Africa in the News: "Kenya to Build Africa's Biggest Windfarm"

The Guardian: "Kenya to Build Africa's Biggest Windfarm"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/27/kenya-wind-farm

As Africa develops, so does an unprecedented demand for electricity. Many countries have struggled to meet the demand causing blackouts to be increasingly common. There has been substantial debate over Africa’s right, capability and responsibility to develop sustainable power generation over more traditional, less expensive, methods. In this climate of domestic and international pressure, to create more electricity that is both cheap and green, many African countries have turned to the wind.

Kenya, backed by the African Development Bank, has invested £533m in a new project to install 365 wind turbines around Lake Turkana, the largest of its kind on the continent. At their completion (estimated in 2012) the turbines are projected to be able to hold a capacity of 300MW – or “a quarter of Kenya's current installed power and one of the highest proportions of wind energy to be fed in a national grid anywhere in the world.” However, Kenya’s electricity has been considered very green by any standard as “nearly three-quarters of KenGen's installed capacity comes from hydropower, and a further 11% from geothermal plants.”

Although Kenya is not alone; many African countries are making strong moves to invest in wind power. Both Ethiopia and Tanzania have begun major plans to construct wind farms which will generate more than 10 and 15 percent of current electrical capacity respectively. South Africa has recently become the first African country to offer a “feed-in tariff for wind power” which incentivizes production by tendering cash for selling power to the national grid.

However, there are considerable obstacles to providing electricity where is has never been available before, whether it is green energy or not. Less than one fifth of Kenyans currently have access to electricity, leaving huge gaps to fill in service delivery, many of these gaps existing in remote, rural, undeveloped areas. The transportation of turbines to their intended sites (as well as necessary improvements to roads and bridges to allow for transportation), the construction of transmission lines and substations, and similar infrastructure development all add huge costs to a green energy solution.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Video on Renewable Energy in East Africa from GVEP International: http://vimeo.com/14270751

UN Report on Renewable Energy in Africa: http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/sdissues/energy/op/nepadkarekezi.pdf

Website for the Sustainable Energy Africa Organization: http://www.sustainable.org.za/

Video on Renewable Energy in West Africa from the Green Actors of West Africa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7vZlM8ltNY

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Should African countries develop energy sources as cheaply as possible, as quickly as possible or as sustainably as possible? Is it a zero sum choice?

2. If you lived or ran a business without electricity, would you want access to it as quickly as possible regardless of its source or do you think you would be willing to wait if you knew it would come from a renewable source? Would the price make a difference?

3. Do you think regulating the carbon credits of businesses in the US could help African economies? Should African businesses have the same standards as businesses in the US?

‘A Somali journalist's life is short anyways'

http://cpj.org/blog/2010/09/a-somali-journalists-life-is-short-anyways.php

Beyond the current conflict in Somalia between Islamist factions Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam and Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government, a violent and repressive struggle between the insurgents, the government and reporters over control of the country’s media has become a humanitarian crisis in itself.

Reporter Tom Rhodes details the challenges of media entities within the country to report the truth, or much of anything at all, without the fear of violent repercussions. However, some journalists and news organizations are fighting back to provide the people of Somalia with up to date and unbiased information.

Rhodes explains that four months ago, BBC operations in the country were forcibly halted, their property stolen and local media contracts cancelled by Al-Shabaab. Hizbul Islam also announced a ban on music to radio stations. These bans were headed by most, as the penalty for defying these “hard-line militant Islamist rebel groups” is often “death by crossfire and assassination.” However, the Shabelle Media Network, described as “one of Somalia's leading independent broadcasters” broadcast their news and music despite the risks. The Network has paid dearly for their resistance, five of its journalists murdered since the conflict between insurgents and the Transitional Government began in 2006.

The threat of violence on the media seems to be less immediate for the outlets working within the government controlled zones in Mogadishu, however, the fear insurgents hold over outlets and the self-censorship resulting from it are still strong. This is complicated by government threats to suspend radio stations in their controlled areas who comply with insurgent demands. Government authorities also censor information which may be contrary to their interests. Police have detained, interrogated and deleted the work of journalists and cameramen which did not fit the government’s proscribed narrative.

Nevertheless, many journalists throughout Somalia have done no less than risk their lives to report on “one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters.” Others have continued their cause by reporting outside of the country’s borders.

