The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD) hosted a virtual webinar showcasing the power of data partnerships in combating the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic in Africa.
In his remarks, ECA’s African Centre for Statistics Director, Oliver Chinganya, said since the inception of the ECA-GPSDD partnership to support countries to better respond to COVID-19; Building Africa’s Resilience to the pandemic; “We have worked with a consortium of partners who have supported the continental and national statistical systems to adapt to the ongoing challenges and revamp statistical production, dissemination and use”.
“The idea was to bring the best data, platforms and analytics to combat COVID-19 across Africa,” he said.
Data, platforms and analytics helping Africa combat COVID-19
Africa Young Innovators for Health Award launched
The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) and Speak Up Africa launch the first edition of the “Africa Young Innovators for Health Award” at the Galien Pre-Forum Africa session focused on Youth Leadership.
Prof. Awa Marie Coll-Seck, Minister of State and President of the Scientific Committee of Forum Galien Africa, who is also a Jury Member for the Award and Speaker at the launch event says “The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us more than ever how healthcare professionals and social workers are on the front line in responding to major health challenges. This multisectoral and community response contributes to building a strong and resilient health system. However, despite the increased investments in human resources and the many innovative financial mechanisms put in place across the continent, the work of these professionals and the health systems as a whole have been severely put to the test. We must support them.”
Coffee Innovation Fund launched
The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority launched a 13.5 million birr Coffee Innovation Fund.
The current global value for the coffee industry is over $200 billion a year. However, in countries like Ethiopia coffee growers and local economies have been largely excluded from the benefits. In order to improve this reality, the Coffee Innovation Fund (CIF) is launched for the second time in four East African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. The Coffee Innovation Fund 2.0 is continued support for creating opportunities for investment.
The fund aims to enable smallholder coffee businesses and producers to test new ideas that increase the profitability of coffee farmers and ensure a fairer and equitable share in the coffee supply chain. It calls for innovative approaches that promise to improve the production, processing, and marketing of coffee and boost local value creation.
“Innovation helps humans address daily hardships. There are many obstacles and backward practices prohibiting coffee farmers from realizing their full potentials. Modernization of the coffee value chain, specifically in value addition are essential. The government has plans to enable sustainable changes in the lives of the farmers by supporting innovative ideas, processes and projects” said Adugna Debela, head of Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority.
IRENA, AfDB partner to scale up renewables investments in Africa
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB), have agreed to work closely together to advance the continent’s energy transition through joint initiatives that support investments in low-carbon energy projects.
Under the Declaration of Intent, the two entities confirmed their wish to collaborate on supporting the continent’s energy transition under a framework of core activities. These include co-organising renewable energy investment forums as part of IRENA’s contribution to the Climate Investment Platform, and collaboration on the Bank’s annual Africa Investment Forum. Furthermore, strong emphasis will be placed on concrete support for enhancing the role of renewable energy in Nationally Determined Contributions and sustainable development objectives.
The joint declaration was signed by Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, and Kevin Kanina Kariuki, Vice-President, Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth at the African Development Bank.
