, said: “I am not competent to give reasons on how importers of maize get foreign exchange from CBN to import millions of metric tonnes of maize into the country at the detriment of local farmers.”

Upset by the response, the chairman of the committee, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, asked whether his declaration of incompetence be put on record since he was appearing as a representative of the Governor of the bank, he said “yes”.

“I know that my submissions before this committee are on record since you have already put me on oath.

“I can give you sufficient answers to any question raised on Anchor Borrowers Program on rice which has covered 31 States of the federation with its attendant gains and benefits,” Oluwole said.

Apparently annoyed with his submission, the committee chairman and members told him to withdraw from making any presentation on behalf of the bank since he had declared himself incompetent.

“In the first place, you were not the one officially invited by this committee for this investigative hearing but the CBN Governor whom you have not in any way represented well here on account of being incompetent as owned up by you.

“On account of this, this committee advises you to withdraw completely from any form of representation on behalf of the apex bank,” said the committee chairman.

By Naomi Sharang

IITA, NSE launch Nigeria Stockbrokers Agribusiness Group

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IITA, NSE launch Nigeria Stockbrokers Agribusiness Group

As agribusiness thrives in Nigeria, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Corporate Farmers International (CFI) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Thursday, December 7, 2017  launched the Nigeria Stock Brokers Agribusiness Group (NSBAG).

Kwesi Atta-Krah
Dr Kwesi Atta-Krah, Director, Country Alignment and System Integration, IITA

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the official launch was held in Lagos at the IITA premises in Ogba.

Dr Kwesi Atta-Krah, Director, Country Alignment and System Integration, IITA said that it was time to transform agriculture from a mere culture based to a business.

Atta-Krah said that agriculture as a culture was no longer productive.

“It has come to a point where agriculture should not be just a culture but a business.

“It has the potential of economic growth, job creation and revenue generation.

“There is need to create an avenue to engage private sector into agriculture for it to succeed.

“It is therefore, important for everybody to be responsible to ensure that this launch does not end here,’’ he said.

Atta-Krah said it was important for everyone to work together for the goals of the initiative to succeed.

Mr Babatunde Sobamowo, Chairman of NSBAG, said that the necessity of the group was to ensure a growth rate in agriculture contributions to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

Sobamowo said that it was time to raise incomes, reduce poverty level among others via agriculture because farmers were losing money due to the fact that there was no platform to place agricultural products.

“It is time to leverage on the opportunities presented by governments at various levels through some laudable initiatives.

“This initiative will create a lot of business opportunities to be able to access cheap and long term funds at a very low interest rate.

“The average interest rate by the CBN is 14 per cent and there is nobody that can do business with that kind of rate,’’ he said.

Speaking on the sideline, Mr Solomon Olakanmi, Secretary of NSBAG,  told newsmen that it was about time the potentials in making agriculture a business was tapped into via the various value chains.

Olakanmi said that for agriculture to thrive it needed financial resources and the NSE would be playing an intermediary role between investors and producers.

“This will generate substantial income, jobs and wealth for the various stakeholders involved.

“All the sections in agriculture like production, processing and provision of necessary inputs, marketing, trading and funding will be adequately addressed,’’ he said.

The National Coordinator of CFI, Prince Ade Ajayi, said that the future of agribusiness would change with the emergence of NSBAG.

Ajayi said “the launch of NSBAG will turn around and reshaping the economy of our nation.

“CFI had a dream to develop the nation’s real sector economy through agribusiness in collaboration with agribusiness institutions like IITA, Agric Society of Nigeria, FIIRO, NSE,’’ he said.

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Low case finding, contact tracing hinder tuberculosis eradication

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Low case finding, contact tracing hinder tuberculosis eradication

The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTLCP) on Thursday, December 7, 2017 identified low case finding and contact tracing as the major challenges hindering the eradication of tuberculosis in Nigeria.

Isaac-Adewole
Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole

Dr Adebola Lawanson, the programme National Coordinator, made this known at the review meeting organised by Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme in Lagos.

Lawanson said that due to the challenges, the Federal Ministry of Health had deployed health officers, resources and strategies to all the states to enable them to investigate, test and treat people for free.