MORE INFORMATION

Informative BBC Q&A on the Somali Conflict: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4760775.stm

Shabelle Media Network website: http://www.shabelle.net/

Amnesty International Article on Journalists in Somalia”: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/report/journalists-under-attack-somalia-government-steps-media-crackdown-2010-07-22

CNN Video on Journalists and Conflict in Somalia: http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/world/2010/07/01/barnett.somalia.journalist.cnn.html

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What opportunities are being held from the Somali people without media able to report freely?

2. Who do you think the reporters in Somalia could turn to for help?

3. What actions do you think the people of Somalia could take to restore media freedom? What actions could the US government/people take?

4. How much do you rely on the media for information about your community, country, the world? Do you believe these outlets could be biased? Does this make a difference? What could you do to make sure you are getting truthful information?

MGI - Lions on the Move: The Progress and Potential of African Economies

The McKinsey Global Institute recently published a study entitled “Lions on the Move: The Progress and Potential of African Economies” which brought some interesting facts and predictions for the future of economic development across the continent. The report’s findings were generally positive but noted that economic development is diverse throughout the continent and serious challenges pose significant threats to potential growth. Overall, the report explained that real GDP has risen by 4.9 percent per year between 2000 and 2008, more than twice the pace in the previous two decades and at one of the most rapid rates in the world.

The report argued that Africa’s accelerated grown was not solely a result of a resource boom, but rather “improved political and macroeconomic stability and microeconomic reforms.” The occurrence of violent conflicts has decreased overall, while stability has increased, creating better business climates and greater opportunity. Many African governments have also adopted progressive fiscal policies, lowering inflation, foreign debt and budget deficits, and thereby stimulating markets.

The future predictions of the report were generally positive, citing encouraging external and internal trends for the continent. Externally, the report cites “the global race for commodities, Africa’s increased access to international capital, and its ability to forge new types of economic partnerships with foreign investors” as the most promising developments. Internally, Africa’s labor force, urban populations and number of middle-class consumers are all on the rise. This leads for expectations that increased internal stability and demographic trends will place economic development on the continent in an upwards trajectory.

The report ends by asserting Africa’s increased importance in the global economy. More specifically, the sectors with the greatest growth potential are agriculture, natural resources, infrastructure and those that are consumer-facing. The report concludes with a word of advice: “Global executives and investors cannot afford to ignore the continent’s immense potential.”

MORE INFORMATION

The Full McKinsey Global Institute Report: http://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/publications/progress_and_potential_of_african_economies/pdfs/MGI_african_economies_full_report.pdf

McKinsey PodCast - Foreseeing the Potential Rise of Africa's Economic Lions: http://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/publications/assets/progress_and_potential_of_african_economies/index.asp

Overseas Development Institute Blog (many posts on African economies): http://blogs.odi.org.uk/blogs/main/default.aspx

New York Times Article “Report Optimistic on Africa Economies”: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/world/africa/24africa.html?_r=1

African Buisness News Video about the Role of the Private Sector in African Economic Development: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejkG3JuE4s8

UNECA’s Economic Report on Africa 2010: http://www.uneca.org/era2010/

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Is African economic development inevitable? Or is it something that requires deliberate engineering?

2. Can Africa’s economic development be profitable, sustainable and responsible for all involved actors? How can African/American governments, people, and business work towards this?

3. What should the American government, businesses and individuals do to aid in the economic development of Africa? What should they be cautious of?

The Congressional Black Caucus’s 40th Annual Legislative Conference’s Foreign Affairs Brain Trust: Africa Forging Ahead

On Friday, September 17, 2010, The Africa Society attended Congressman Payne’s 40^th Annual Brain Trust entitled “Africa: Forging Ahead.” The conference focused on current challenges to peace, security, human rights, justice and economic development in Africa. These included barriers to development such as access to clean water, food and education, lack of suitable infrastructure, and gender inequalities, as well as current conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia. Although the conference addressed sobering challenges to development the tone was positive and hopeful for future success.

Featured speakers of the conference cited numerous reports which showed promising results of foreign aid and investment on the continent. These reports will be further outlined and made accessible on this blog in the near future. Speakers encouraged the involvement of Africanists in evolving the general conception of Africa as a continent of conflict, poverty and despair to one that is diverse, dynamic, and progressive. In order for continued success on the continent, speakers emphasized the necessity of educating Americans about the progress that has occurred so that a positive outlook for the future may be obtained.

