Oxford Business Group (OBG), a business intelligence and consultancy firm, has launched a new focus report. Titled “Agriculture in Africa 2022”, this is the third study of the group devoted to this major theme for the continent and produced in collaboration with OCP Group, leader in plant nutrition and the world’s first producer of phosphate-based fertilizers.
With Africa’s population expected to double by 2050, according to the World Bank, and food demand expected to grow by 55% by 2030, the challenge of food security is a major issue, where 85% of food is nowadays imported, according to data published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
While the continent has the world’s fastest-growing agricultural sector, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3% since 2000, the development of the vast amount of uncultivated arable land will not be enough to meet the growing demand for food. OBG’s Focus Report explores the various possibilites and concrete solutions available to meet the food needs of the population, while at the same time integrating the sector into a sustainable and climate change-friendly development.
A new report on African agriculture and solutions to tomorrow’s challenges is launched
IFAD’s bond issuance connecting capital markets to rural poor around the world
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) today issued its first sustainable development bond with Folksam, a leading insurance and pension fund in Sweden investing in a US$100 million bond. The entry to capital markets sets the stage for IFAD’s increased investment in food security, rural development and economic growth at a time when the war in Ukraine is pushing global food, fertilizer and energy prices to record levels, putting millions more rural people already reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic at risk of falling into hunger and poverty.
IFAD is the first United Nations Fund and the only UN body and specialized agency other than the World Bank Group to enter capital markets, following the completion of its credit rating process in 2021 which resulted in a AA+ rating from both Standard & Poor’s and Fitch.
“This inaugural transaction is a key milestone for IFAD and an opportunity to significantly step up its financing to build the resilience of rural populations,” said Katherine Meighan, IFAD’s General Counsel and acting Chief Financial Officer.
Top Ethiopian scientist honored by international news organization
Media organization Doha Debates announced that the latest individual honored in their SolvingIt series is Dr. Segenet Kelemu, one of Africa’s leading scientists and a role model for women in science and research around the world.
Doha Debate is a media organization based in Qatar and Washington, D.C. that engages people in conversations about global challenges through debates, town halls, podcasts, films and more.
Dr. Segenet Kelemu, who was born in Ethiopia and today resides in Kenya, is being recognized for her life’s work studying insects, human and plant health as a leading molecular pathologist. Through her role as Director General and CEO of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi, Dr. Kelemu’s leadership helps drive sustainable development, boost food security and fight poverty in more than 40 countries throughout Africa.
Born in Finote Selam, Ethiopia in 1957, Dr. Kelemu was interested in science as a young girl. She witnessed a plague of locusts attack her village in western Ethiopia and devastate the town’s grass and vegetation.
MSF restarts medical humanitarian activities in Gambella and Somali regions
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), an international medical and humanitarian organization, announces the restart of activities in Gambella and Somali regions of Ethiopia.
“We are relieved to once again provide some assistance to people in these areas, many of whom have gone without essential and even life-saving care during the period of our suspension,” MSF said in a statement.
Services in 84 locations across four regions (Amhara, Gambella, Somali, Tigray) of the country were suspended by governmental order in July of 2021, and subsequently lifted in October 2021.
The restart of some medical and humanitarian activities in Gambella and Somali regions is in addition to on-going medical programmes in Afar and Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s region.
