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Zambia climate adaptation expo concludes with call for more finance to save lives

Michael Simire
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Zambia climate adaptation expo concludes with call for more finance to save lives

The largest annual climate adaptation event has concluded in Lusaka, Zambia, with an urgent call for scaled up investment to save lives, lift living standards and boost economic growth.

NAP Expo 2025 focused on strengthening countries’ capacity to advance National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) ahead of COP30 in Brazil and closing the financing gaps that threaten effective climate adaptation.

NAP Expo 2025
Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia, venue of NAP Expo 2025

The Expo also launched updated adaptation guidelines and helped countries to make use of new AI tools to build climate resilience, in many countries for the first time, among other key developments.

“Adaptation isn’t a bill we can skip. If we don’t fund it, the poorest pay in lost harvests, poorer health, and – at worst – with their lives,” said Youssef Nassef, Director of Adaptation at UN Climate Change.

“Around $300 billion is needed annually for climate adaptation by 2030. Governments will spend this amount and much more, whether they like it or not, in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by climate disasters, and importing food due to ruined crops,” said Nassef.

“Much smarter and cheaper is investing in resilience up-front, because this not only saves lives and money, it delivers massive dividends across every sector and every community, transforming lives and economies for the better.”

Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Mike Elton Mposha, said: “We must transform NAPs into investable and bankable plans attractive for investment, including by the private sector. It is also imperative to enhance horizontal and vertical coordination to ensure effective participation of various stakeholders – including women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, local communities and the private sector – in the design and execution of NAPs.”

“Climate change is a matter of life and death for our people. The 2023-2024 drought reduced crop yields by about half, and similarly reduced electricity generation by more than half. This requires a multi-pronged approach across multiple sectors and scales, centred around the critical role of water,” added Douty Chibamba, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment of Zambia.

The Expo, attended by around 400 participants from 80 countries, launched updated technical guidelines, welcomed by least developed countries and others as a strong basis to help nations in designing and implementing their NAPs by 2025, in line with the latest science and the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).

Adaptation plans are vital to ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to the funding and support they need to build resilience to worsening droughts, floods and other climate disasters.

Key outputs from the Expo include:

  • Over six technical sessions focused on promoting mobilisation and access to financing for NAPs: (i) maximising access to existing sources and modalities under the UNFCCC Financial Mechanism; (ii) exploring new sources and modalities of adaptation finance and how countries can mobilise or engage.
     
  • Five sessions aiming to accelerate the uptake and use of frontier and digital technologies in the NAP process, including big data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning.
    • For many participants, it was the first time using AI in supporting the formulation and implementation of NAPs, and the guided sessions provided an introduction to several powerful resources.
       
    • The AI session was so successful that participants requested an additional one, which was offered on the next day and focused on co-producing a sample open NAP to showcase concepts relevant to adaptation assessment, planning and implementation.
       
  • Various sessions strengthened inclusive stakeholder engagement in the NAP process by promoting the incorporation of diverse values and worldviews of Indigenous Peoples and the experiences of local communities, as well as private sector involvement, with a strong focus on vulnerable communities, gender-responsiveness and youth participation.

Fumukazi Zilanie Kamgundanga Gondwe, traditional leader of the Phoka people, Rumphi, Malawi, said: “What we refer to as innovation is often rooted in long-standing Indigenous practices such as seed sovereignty, sacred forest protection, and cultural rituals for ecological balance.”

Ana Toni, CEO of the upcoming COP30 climate conference in Brazil, called on the global community to “transcend outdated mindsets whilst preserving shared values and innovating towards a new planetary renaissance, where humankind regenerates its relationship with itself and with the nature it belongs to.”

“COP30 will serve as a turning point for adaptation, and NAPs must lead the way, build capacity and secure funding to strengthen our efforts. In Belém, adaptation must be elevated to the same level of importance as mitigation on the global agenda, especially as the impacts of climate change have already infiltrated our homes. Together, we have the power to implement meaningful change and safeguard our communities for a more resilient and sustainable future,” Toni added.

Attended by government officials, technical experts, Indigenous leaders, private sector representatives, and development partners, the Expo from August 11 to 15 was marked by a focus on implementation – how to help countries meet the 2025 NAP submission target.

Countries also showcased practical solutions to the Global Goal on Adaptation targets: 

  • Water security: nature-based solutions for urban rainwater harvesting, climate-smart agricultural practices, and restoration of rivers and streams.
  • Food security: climate-smart agriculture techniques improving soil health and yields without expanding land use.
  • Secure Livelihoods: diversified income and strengthened resilience through sustainable resource management.
  • Resilient infrastructure: coastal protection projects rooted in nature-based solutions.