“The review is to enable stakeholders at all levels and partners in the multi-resistant tuberculosis programme to interact and review the progress so far, identify key implementation challenges and possible solutions to tuberculosis.

“If one patient has tuberculosis, many people may be affected through contact, that is why we stress the need for every tuberculosis patient to be tested and treated on time.

“Those who have been coughing for two weeks or more, experiencing weight loss, night sweat and fever can be tested with machine and get their results within two hours.

“We have to look out for the success of the patient with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, because that is the more complicated tuberculosis,” she said.

Lawanson said that the programme major plan in 2018 was to limit those who would graduate into more complicated tuberculosis by providing more services for the patients.

“Overcoming these challenges will make us give quality care to our tuberculosis patients.

“In 2018, we will still continue with the contact tracing by collaborating with our partners, who provided a mobile truck known as “Wellness on Wheels Approach” for the exercise.

“The trucks are equipped with necessary machines and the main purpose is to take it to the people’s doorstep in every community and educate them on issues of tuberculosis,” she said.

Lawanson said that there would be massive sensitisation on tuberculosis in all primary healthcare centres to help them identify all the symptoms of tuberculosis.

Also, Dr Aderonke Agbaje, the Associate Director, Global Fund Programme of the institute, said that the review was an opportunity for key stakeholders from different states to provide solutions to the identified challenges hindering tuberculosis eradication.

Agbaje said that innovation had been introduced into the tuberculosis treatment by ensuring new case findings and mobilising local resources within their facilities.

“We have over 120 people for this programme, which is in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme.

“The significance of case finding is that every tuberculosis patient not placed on treatment will infect 10 people, which will also increase the spread of the disease.

“When we started the treatment, tuberculosis patients were placed on 24 months treatment regime, which was very long and tedious.

“This made us to introduce new treatment regime, through the collaboration of international companies that will be for just nine or 11 months,” Agbaje said.

By Oluwakemi Oladipo

Power generation: Government told to adopt safe, clean alternatives

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Power generation: Government told to adopt safe, clean alternatives

The Federal Government has been asked to diversify from fossil fuels for power generation to safe and clean alternatives which solar panels, wind and hydro offer.

ERA/FoEN
Iida Simes, a Finnish journalist, speaking during the workshop

Additionally, the authorities were called upon to halt and completely discard ongoing plans to build nuclear reactors in the country, and that details of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with nuclear firm, ROSATOM, and the recently signed agreement should immediately be made public and subject to the purview of relevant stakeholders.

The calls were made at a one-day workshop on Connecting Local Outrage to Global Campaigns Against Nuclear Plants in Lagos on Monday, November 27, 2017. The Centre for Social Change and Citizenship Education (CENSOCHANGE) in partnership with Journalists Initiative for Sustainable Environment (JISE).

Participants were drawn from civil society, the media, community-based organisations, and pro-democracy groups.

At the close of discussions participants observed that:

  • Nigeria is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels for power generation with a heavy price on the environment, lives and livelihoods of locals in the Niger Delta
  • Government’s much-touted plans to diversify from oil to cleaner alternatives has been more of mouth service than very concrete and verifiable actions
  • The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) engagements with ROSATOM to build nuclear plants in Nigeria does not have the consent of majority of Nigerians and is shrouded in secrecy
  • There is total media blackout on matters relating to the planned nuclear plants. The Nigerian government has not been forthcoming on details of the MoU and recent signed agreement with Russia on construction of the reactors
  • Community/civil society consultation is lacking in the ongoing plans to build nuclear plants in Akwa Ibom and Kogi States. Vital groups including women and the vulnerable have been entirely left out in the processes
  • ROSATOM global track-record in relation to safety standards is allegedly questionable

The gathering thus charged government to ensure proper oversight on the activities of NAEC which, it notes, seem to have limitless powers in its engagement with foreign governments.

Participants also want the media to explore the possibility of using the Freedom of Information Act to demand information on the Russia-Nigeria nuclear reactor deal which, they allege, is still under the wraps of the NAEC.

They also demand consultative meetings with community/civil society groups on the plans to build nuclear reactors to sample their views.

