- A new UN-backed report released yesterday says sustainable bioenergy is a weapon that can be used by West African nations to combat poverty.
New study - a joint effort by UN Foundation (UNF), International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development and Energy and Security Group - examines bioenergy’s potential in eight nations of Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa (UEMOA), comprising Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
“The development, use, and commercialisation of bioenergy offer UEMOA member countries vital economic, social, and environmental opportunities for transforming rural areas,” report noted.
It said that if both produced and consumed locally, bioenergy could be a crucial tool used to address poverty.
“However, a strong policy framework at the local, national, and regional levels is required to ensure that these benefits are realised, shared equitably, and that negative impacts are minimised,” report said, adding that policies must also concentrate on impact of bioenergy development on food security, environment and agricultural production system.
According to report, the eight UEMOA nations “possess a rich resource base that can be sustained by a combination of good policies and practices to expand production of and access to food, fuel, and fibre”.
“Undertaking these strategies to improve agriculture and forest productivity, protect watersheds, and produce bioenergy should also strengthen their ability to adapt to climate change,” report concluded.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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