Youssef Nassef expressed deep gratitude to the Government and people of Zambia for their gracious hospitality in hosting this important global event, noting how the Zambian spirit of solidarity, of hope, of collectivism and harmony helped underpin a successful Expo.

As the Expo closed, participants pointed to next month’s Climate Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 1 to 6) convened by UN Climate Change, as another key moment to advance adaptation and resilience, including financing needs, along with other key issues.

By bringing together negotiators with implementers in government and the real economy, along with key financiers including development banks, Climate Week will help lay a foundation for progress on finance, adaptation, mitigation and a Just Transition, in Belém and beyond.

70 years of data show adaptation reducing Europe’s flood losses

Michael Simire
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70 years of data show adaptation reducing Europe’s flood losses

Humans adapt to floods through private measures, early warning systems, emergency preparedness and other solutions. A new attribution study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) shows that such adaptation other than structural flood defences has reduced economic losses from flooding by 63 percent and fatalities by 52 percent since 1950. The study analyses seven decades of historical flood impacts across Europe and demonstrates how adaptation measures have reduced damage over time.

Flood damage is the result of the interaction between hazards, such as heavy rainfall or storm surges, exposure, i.e., how many people and assets are located in vulnerable areas, and vulnerability, i.e., how badly these areas can be affected by flooding. 

Flooding in Russia
Flooding in Russia

“Flood protection and other adaptation measures have largely offset the increasing flood risk from expansion into flood plains and climate change across the continent since 1950,” explains Dominik Paprotny, a PIK researcher and the lead author of the attribution study published in Science Advances.

“Vulnerability has been significantly reduced, but progress in adaptation has been slower in the past 20 years, indicating the need for additional efforts to prevent an increase in flood losses from climate change in the future,” adds Paprotny. 

According to the study, economic losses in Europe due to flooding and the number of people affected have increased by around eight percent since 1950 due to climate change. The research team examined 1,729 floods that occurred across Europe between 1950 and 2020, comparing them in scenarios with and without climate and socioeconomic changes since 1950.

Using historical damage data from these events, the researchers were able to also deduce changes in the level of protection provided by measures such as dykes, dams, early warning systems and changed building regulations at the European level over time. Their results show that increased exposure has dominated the increase in damages. However, improved protective measures and reduced vulnerability have partially offset this trend.

Damages relative to GDP have fallen to one-third

The study identifies the factors behind long-term trends in flood damage in Europe, revealing clear regional differences: Flood protection levels have improved more in western and southern Europe than in eastern and northern parts of the continent. Moreover, the study shows, that vulnerability has declined across the continent – with few exceptions, particularly for the population affected in parts of eastern Europe. 

Absolute economic losses have almost doubled from €37 billion between 1950 and 1960 to €71 billion over the past decade. However, relative to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the study area, the economic impact has decreased significantly in percentage terms, now amounting to around one-third of that in the 1950s. This is because economic growth since the 1950s has outpaced the increase in damages. 

Adaptation has its limits

“We can reduce damage through adaptation, but adaptation has its limits,” says Katja Frieler, lead of the international climate impact model inter-comparison project ISIMIP at PIK and co-author of the study. “As warming increases, we are getting closer to those limits.” In the past four years, multiple particularly severe floods have occurred, such as the Ahrtal flood in Germany in 2021. 

“It is important to continuously monitor progress in adaptation and the impacts of climate change, and to swiftly cut global greenhouse gas emissions to keep climate change impacts within manageable limits,” Frieler concludes.

BAN Toxics stands firm for strong Plastics Treaty as INC-5.2 talks end in deadlock

Michael Simire
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BAN Toxics stands firm for strong Plastics Treaty as INC-5.2 talks end in deadlock

As the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) for the Global Plastics Treaty adjourned without consensus on Friday, August 15, environmental justice organisation, BAN Toxics, joins “ambitious countries” and civil society groups in affirming that “no treaty is better than a weak treaty.”

The deadlock stemmed largely from a draft treaty text introduced on August 13 by INC Chair Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso of Ecuador, which was swiftly rejected by delegates from nearly 200 countries for failing to reflect core demands. The proposal lacked key provisions that ambitious countries and communities have consistently pushed for since negotiations began.

Plastics treaty
Campaigning for a strong plastics treaty

It omitted any mention of “chemicals” or “reuse systems,” excluded measures to cut plastic production, and contained weak language on human health, just transition, and human rights. Moreover, it removed provisions that would allow countries to vote when consensus cannot be reached during the Conference of the Parties, a gap that risks undermining future progress during implementation.

