Mayors from across Africa reaffirmed their commitment to create and improve inclusive sanitation policies across African cities, at the 20th AfWA International Congress and Exhibition.
At the congress’ Mayors’ Forum, 12 African city leaders made commitments to strengthen City to City partnerships for advancing the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) agenda at city level. Strategies were agreed to implement the ‘Citywide Inclusive Sanitation’ (CWIS) approach to accelerate ‘access to Sanitation for all by 2030’.
Opened by Erias Lukwago, Lord Mayor of Kampala City, the Mayors’ Forum featured introductory comments from Africa Water Association and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a keynote address from WaterAid, and presentations from city leaders and sanitation experts. Participants also shared their practical experiences on progress made following the Cape Town 2019 Mayors’ Declaration last year, alongside panel discussions and brainstorming sessions to strengthen intercity partnerships.
The event was also attended by Political Heads of Local Authorities and cities from across Africa, development partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), CEOs from the utilities and private sectors, as well as High level Government Officials.
Participants were required to commit and demonstrate political will to take an innovative approach to leverage financing and adopt technical sanitation. Discussions focused on the need to develop comprehensive approaches to improve sanitation that encompass long-term planning, technical innovation, institutional reforms and financial mobilization, to benefit the lives and health of local populations.
Mayors from across Africa unite in Kampala to accelerate action on sanitation by 2030
Toshiba Wins Order in Ethiopia for Small Scale Geothermal Power Generation System for Wellhead
Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (hereinafter “Toshiba ESS”) today announced that the company, Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Turkish engineering company Egesim Energy Electro-Mechanic Construction Contracting Co., Ltd. have received an order of engineering, procurement and construction for Aluto Langano Geothermal Wellhead Power System in central Ethiopia, which is developed by the Ethiopian Electric Power (hereinafter “EEP”). Toshiba ESS will be in charge of supplying the steam turbine and the generator.
This project will proceed under the Grant Aid scheme of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Aluto Langano Geothermal Wellhead Power System is a 5 MW small scale geothermal power plant where EEP plans to commence commercial operations in August 2021. Toshiba ESS will deliver its small scale geothermal power generation system at this power plant.
The small scale geothermal power generation system that has been developed by Toshiba ESS generates power from geothermal resources with outputs ranging from 1 MW to 20 MW. Capable of being installed within a short period for early operation and it is a portable power generation system that can effectively utilize a small number of drilled wells.
Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous nation with a population of over 100 million. Although the country is growing economically, its electrification rate stands at 30%* and the country therefore faces the need to increase its power facilities.
Ethiopia possesses an equivalent of roughly 10,000 MW* of geothermal potential resources and the country is planning to develop new geothermal power plants totaling a capacity of roughly 2,500 MW* by the year 2030.
EIB confirms €3 billion of new investment across Africa in 2019
Last year, the European Investment Bank (EIB) provided €3 billion of new financing that will support €10.7 billion of transformational investment across Africa.
“Africa is a key priority for the European Union and the European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank is committed to working with African partners to accelerate and expand new investment that delivers sustainable development, tackles the climate emergency, creates jobs and improves lives across Africa. The €3 billion of new investment in Africa supported by the EU bank in 2019 builds on 57 years of engagement across 52 African countries. In recent months, the EIB has launched pioneering new initiatives to accelerate new investment essential to enabling women to fully participate in economic activity under the pioneering SheInvest programme, to ensure African innovation companies can expand and to combine our financial understanding with philanthropy to tackle malaria. said Werner Hoyer, European Investment Bank President.
The EU bank’s engagement in Africa will enhance economic opportunities, accelerate sustainable development, ensure access to finance, communications, clean water and clean energy for millions of people across the continent, and be reinforced with European Union engagement and policy priorities.
“The impact of EIB engagement in Africa is enhanced by our unique global technical, sector and financial experience, the expertise of EIB teams in our nine African offices and close cooperation with local project partners,” added President Hoyer.
African Union Executive Council endorses African Development Bank President Adesina for second term
The Executive Council of the African Union has supported Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s candidacy for a second term as President of the African Development Bank.
The decision was taken during the thirty-sixth Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council, held during the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 6-7 February 2020.
Adesina was elected to his first term as President by the Bank’s Board of Governors at its Annual Meetings in Abidjan on 28 May 2015. He is the eighth President of the African Development Bank Group and the first Nigerian in the post.
During his first term, the Bank’s shareholders approved a landmark $115 billion capital increase in late October. The increase in the capital base, from $93 billion to $208 billion, signaled strong support from the Board of Governors in the continent’s foremost financial institution.
Adesina is a renowned development economist who has held a number of high-profile international positions, including with the Rockefeller Foundation, and as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2011 to 2015.
The African Union Executive Council comprises 55 ministers of foreign affairs representing the member states of the African Union.
In December 2019, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also endorsed Adesina for a second term as Bank chief. The election will again take place at the Bank’s Annual Meetings in May in Abidjan.
