Cereal production prospects in Southern Africa have taken a sharp turn for the worse since last February, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned today (Monday/Tuesday).

The foreseen shortfall in production, especially for maize, is expected to intensify households’ food insecurity, push up domestic prices and spur a surge in import needs across the subregion, according to a new assessment from FAO’s Global Information and Early Warning System. White maize accounts for almost 20 percent of calories consumed in the subregion.

The disappointing forecast comes after “widespread and substantial rainfall deficits in February, exacerbated by record high temperatures, a particularly damaging combination for crops,” the report said, noting that there are scant hopes of a recovery before the harvest period commences in May.

Acute food insecurity in southern Africa, estimated at 16 million people in the first three months of 2024, could deteriorate in late 2024, FAO warned.

Food prices, already rising at annual rates above 10 percent, are likely to rise further and, based on current projections, South Africa and Zambia, typically maize exporters, will not be able to cover the supply shortfall, and Zambia has started importing maize to meet the shortfall.

This combination of reduced harvests and rising food prices is particularly harmful for agricultural households and restoration of production,, as farm incomes are set to be squeezed while more resources will be needed to purchase food, said Jonathan Pound, economist at FAO’s Global Information and Early Warning System.

Plan ahead for shift to La Niña

This observed pattern is typical of the El Niño weather phenomenon in the region, FAO noted.

Current forecasts however point a high likelihood of a transition to a La Niña phase later in the year, with more beneficial precipitation patterns.

That makes it “imperative” to scale up resilience-bolstering measures enabling  farmers to prepare adequately for the next agricultural season starting in September 2024, FAO said.

The governments of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have already declared drought emergencies. Teaming up with the NASA Harvest programme, FAO geospatial observations suggest that key cereal crops will suffer adverse impacts in parts of Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, with Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique expected to see a notable jump in import needs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Independent hydrocarbon producer Perenco has joined the Invest in African Energy (IAE) forum as a Silver Sponsor, affirming its commitment to investing in and maximizing Africa’s oil and gas resources.

With operations spanning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, Gabon, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo, Perenco has evolved into a regional leader in integrated oil and gas development. In Gabon, the company is leading the construction of the $1-billion Cap Lopez LNG terminal, set to transform the country into an LNG exporter through the production of 700,000 tons of LNG and 20,000 tons of LPG per year. Perenco also inaugurated its $50-million Batanga LPG plant in December, 2023, producing 15,000 tons of LPG dedicated to the local market and reducing Gabon’s imports by 40-50%. The gas produced will also contribute to a 20 MW power plant in Mayumba, supporting local electricity demand and showcasing Perenco’s commitment to securing Africa’s energy future.

Organized by Energy Capital&Power, IAE 2024 is an exclusive forum designed to foster collaboration between European investors and African energy markets. Taking place May 14-15, 2024, in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors, and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com.

The company is also investing in Africa’s offshore, with a focus on shallow-water and marginal assets. Last October, Perenco began production from its Hylia South West discovery offshore Gabon at a rate of 6,000 barrels per day (bpd) and recently spud an appraisal well nearby to determine the full potential of the reservoirs. In Cameroon, Perenco signed a 20-year PSC for the continued development of the Rio del Rey Basin – which has produced over one billion barrels – and brought online its offshore South Kole Marine oil development. The company acquired Eni’s non-core assets in the Republic of Congo for $300 million last June, as well as successfully completed an offshore 3D seismic acquisition campaign last November, in partnership with national oil company SNPC. 

Perenco CEO Armel Simondin is confirmed to speak at the IAE forum and is expected to share the company’s development strategy and highlight Africa’s deepwater gas, LNG and FLNG as growing areas of investment.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

On April 17 and 18, 2024, Special Representative for Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Yang Xiaokun and Angolan Secretary of State for Human Rights Ana Celeste Cardoso Januário held a consultation on human rights in Luanda, Angola, and they had an exchange of views on their respective concepts and practices of human rights, the progress of the human rights cause, and multilateral human rights cooperation, among others. Yang also held meetings with Angolan Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Esmeralda Bravo Conde da Silva Mendonça, Angolan Secretary of State for the Interior José Paulino Cunha da Silva, Ombudsman of Angola Florbela Rocha Araújo, and Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights of the National Assembly of Angola Vigílio da Ressurreição Tyova, among others.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

On April 19, 2024, Special Representative for Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Yang Xiaokun and Director General of International Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Ayele Lire held a consultation on human rights in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, and they had an exchange of views on their respective human rights concepts, the international human rights situation, and multilateral human rights cooperation, among others.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.