“INC-5.2 was expected to be a decisive step in what should be a historic opportunity to deliver a strong, legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution across its full life cycle. However, instead of meaningful progress, the process fell into disarray as powerful fossil fuel and petrochemical interests – backed by like-minded petro-states – moved to derail negotiations and weaken the treaty,” said Jam Lorenzo, Deputy Executive Director of BAN Toxics.

“We are extremely disappointed by the Chair’s text and its blatant disregard for the protection of human health and the environment. It disrespects three years of negotiations by pushing forward a proposal that does not reflect the will of the majority,” Lorenzo added.

According to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), at least 234 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists were registered at INC-5.2 – outnumbering the combined delegations of the 70 smallest participating countries. Civil society groups including Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) and GAIA warned that such industry dominance risks weakening the treaty by blocking ambition on production cuts and chemical controls.

BAN Toxics, which participated in INC-5.2 as part of the GAIA Asia-Pacific delegation, maintains that a strong treaty must deliver lasting solutions by reducing plastic production at its source, eliminating toxic chemicals, providing fair financial support for countries needing resources to meet treaty obligations, and ensuring a just transition for affected communities, especially waste pickers, fenceline communities, and Indigenous Peoples.

As an advocate for the environmentally-sound management of chemicals and waste, the group emphasised that toxic chemicals in plastics must be addressed as a core element of the treaty. Citing data from PlastChem, which found that more than 16,000 chemicals are used in plastic materials but comprehensive information exists for only a small fraction of them, Lorenzo warned that plastics release harmful chemicals throughout their entire life cycle – from raw material extraction to disposal, highlighting the urgent need for stronger rules on chemical disclosure and traceability.

“In the context of a treaty, we are calling for two critical measures: first, full disclosure of the chemicals used in products so consumers can make informed choices about what they use every day, and second, clear information on the origins of those chemicals. Countries and industries must be held accountable for the products they manufacture,” Lorenzo added.

Meanwhile, BAN Toxics commended Philippine negotiators for standing firm on key issues, including production cuts, chemicals of concern, chemical transparency, toxics-free reuse systems, and a standalone article on health. Lorenzo emphasised that strong political will is essential for securing an ambitious treaty.

According to Lorenzo, the urgency of a robust plastics treaty is especially clear in the Philippines, where plastic waste has become a major driver of flooding. During the recent intense monsoon rains and successive storms, plastic-clogged drains turned rainfall into disaster, contributing to floods that killed at least 30 people and affected millions of residents. The Department of Health also recorded a spike in leptospirosis cases, with 3,037 reported nationwide from January to mid-July 2025, including more than 1,100 cases in just a six-week span, underscoring the public health fallout of flood-driven pollution.

Reliance on the cheapest single-use plastics, driven by widespread poverty, fuels a pervasive “sachet economy” that intensifies pollution in the country. This crisis is further compounded by the influx of imported plastic products and waste, along with high domestic production, which continue to overwhelm the country’s already strained waste management systems.

“We cannot afford a treaty that bows to industry pressure and leaves the most vulnerable populations to bear the heaviest burden. What the world needs now is a strong, ambitious, and binding plastics treaty that prioritises health, justice, and accountability. We call on the Philippine government, all parties, and civil society to hold the line and demand nothing less,” Lorenzo declared.

COP30: Why Africa’s NDCs must align with LT-LEDS, devpt plans – SPP

Michael Simire
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COP30: Why Africa’s NDCs must align with LT-LEDS, devpt plans – SPP

The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) has released a scoping paper titled “On the Road to COP30 and Beyond: Developing an Effective NDCs-LT-LEDS to Guide Africa’s Sustainable Development.” The paper examined the continent-wide landscape of Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS), assessing ambition, governance readiness, net-zero commitments, and the presence of implementation frameworks.

With most nations missing the initial deadline and now racing to meet the extended deadline for the 3rd round of NDCs in September 2025, this report draws lessons from five case countries – Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe – and finds that while most African countries have submitted NDCs, implementation remains weak, driven mainly by severe finance shortfalls.

Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke
Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, SPP President

While the paper lauded African countries for ambitious commitments in NDCs, it lamented that implementation shortfall makes them insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal and by extension Africa’s sustainable development drive.

Although negotiators at COP29 agreed a new global finance goal, outcomes fell short of delivering the scale and operational detail needed by Africa, making COP30 a critical opportunity to turn headline commitments into concrete funding and delivery mechanisms.

According to the report, current global NDCs are insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal hence the need for increased ambition in NDCs 3.0. The paper argues that the next generation of pledges (NDCs 3.0) must both raise ambition and be structured to attract private and public investment through clear, bankable sector targets and implementation roadmaps.