The conference concluded with a moving speech delivered by the President of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir. President Kiir brought light to unique challenges of conflict in Africa, including the involvement of government and police in committing violent human rights abuses, and the silencing of victims and lack of accountability or justice. President Kiir thanked the American people and asked for continued support as his government anticipates a referendum for the independence of the Southern Sudanese in January 2011.

MORE INFORMATION

Prepared Remarks by USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah - The Truths About Africa: http://www.usaid.gov/press/speeches/2010/sp100917.html

Prepared Remarks by MCC Senior Advisor Cassandra Butts: http://allafrica.com/stories/201009180004.html

A news report (video and article) from France 24 on the January 2011 referendum for Southern independence in Sudan: http://www.france24.com/en/20100423-2010-04-23-1010-wb-en-reporters-south-sudan-darfur

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What sources do you generally derive your conception of Africa from? How might you determine the quality of information you are receiving?

2. What do you think is a good resource for keeping up to date on African issues? Do you have access to these resources?

3. Do you consider development in Africa to be more positive or negative? How did you come to your conclusion?

4. What do you think about the referendum for the independence of Southern Sudan? Do you think it will be carried out fairly and peacefully? What could/should the US do to ensure this?

MCC’s Commitment to Africa

The Africa Society of The National Summit on Africa and

His Excellency Daniel Ohene Agyekum of Ghana

cordially invite you to the nineteenth iteration of the

Ambassador Andrew Young Lecture Series On Africa

entitled

“MCC’s Commitment to Africa”

Featuring

Daniel W. Yohannes

Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Embassy of the Republic of Ghana

3512 International Drive, NW

Washington, D.C. 20008

There will be a reception at the Embassy preceding the lecture.

Embassy of the Republic of Ghana
3512 International Drive, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008

RSVP:
Email skuruswo@africasummit.org
Or
call Sarah Kuruswo at 202.232.3862

Africa in the News: "Revolution in Agriculture Gathering Momentum"

Inter Press Service (Johannesburg): "Revolution in Agriculture Gathering Momentum"

http://allafrica.com/stories/201009030055.html

As the world has placed increased emphasis on our environment, natural resources and climate there has also been increased recognition of the African continent’s enormous potential for agricultural development. At the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network’s Annual High-Level Policy Dialogue held in Windhoek this month, CEO Dr. Lindiwe Majele Sibanda estimated that "Africa has 60 per cent of the world's uncultivated arable land, and the potential exists for African yields to grow in value by more than three-fold by the year 2030, from $280 billion today to $880 billion.” She added “Africa's agricultural sector has the potential not only to feed its own people but to become the breadbasket of the world."

This possibility is encouraged by successful agricultural development across the continent. Progress is seen in countries like Ghana, where agricultural output has increased by an average 5 percent over the past 10 years or Rwanda, where food production has increased by as much as 16 percent in recent years. Although the future of agricultural development in Africa may hold substantial opportunity for growth, immediate and long term challenges pose a threat to development. Prominent obstacles include “poor soils and seeds, lack of finance and markets, and weak policy support” coupled with related issues of climate change, land rights, water availability/quality, etc.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Blog on Agriculture in Africa: http://www.africanagricultureblog.com/
Articles, Papers and Abstracts on Agriculture & Food in Africa from the University of Pennsylvania: http://www.africa.upenn.edu/About_African/ww_food.html
A Lesson Plan for Teachers on ‘Eco Challenges’ in Africa from PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/tools/eco/goals.html
Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Website: http://www.nepad-caadp.net/
Initiative to End Hunger in Africa Program (USAID) Website: http://www.usaid.gov/locations/sub-saharan_africa/initiatives/ieha.html

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you feel food production in Africa is primarily a global, a continental, regional or a local issue?
2. Is it better to foster agricultural development in Africa through aid or through investment?
3. What are the potential benefits/challenges of agricultural development in Africa which is cultivated through external entities?
4. Could you develop a plan of action for farmers, investors, governments, aid organizations, etc.? What step of the process should each entity concentrate on? What should they be cautious of?
5. What could be the economic, social, and cultural effects (local regional or global) if more agricultural development in Africa is achieved?