The IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa presents a clear warning: regional growth is slowing, debt pressures are mounting, and donor assistance is declining. Yet the report outlines critical opportunities particularly in domestic revenue mobilization, structural reform, and private sector activation that can shape a more resilient …
Sandeep Dikshit NEW DELHI: Despite the ratification of the Treaty of Pelindaba that prohibits African nations from nuclear commerce with countries that have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), South Africa has said it is talking to
The study of stable oxygen isotope ratios (delta18O) of Precambrian cherts suggests that ocean temperatures during the Archaean era (about 3.5 billion years ago) were between 55
This latest report by 2030 Water Resources Group, led by IFC & McKinsey warns that governments must address booming water demand or face grave human and environmental. Says that that in 20 years, water demand will be 40% higher than it is today, and more than 50% higher in the …
With the threat of increased disasters from climate change, many countries are already taking steps to reduce their vulnerability to weather and climatic hazards, such as floods, cyclones, heatwaves and droughts. Adaptation to climate change is a relatively new concern, but it can call on a rich tradition spanning many …
This note reports on examples of recent experience in eight countries where national and local governments and civil society participants have worked to strengthen their disaster risk reduction and adaptation actions. These cases, along with similar experience in other countries, provide a number of useful insights and lessons for climate …
With the world almost certain to miss a target to slow extinction rates by 2010, governments are looking to adopt new biodiversity targets next year. What those might be
A day after dropping its pursuit of rival Anglo American PLC, mining giant Xstrata PLC will turn its focus toward projects it already has in the pipeline, rather than seek new acquisitions, its chief executive said in an interview. "Now's the time to do the building so we can start …
Denmark, South Africa and India are among the countries with the most effective energy policies, according to the World Energy Council, an industry group. The Council on Tuesday publishes its first World Energy and Climate Policy assessment, which aims to review the performance of 88 countries on issues such as …
The African elephant's misfortune has been its teeth, in particular the well developed pair of upper incisors known as tusks for which it is being killed in large numbers. The visible ivory part of the tusks is made up of dentine with an outer layer of enamel, and when viewed …
Access to modern forms of energy continues to elude the majority of households in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and only about 30% of the population has access to electricity while 90% relies on traditional fuels for cooking and heating. The central question addressed in this review is whether or not SSA …
Forests are power bases, but often for the wrong people. As attention turns from making an international deal on REDD to making it work on the ground, the hunt will be on for practical ways of shifting power over forests towards those who enable and pursue sustainable forest-linked livelihoods. The …
Benefits to people from water ecosystems like rivers, swamps, floodplains and groundwater systems are central to human well-being. But ecosystems are in trouble and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have each shown that freshwater ecosystem services …
This paper reviews whether land titling programmes have achieved the benefits claimed by their proponents. It finds that they have generally failed to do so. Investment in land and housing, access to formal credit, and municipal revenues have not increased noticeably more than under other tenure regimes, including those that …
WHAT might a truly fair and effective solution to climate change look like? One answer to that question has just been released and it makes for disturbing reading. For one thing, the scale and speed of emissions cuts required by developed nations is far greater than the commitments governments are …
South African industry needs to tap its 2,000 MW co-generation potential to avoid another power crisis, but is facing pricing and regulatory hurdles, an industry official said on Wednesday. Dave Long, a former regional manager at paper maker Sappi, said that despite a battle lasting years the industry has not …
The European Union's environment chief challenged developing countries yesterday to agree at the Copenhagen climate summit in December to rein in their emissions growth in return for greater financial aid. Stavros Dimas, the environment commissioner, set out the conditions as he unveiled the European Commission's long-awaited financing proposal, under which …
This booklet captures some key developments in agricultural biotechnology in Africa. Contrary to the strongly held belief that the continent is not ready to embrace new technologies, much has been accomplished in agricultural biotechnology. The document narrates notable scientific breakthroughs, political support, policy formulation, capacity building and awareness creation on …