“Africa’s climate pledges risk remaining paper promises unless NDCs and LT-LEDS are reworked into bankable, investment-ready pipelines. This paper aims to lighthouse the path to sustainable development,” said SPP President, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke.

The scoping paper identified common barriers such as misalignment between NDCs and national development plans, weak legal and governance frameworks, a lack of investment-grade sectoral targets, and limited technical and financial capacity to design and deliver bankable projects.

To address these gaps, the paper propose a practical framework for effective NDCs modelling for meeting the ambitious targets centred on five core elements: strong governance structure, alignment with development plans & LT-LEDS, concise sectoral targets, stakeholder engagement and people-centred communication all of which will combine to unlock the investments needed for NDCs implementation.

With COP30 expected to focus on adaptation mechanisms, Africa’s priorities must shift from paper commitments to investment-ready and development-focused climate action that draw private capital and strengthen governance. The scoping paper positions NDCs 3.0 and LT-LEDS as tools not only for emissions reduction targets but for economic transformation – a message expected of African negotiators, finance institutions and national leaders to carry on into Belém.

The report can be downloaded via: https://sppnigeria.org/on-the-road-to-cop30-and-beyond-developing-an-effective-ndcs-lt-leds-to-guide-africas-sustainable-development/

By Ugochukwu Uzuegbu, Communication Specialist, SPP

Protecting harvests from hidden threats: A decade of NemAfrica’s work for farmers

Michael Simire
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Protecting harvests from hidden threats: A decade of NemAfrica’s work for farmers

Nematologist and co-lead of NemAfrica at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Danny Coyne, shares reflections on the work of NemAfrica, which he co-leads alongside Solveig Haukeland at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe). NemAfrica works to tackle nematode pests – microscopic worms, which attack a wide range of key crops, such as potatoes

Danny Coyne
Dr. Danny Coyne

Why NemAfrica?

To combine forces from two institutes and create synergy and critical mass towards expanding nematology research and capacity in Africa.

Looking back over the past 10 years, what has been the most surprising discovery or unexpected challenge in nematology research? 

There are regular discoveries in relation to recording new hosts for certain species of nematode or finding new species or discovering species in new locations, through to discovering new ways and technologies for managing nematode pests. But probably the most surprising discovery was the very high prevalence of potato cyst nematodes across Kenya, and its presence in other east African countries – and as such posing a major threat to the potato industry across East Africa.

When you launched NemAfrica what was the biggest gap in nematology research and how have you filled it?

The biggest gap was probably in the lack of awareness and knowledge by farmers and agricultural staff, and which remains probably the greatest challenge, in that how do we create better knowledge and understanding of nematode pests and how to manage them by farmers.

Are African governments and research institutions doing enough to integrate nematode science into national food security strategies?

Definitely not – which is to a large part through the lack of awareness by researchers and agricultural staff in the first place.

You work with invisible pests. How did you end up chasing microscopic worms underground for a living?

Originally by receiving a grant for my MSc and continued from there.

What efforts are being made to increase the number of nematologists in Africa?

Minimal in general – except through a limited number of initiatives and thereon through individual nematologists. This is why NemAfrica, together with its extensive network of partners is so important in this respect.

Danny Coyne
Dr. Danny Coyne addressing potato farmers about nematodes during a field day in Kenya

Why are farmers battling something they can’t see—and often don’t know exists?

They are not battling exactly as they are unaware of them mostly.  They are battling to overcome reducing yields and lower harvest weights, however, which can be caused by nematode pests; and battling losses due to damaged, deformed or rotted tubers caused by them.

You have helped develop new nematode-resistant potato varieties. How do they work – and can they outsmart the current pests?

We have just introduced two new varieties to Kenya that are resistant to PCN, which were developed naturally by breeders in Scotland. The resistance is durable and works well, but it is always possible for resistance breaking populations of nematodes to develop. Consequently, managing nematode pests is an ongoing battle, as it is against other pests and diseases.

What are the biggest barriers preventing smallholder farmers from adopting nematode-resistant crops or sustainable management practices?

An initial major barrier is that farmers are mostly unaware of nematodes and so do not understand the reason for a nematode resistant variety. A big barrier to adoption of new pest and disease resistant varieties, however, is their possible unsuitability to consumers, who may not like the taste, texture or colour even. Adoption and acceptance of new varieties relies on the combination of several preferred traits, including agronomic traits. Introduction of new crops can take time for farmers (and consumers) to become familiarized with them, and that they have a value, ultimately a financial one. New management options require demonstration of their benefits to crop production and returns to farmers, and that they are readily applicable or easy to use, I would say.

What limitations have been faced in tackling the challenge of nematodes in Africa?