“Community consultations which have thus far not been carried out in Akwa Ibom and Kogi states must include women and vulnerable groups to sample their views on hosting of nuclear plants,” the participants said in a communique made available to EnviroNews.

While demanding that more findings on ROSATOM track-record should be conducted, the forum emphasised: “The recently-released ROSATOM Risk Assessment Report by Greenpeace can serve as guide in taking further decisions relating to nuclear plants in Nigeria.”

In his welcome words, chair of CENSOCHANGE, Doifie Buokoribo decried Nigeria’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy generation which, he said, still left the nation with a fluctuating 4,000 megawatts of power, old infrastructure, and forced shut downs of power plants.

Buokoribo said that while it is commendable that the Nigerian government is interested in options outside of fossil fuels, the recourse to nuclear energy when the rest of the world is walking away from that path is very embarrassing and dangerous.

Presentations at the workshop included: “The Little We Know About Nigeria’s Nuclear Plans” delivered by Philip Jakpor of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria and “Some Nuclear Facts” by Iida Simes, a Finnish journalist.

Panel sessions were on the topics such as “Reporting Nuclear Plants in a Freedom of Information Regime” and “Avoiding Another Niger Delta Tragedy: The Role of Civil Society and Host Communities”.

Objectives of the workshops were listed to include:

  • Interrogate Nigeria’s carbonised economy and further drift towards danger and unsustainability through nuclear energy experimentation
  • Stimulate broad-based and structured debate on the secrecy surrounding recent agreements between Nigeria and ROSATOM in the light of the Federal Government’s much-touted transparency and ROSATOM’s track-records in the global energy sector
  • Amplify the role of the media in exposing the myths behind nuclear energy
  • Urge host communities, civil society and Nigerians in general to reject Nigeria’s plans to build nuclear plants
  • Encourage eco-friendly alternatives to the present energy generation sources for the sake of the Nigerian environment, economy and well-being of her citizens

Powerful winds spread wildfires in Los Angeles

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Powerful winds spread wildfires in Los Angeles

The largest of several wind-driven wildfires blazing north of Los Angeles was rapidly expanding to 400 square kilometres on Thursday, December 7, 2017 forcing authorities to order further evacuations.

Los Angeles fire
A fireman watches helplessly as fire consumes a building in Los Angeles

Much of Los Angeles and neighbouring Ventura counties are under the highest fire alerts through Saturday.

Wind gusts on Thursday were hitting 80 to 110 kilometres per hour and forecast to continue into the weekend, lowering relative humidity levels into the teens or lower, the National Weather Service said.

Across the region, more than 100,000 people have been evacuated.

The so-called Thomas fire, centred in Ventura on the Pacific Coast, was known to have destroyed 150 structures with 15,000 more threatened, according to state fire agency CalFire.

The blaze remained only five per cent contained, with more than 2,500 firefighters at the scene.

Nearly 500 fire engines were deployed, as well as 12 helicopters and 26 bulldozers.

“The fire continues to burn actively with extreme rates of spread and long range spotting when pushed by winds,” CalFire said.

“Firefighters continue to work aggressively to protect life and property while working on control efforts around the fire perimeter.”

The National Weather Service has described this week’s conditions as this year’s strongest and longest event of the dry, seasonal Santa Ana winds.

Two other major fires were burning in Castaic Junction, near the Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park, and in the Kagel Canyon area.

Combined, the three largest blazes have scorched about 470 square kilometres, an area more than half the size of the city-state of Berlin.

Firms announce $3m partnership for off-grid energy investment

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Firms announce $3m partnership for off-grid energy investment

The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) and All On on Thursday, December 7, 2017 announced the creation of a $3 million partnership with the goal of expanding access to energy for underserved and unserved markets in Nigeria.

Off-grid lighting Africa
Off-grid lighting attending to the needs of energy poor communities in West Africa. Photo credit: unep.org

Over the next three years, both parties will jointly provide funding for up to 30 Nigerian small and medium enterprises that improve energy access through off-grid energy solutions spanning solar, wind, hydro, biomass and gas technologies. USADF will provide grant funding to the selected companies while All On will provide an equal amount of impact capital in the form of convertible loans and/or equity.

