Shortlist and FSD Africa, with analysis from the Boston Consulting Group, today published “Forecasting Green Jobs in Africa,” a first of its kind report that forecasts the new direct job creation potential of 12 “green” sub-sectors by 2030. The report predicts the creation of up to 3.3 million new direct green jobs across the continent by 2030, with the majority in the renewable energy sector, particularly solar. The study, the first in-depth analysis of workforce needs within major green value chains over the next five years, provides detailed forecasts for five focus countries, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, which together account for more than a fifth (22%) of new jobs, and in key sectors such as renewable energy, e-mobility, agriculture, construction and manufacturing.

“Forecasting Green Jobs in Africa” underscores the critical importance of a skilled workforce as an input accelerating African green industries, emphasizing the need for substantial investment in skills development and workforce mobilization. Moreover, the millions of jobs created in the green revolution will also contribute to the formalization of African economies, and the inclusion of whole populations in stable systems of remuneration, social security and taxation for the first time.  

AUDA-NEPAD, the African Union’s development agency, and Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) have signed an historic agreement which will strengthen efforts and mobilise resources to eliminate NTDs across the African continent. This partnership, formalized during the 45th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 6th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, represents a significant milestone in the fight against NTDs in Africa.

NTDs are a group of twenty-one diseases and infections that can disable, disfigure, and be fatal. They disproportionately affect those living in low-income, hard-to-reach areas. These diseases, which include conditions such as river blindness, trachoma, and lymphatic filariasis, perpetuate cycles of poverty and hinder economic growth and development. Currently, more than 1.65 billion people worldwide are at risk of NTDs, with the burden in Africa accounting for more than 35%. Addressing NTDs is crucial for improving health outcomes and fostering sustainable development across the continent.

A boat with at least 45 refugees has capsized off the coast of Yemen’s Taiz on Wednesday night, and there are only four survivors, the U.N. refugee agency in Yemen said on Thursday. The boat capsized because of strong winds and overloading, the agency added. It said it was working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to assist the survivors and provide protection. No further details were provided about the rest of the refugees. In June, at least 49 migrants died and 140 went missing after their vessel, which departed from Somalia carrying 260 migrants, capsized of the Yemeni coast. IOM, which runs a tally of migrants who are killed or go missing on migration routes, has since 2014 recorded 1,860 migrant deaths and disappearances along the route running from East Africa and the Horn of Africa to Gulf countries. According to the United Nations, 97,000 migrants arrived in Yemen from the Horn of Africa last year. (Reuters)

In a statement released [yesterday], the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland said it “vehemently rejects any potential deployment of Turkish naval forces within Somaliland’s recognized maritime zones.” This comes in the backdrop of the recent announcement that Turkey was poised to send its navy support to Somali waters following an earlier agreement between Ankara and Mogadishu that will allow Turkey to send an exploration vessel off the coast of Somalia to prospect for oil and gas…In February this year, Turkey and Somalia signed a defense cooperation in the wake of Somalia’s rejection of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland earlier in January. (Addis Standard)