A major challenge remains their hidden nature and lack of visibility and knowledge by farmers in the first instance. Thereafter, limited nematology expertise further drags progress in creating awareness of nematodes. So, it is a slow march effectively, to create more nematology expertise – towards improving nematology knowledge at large. It takes time. This includes the integration of nematology in undergraduate studies – as a standalone topic in agriculture and biology programs. Normally, nematology is tagged on to the back of pathology or entomology, and taught by non-nematologists, who may not be as interested or as knowledgeable and thus may not have the same zest or energy for nematology.

How can agroecological approaches (e.g., crop rotation, intercropping) be optimized for nematode management in different African regions?

A number of agroecologicalmethods can help, but due to expansive host ranges for some of the most problematic nematodes, rotation is not always effective; in addition, there is often a mixture of nematode species present at the same time. So, while rotation with non-host crops may help suppress and manage one nematode pest, it may not be effective against the others that are present, which then take the place of the species that is being controlled. But cover crops, antagonistic crops and crop rotations can be effective – providing that farmers are willing to use them, which they may not always be happy to. 

If you could solve one major nematode-related problem in the next 10 years, what would it be and why?

It is difficult to pin down one single problem. The PCN issue in East Africa is here to stay. They are very difficult to eradicate, and essentially impossible. It is therefore a case of managing the problem to reduce the losses and reduce population densities. But by employing a combination of tactics or technologies, we can hopefully provide the guidance and tools to do this. A cross-cutting nematode problem, however, is the root knot nematode problem. They can be devastating to many crops and are also very difficult to control. There are a few key species, which have very wide host ranges reducing the impact of crop rotation. There is some resistance in some varieties of crops though, but this generally does not work against all root knot nematode species.

Effectively, it requires a basket of options to overcome root knot (and nematode pests in general), but we need more resistant varieties to help with this. They are very damaging but if we can make progress in reducing the impact of PCN in East Africa over the next 10 years, then this would be a key goal. But it would no doubt take more than 10 years.

What gives you hope that we can finally turn the tide underground?

The energy, enthusiasm, and genuine interest of our next generation nematologists – our students, interns, and staff in working on nematodes gives us much hope that things are changing and will continue to change and turn the tide. The more expertise and knowledge that is generated through NemAfrica and through our partners and university collaborators the greater the knock-on effect towards extending information and awareness of nematodes in agriculture.

What next for NemAfrica?

Keep on keeping on

Groups petition Lagos Assembly on PPP plans of Lagos Water Corporation

Michael Simire
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Groups petition Lagos Assembly on PPP plans of Lagos Water Corporation

Six civil society groups – the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF), the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), Child Health Organisation, New Life Community Care Initiative (NELCCI) and the Ecumenical Water Network Africa/Blue Communities Africa (EWNA/BCA) – have sent a petition to the Lagos State House of Assembly, urging it to halt the privatisation plans being implemented by the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC).

The LWC had organised a Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Pilot Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for Lagos Water Corporation on August 15, 2025, with support from WaterAid. The engagement was to secure private financing for infrastructural development and public buy in for the privatisation initiative.

Lagos State House of Assembly
Lagos State House of Assembly

But the groups, in a petition to the House of Assembly, made available to the media, said that the event was only portrayed as public participation in decision-making when in actual fact it aimed to ram the PPP down the throats of Lagosians.

They said that the organisers of the event disregarded the rejection of privatisation including the PPP by Lagos residents, pretending as if the initiative enjoyed support.

They explained that their concern is further heightened by comments credited to Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Steven Ogundipe, who promised swift legislative backing for the PPP initiative when he was making his remarks at the event.

Pointing to the privatisation failure in the UK which the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and other donors had always peddled as a success story, they noted that investors in England and Wales’ water sector (largely driven by profits) withdrew over £85.2bn from the 10 water and sewerage firms since the industry was privatised more than 30 years ago.  This information which shows distrust and disinvestment in the privatisation exercise, came to light in a 2024 report by the Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU) of the University of Greenwich.

Blaming lack of access to water in Lagos on failure in legislative oversight, the groups urged the House to investigate budgetary allocations to the water sector since 1999, listing some allocations that should be probed to include the Otta-Ikosi waterworks awarded for N4 billion in 2007 and the N3 billion expended on construction of an Independent Power Plant (IPP) which also included an additional N180 million expended monthly on fueling.  

Others are the N897 million released by the state government for rehabilitation of Iju and Adiyan Waterworks; N789 million released by the government for rehabilitation of mini and micro waterworks across Lagos, N2.7 billion voted by the government and expended on the rehabilitation of Ishasi waterworks supervised by the governor. They also cited the N950 million budgeted for purchase of chemical for year 2023; N315 million paid as 50% advanced payment to contractor for the supply of liquid alum in October 2023; N1.2 billion budgeted for chemical in 2024; and N9.5 million for repair of chemical store gate at Iju and Adiyan.