“We are proud to partner with All On to find sustainable solutions to the significant energy gap in Nigeria,” says C.D. Glin, USADF President and CEO. “It is through such collaborative partnerships that we can transform local energy access, identify unexplored opportunities, and bring affordable energy sources to those who need it most.”

According to All On CEO Wiebe Boer, “This partnership with USADF to provide blended capital for Nigerian owned off-grid energy companies is an innovative approach towards investing in Nigerian solutions to the country’s energy gap. We look forward to working with USADF to invest and support the growth of Nigeria’s future off grid energy sector leaders.”

Since 2013, USADF off-grid energy investments have already turned on the lights for over 120,000 people in hard-to-reach areas. USADF has invested over $7.5 million in 75 energy entrepreneurs in nine countries to bring affordable and renewable energy to rural communities across Africa. USADF is a key partner in Power Africa, a U.S. Government-led initiative aimed at doubling the number of people in sub-Saharan Africa who have access to electricity.

“Public-private partnerships are the cornerstone of the Power Africa model, and we are pleased to support USADF and All On to foster the growth of energy enterprises to bring reliable electricity to  more Nigerians,” says Andrew M. Herscowitz, Power Africa Coordinator. “This partnership demonstrates that ‘bankable’ projects do not just exist at the multi-million-dollar level. Nigeria’s off-grid energy sector is full of potential to serve a vast untapped market and this partnership will combine USADF’s grant dollars with private sector funding to produce even greater impact.”

All On is an impact investing company that works with partners to increase access to commercial energy products and services for under-served and unserved markets in Nigeria, with the Niger Delta as the priority region of focus. It seeks both financial returns and social impact to provide or improve access-to-energy for millions of households and SMEs. The company recently announced their first set of debt and equity investments.

Four Nigerian firms among 12 selected for ‘deal room’ at Africa 2017

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Four Nigerian firms among 12 selected for ‘deal room’ at Africa 2017

Twelve fast-growing African companies have been selected to win a place in the Deal Room – a special matchmaking platform for African companies – to be held at the Africa Forum 2017 on December 8 and 9 in Egypt.

Sharm El Sheikh
The Egyptian resort town, Sharm el-Sheikh, hosts Africa Forum 2017

The selected companies will meet and pitch their business to leading investors, private equity firms and venture capital firms to secure funding for their business expansion and growth. They will have a 30 minutes window to achieve this. The 12 companies – hand picked from over 100 entrants from across Africa that applied to participate – were chosen for their strong financial track record, solid revenue, and expansion and export potential. Leading African economic intelligence company Asoko Insight ran the selection process.

Africa 2017 is said to be the biggest B2B and B2G forum to take place in Africa this year, bringing together government delegations from over 30 countries and over 1,000 business leaders from across the continent. The Forum, which holds from December 8 to 9 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, was preceded by a Young Entrepreneurs Day, on Thursday, December 7 aimed to connect tomorrow’s future business leaders, with like-minded entrepreneurs and help them, through a series of workshops and discussions, take their businesses to the next level.

Speaking on the partnership, Asoko CEO and co-founder, Rob Withagen, said, “We are delighted and excited to be an official knowledge partner at the Africa 2017 Forum. African businesses are rapidly growing in number and sophistication, but the challenge of positioning themselves in front of institutional investors and global corporates, remains. Being part of initiatives such as this, designed to enhance private sector cooperation and drive investment in sectors of strategic interest within Africa, is at the core of our vision at Asoko”.

The Deal Room at Africa 2017 will focus on companies from three sectors: i) agri/agribusiness, ii) transport and logistics, and iii) light manufacturing. Each of these industry sectors align with the theme of Africa 2017 to promote inclusive growth and cross border trade in the African region.

The companies selected are : Variable Solutions Pvt Limited, Zimbabwe; Tabbris Oil Mills Limited, Nigeria; Wilson’s Juice Co., Nigeria; Lori Systems, Kenya; Berekotry Ltd., Nigeria; Simplex, Egypt; Tagaddod , Egypt; Sustineo Magnus Limited, Nigeria; Hamaressa Edible Oil Share Company, Ethiopia; Beza Mar Agro Industry P.L.C, Ethiopia; Naviacom, Tunisia;  and Heavymat Industry, Togo.

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