They insisted that public sector funding can turn around the fortunes of the corporation and its service delivery if all the monies voted for making water available are used for the purpose.

They frowned at the fact that the funds allocated to the corporation since 1999 have not been adequately monitored and called for probe into all the water contracts, identification and blacklisting of identified contractors who are found wanting and recovery of all monies diverted.

In their prayers they called for a halt to the ongoing privatization plans by the LWC, termination of all partnerships and collaborations that aim to foist water privatization on Lagos including the arrangements with WaterAid, and increase in budgetary allocation to the water sector plus pin point oversight on how the monies are spent.

For effective management of the water utilities, they urged the state government to carry out a comprehensive study on the successes of the Public-Public-Partnership (PuP) model which has worked in many countries and its suitability for adoption in Lagos State.

Oil market imbalance set to increase as rising supply outpaces demand growth

Michael Simire
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0
Oil market imbalance set to increase as rising supply outpaces demand growth

Oil prices have been caught in the crosshairs of fast-changing market dynamics. While new sanctions on Russia and Iran threaten to impact trade flows, weaker economic growth is poised to temper demand. Volatility in oil markets slumped to near all-time lows in July as Brent crude oil futures hovered around $70/bbl. However, the early August OPEC+ supply agreement and the prospects for untenable stock builds later in the year saw Brent crude futures slip to around $67/bbl.

Global oil supply growth has been revised up by 370 kb/d to 2.5 mb/d in 2025 and by 620 kb/d to 1.9 mb/d in 2026, after the eight OPEC+ members subject to voluntary output reductions agreed on August 3, 2025, to raise production by another 547 kb/d in September, fully unwinding the 2.2 mb/d cuts agreed to in November 2023 since April.

Oil
Oil

OPEC+ crude and NGLs will now account for 1.1 mb/d of supply growth this year and 890 kb/d in 2026. Despite the significant OPEC+ gains, non-OPEC+ producers will continue to lead growth, adding 1.3 mb/d in 2025 and 1 mb/d in 2026, bolstered by rising output of US NGLs, Canadian crude and US, Brazilian and Guyanese offshore oil.

Global oil demand growth for 2025 has been repeatedly downgraded since the start of the year, by a combined 350 kb/d. Demand is now projected to rise by around 700 kb/d this year and next. The latest data show lacklustre demand across the major economies and, with consumer confidence still depressed, a sharp rebound appears remote. Consumption in emerging and developing economies has been weaker than expected, with China, Brazil, Egypt and India all revised down compared with last month’s Report.

Aviation has been an exception, with robust summer travel propelling jet fuel demand to all-time highs in both the United States and Europe. Global jet/kerosene demand is on track to increase by 2.1% this year, the strongest of any product. However, at 7.7 mb/d in 2025, it will still be 180 kb/d below the 2019 pre-Covid level.

So far, the market has absorbed the additional barrels as refinery activity reached an all-time high and China boosted stock holdings. Global observed oil inventories built by 1.5 mb/d in 2Q25, with Chinese crude stocks rising by 900 kb/d and US gas liquids another 900 kb/d. Nonetheless, crude and product stocks in major pricing hubs remain well below historical averages.

While oil market balances look ever more bloated as forecast supply far eclipses demand towards year-end and in 2026, additional sanctions on Russia and Iran may curb supplies from the world’s third and fifth largest producers. At the end of July, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced its most significant Iran-related sanctions since 2018, aimed at making it more difficult for Iran to sell its oil. Washington is also pressuring major buyers of Russian crude oil, most notably India, to scale back purchases.

For its part, the European Union has imposed a ban on imports of oil products refined from Russian crude oil starting in January 2026. It will also set a lower price cap for Russian oil from September 3 as part of its 18th sanctions package against Moscow. By contrast, restrictions on Venezuela have been eased with Chevron recently awarded a new licence to operate and export oil. While it is still too early to determine the outcome of these latest policy changes moving in different directions, it is clear that something will have to give for the market to balance.

Tinubu approves N16.7bn to rebuild Mokwa Bridge – Idris

Michael Simire
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Tinubu approves N16.7bn to rebuild Mokwa Bridge – Idris

President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N16.7 billion for the immediate reconstruction of the Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, which was destroyed by flooding in May 2025.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this in Abakaliki on Saturday, August 16, 2025, after a meeting with the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.

President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu

Idris, who is leading a Federal Government delegation on a three-day tour of projects and citizen engagements in the South-East, said the approval underscores the administration’s responsiveness to urgent infrastructure needs.

“We want to thank Mr. President and we want to thank the Minister of Works. We jointly discussed this and approached Mr. President, who graciously approved it. It means a lot to the people. It’s N16.7 billion to reconstruct the bridge – a 10-span bridge,” he stated.

The Minister also commended Senator Umahi for his swift response in the wake of the disaster, including dispatching experts to assess the damage shortly after the bridge was washed away.

According to Idris, the approval for the bridge reconstruction will be “music to the ears of the government and people of Niger State.”

In his remarks, the Minister of Works, Senator Umahi, said President Tinubu is a compassionate and listening leader, who is committed to solving the challenges confronting the citizens. 

“The President approved the immediate reconstruction of the bridge as requested by the Honourable Minister. He graciously approved because of him,” he said.

Senator Umahi said the latest round of approvals for provision of infrastructure cuts across all the geo-political zones of the country. 

He listed some of the approvals to include: the reconstruction of the washed-away 5-span bridge in Wukari, Taraba State; the Lokoja Bridge; the permanent repair of the washed-away section of the Afikpo in Ebonyi to Abia and Imo State; the Keffi Flyover Bridge; the Jebba Bridge in Kwara State; seven bridges in Edo State; and a bridge in Kebbi State.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has restated the Federal Government’s firm commitment to the rapid socio-economic development of Ebonyi State and the entire South-East geo-political zone.

Speaking in Abakaliki on Friday night at a Citizens’ Engagement Forum organised by his Ministry, the Minister said: “The commitment of Mr. President to the socio-economic development of Ebonyi State and the entire South-East is unwavering. He is right on track to transform and move the region forward, as promised when he came here to campaign in November 2022.”

The Minister explained that the Citizens’ Engagement Forum is not a mere talk shop but a direct platform to present government’s scorecard, give account of stewardship, and take feedback from Nigerians. 

“This is consistent with the mission of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to reenact trust in public communication by deepening the social contract between government and citizens, and restoring public confidence in governance.”

Highlighting major achievements of the Tinubu administration, Idris noted that subsidy removal and other bold reforms have doubled allocations to states and local governments, fueling an “unprecedented explosion of infrastructure projects across most states of the country.”

The Minister said “the Port Harcourt-Aba railway project has been completed, delivered, and is in operation,” while the Federal Executive Council has approved “the allocation of $3 billion for the completion of the 2,044km Eastern Rail Line, projected to unlock N50 billion for the region in annual trade.”

In addition, “$508 million has been earmarked for the upgrade and modernisation of Eastern Port infrastructure,” while “118.85km of the Ebonyi section of the Calabar-Abuja Super Highway has been inaugurated.”

On healthcare, the Minister disclosed that “the Federal Government, in April 2025, flagged off the Cancer Centre of Excellence at the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu,” adding that a “world-class Oncology Centre at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Nsukka” has also been commissioned.

To support small businesses, Idris stated: “The Federal Government, through the Bank of Industry, injected about N200 billion into nano, micro, and small businesses, benefitting over 900,000 business owners.”

He further announced that the newly established South-East Development Commission has “hit the ground running in its pursuit to build a $200 billion economy for the region by 2035,” while the South-East Investment Corporation, with a capital base of N150 billion, will drive industrialization and inclusive growth.

On security, the Minister assured citizens that the Federal Government is winning the war against insurgents and secessionist elements. “We have recorded great success in making the South East safe and rendering the sit-at-home orders by secessionists ineffective,” he stressed.

Idris commended Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State for his development strides, especially in forging synergy with the Federal Government to deliver impactful projects for the people of the state. 

“His success across all sectors of the state is a testament to what is possible when state and federal governments work in synergy to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.”

The Minister reiterated President Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy, bridging the infrastructure gap, promoting food security, improving the living conditions of the masses and bequeathing a prosperous nation to future generations.

“Indeed, we are not resting on our oars,” he affirmed.

ACReSAL partners NGO to inculcate proper waste disposal in Yobe

Michael Simire
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ACReSAL partners NGO to inculcate proper waste disposal in Yobe

The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) and The Global Peace Development (GPD), an NGO, have gone into a partnership to promote proper waste disposal in Yobe.

Mr. Ebruke Esike, GPD Executive Director, made this known at a two-day workshop on waste management for ACReSAL Site Management Committees (SMCs) in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, on Friday, August 16, 2025.

ACReSAL
Participants at a two-day workshop on waste management for ACReSAL Site Management Committees (SMCs), in Damaturu, Yobe State

He said the training would build the capacities of SMCs to monitor project implementation, ensure compliance with technical designs and promote proper waste disposal to prevent gully erosion and flood.

According to him, poor waste management leads to environmental degradation, which in turn can cause waterborne diseases and loss of livelihoods.

“By disposing of waste properly, we will reduce flooding, minimise gully erosion, and improve community resilience.

“Waste can also be turned into resources such as fertiliser and biogas, creating economic opportunities,” Esike said.

He said the training drew 50 participants from SMCs in Buni Yadi and Damaturu, adding that the beneficiaries were expected to step-down knowledge acquired at the training to members of their communities.

The executive director listed expected outcomes of the training to include cleaner surroundings, reduced flooding, fewer waterborne diseases, and enhanced capacity of SMCs to plan, implement and monitor waste management.

In his remarks, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu, the state ACReSAL Project Coordinator, noted that tackling land degradation and impacts of climate change were parts of the project’s mandate.

Shehu, represented by Mr. Usman Inuwa, the Project’s Social Livelihood Officer, said the state government had awarded contracts for the control of gully erosion in Buni Yadi and Damaturu.

He said that sensitization of the general public on waste management in the areas was ongoing.

One of the participants, Jidda Mustapha, commended the organisers, saying the workshop had enlightened them on the dangers of dumping waste in drainage channels.

“I will take this message back to my community to stop waste dumping in drains, which causes flooding and erosion,” Mustapha said.

By Ahmed Abba

AfDB commits $40m to drive AGIA green infrastructure fund

Michael Simire
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AfDB commits $40m to drive AGIA green infrastructure fund

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has committed $40 million to the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa Project Development Fund (AGIA-PD), anchoring the Fund’s first close of $118 million.

AfDB Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation, Mr. Solomon Quaynor, made this announcement in a statement on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

Solomon Quaynor
AfDB Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation, Mr. Solomon Quaynor

Quaynor said the milestone marked a major step in mobilising blended finance to deliver investment-ready green infrastructure projects across the continent.

According to him, the initiative will help accelerate Africa’s transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

“The AfDB’s contribution comprises 20 million dollars in grants, $10 million in commercial equity, and $10 million in junior equity from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, which it administers,” he said.

He noted that the Bank’s support was designed to de-risk early-stage projects and attract private sector capital.

“Through the $40 million package spanning grants, junior equity, and commercial equity, the AfDB is pioneering a comprehensive approach to unlock Africa’s vast green infrastructure potential.

“This investment is a bold declaration that the Bank stands ready to share early-stage risk alongside our partners, while mobilising billions in private-sector investment,” Quaynor added.

Africa50 CEO, Mr. Alain Ebobissé, said the first close demonstrates AGIA’s shift from ambition to execution since its launch at COP27.

“By unlocking early-stage capital, AGIA will accelerate the development of bankable projects, strengthen local capacity, and pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous Africa,” he said.

UK Minister of State for Development, Ms. Jenny Chapman, said Britain’s contribution would support African-led solutions in vulnerable communities.

“We are partnering with countries to unlock private investment in the places hardest hit by climate change.

“This will support solar farms, water treatment plants, and other projects that help build stronger, climate-resilient economies,” Chapman said.

Christine de Barros Said, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy in Maputo, said Germany, through its development bank KfW, was contributing 26 million euro to spur investment.

“AGIA identifies and develops projects until they reach creditworthiness, then sells them to investors.

“This generates vital investments in renewable energy, transport, water, and digitalization, sectors Africa urgently needs to foster growth and create jobs,” she explained.

President of the West African Development Bank (BOAD), Mr. Serge Ekue, said his institution’s involvement reaffirmed its commitment to bridge the infrastructure gap in the region.

“BOAD’s commitment to supporting Africa50 in implementing AGIA underscores our dedication to closing Africa’s infrastructure gap and fostering private sector investment in innovative projects,” he said.

Mr. Mark Gallogly, Co-founder of the Three Cairns Group, highlighted the challenge AGIA aimed to solve: “The lack of bankable projects remains a persistent barrier to scaling clean energy and climate-resilient infrastructure.

“AGIA’s first close marks a significant milestone in tackling the challenge,” Gallogly noted.

Ms. Georgia Keohane, CEO of the Soros Economic Development Fund, described AGIA as a vital Africa-led initiative.

“The Soros Economic Development Fund is proud to support AGIA, a critically important partnership catalysing transformative projects that enhance climate resilience and drive inclusive, sustainable development,” she said.

Jointly led by the AfDB, African Union Commission, and Africa50, the AGIA initiative aims to raise 500 million dollars to unlock a $10 billion pipeline of infrastructure projects across energy, sustainable transport, water, and ICT sectors.

By Lucy Ogalue

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