The Department of Electricity and Energy and Eskom on Wednesday briefed the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy on the status of the nuclear new build programme and the extension of the Koeberg nuclear power station’s lifespan.

The department provided an update on the preparations underway for the 2 500 MW nuclear new build programme as directed in the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan. This includes market testing through a Request for Information, an analysis of potential ownership and financing models, and ongoing engagement with the National Nuclear Regulator. Eskom also presented details on the plans to extend the operational lifespan of the Koeberg nuclear power station by 20 years beyond its original design life, which will involve major equipment replacement and regulatory approvals.

Committee members raised several questions and concerns during the meeting. These included the affordability and cost-effectiveness of nuclear compared to renewable energy, especially given the fiscal constraints facing the country. There were also questions about the readiness and commercial viability of small modular reactor technology, which is still largely in the design and prototype phase, as well as the status and potential revival of the pebble bed modular reactor programme developed in South Africa.

The committee called for thorough public participation and transparency in the nuclear new build process, as well as ensuring alignment between the nuclear programme and the country’s energy and climate goals.

The department and Eskom committed to providing further information and responding to the committee members’ questions, including questions on the demand analysis, cost estimates, and plans to leverage South Africa’s nuclear fuel manufacturing capabilities. Committee members also stressed the importance of undertaking rigorous cost-benefit analyses and exploring all financing options, including public-private partnerships and vendor financing models, to ensure the nuclear programme is affordable and provides value for money. Concerns were also raised about the need to update the environmental impact assessments for the proposed nuclear sites given the time that has elapsed since the initial studies were conducted.

Committee Chairperson, Ms Nonkosi Mvano said the committee will continue to exercise oversight on the nuclear new build programme and Koeberg’s life extension as these critical energy infrastructure projects progress.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Lord Collins announces £25 million investment into African food and agriculture sector during keynote speech at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Kigali, Rwanda; Africa Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to partner with Africa on boosting its food trade, tackling the climate crisis and strengthening food and nutrition security to senior African leaders; Lord Collins will also meet the President, Foreign Minister and other senior Rwandan decision-makers to strengthen bilateral relations between the UK and Rwanda. 

Africa Minister Lord Collins has today [4 September] announced UK backing for a new investment facility that will accelerate the growth of Africa’s food and agriculture sector.

During his keynote speech at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2024, Lord Collins committed to providing £25 million for AgDevCo, a UK-based social impact investor dedicated to investing in African agribusinesses.

In the face of conflict and climate change, communities across Africa are grappling with high levels of hunger and malnutrition. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 4 are undernourished. Investing in Africa’s food markets is a crucial means of working with farmers, helping those at the forefront of the climate crisis and moving towards a world free from poverty.

The UK’s contribution is expected to yield an increase in income of £128 million for the farmers who benefit by 2036.

The Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury said:

“Improving food markets will have a game changing impact on individuals and families across Africa. Giving hard working farmers stable incomes, creating jobs for the youth and helping end malnutrition.”

“Without access to funding, no matter the drive and ingenuity, too many businesses can’t get off the ground.”

“That’s why I’m pleased to announce that the UK intends to back a new $50 million facility called AgDevCo Ventures. The UK will put in over half the funds, with AgDevCo collecting funds from other investors. AgDevCo’s funding and expertise will enable early-stage African agribusinesses to grow and increase Africa’s resilience to climate change.”

This funding will support the creation of AgDevCo Ventures, which will channel early-stage investment into small and medium-sized enterprises working within Africa’s agriculture sector. The UK government is contributing over half of the funds with matching contributions being raised from other investors, resulting in $50 million overall for the planned launch of AgDevCo Ventures in early 2025.

The new funding facility will work with small agricultural enterprises across Africa, with a particular focus on African owned and managed businesses.

Daniel Hulls, CEO of AgDevCo said:

“We are very grateful for the continued collaboration with the UK government.”

“This funding will allow us to leverage third-party capital and go back to investing in small, early-stage businesses.”

“We are excited about developing a new AgDevCo Ventures portfolio, and expect it to be high impact, deliver jobs and increased rural incomes by building the next generation of African agri-SMEs.”

There is evidence that small to medium-sized enterprises lack the financing options necessary to scale up. As a result, the UK is working alongside partners to pioneer new ways to finance agribusiness and mobilise other investors.

The demand for food and animal feed in Africa is projected to triple between 2010 and 2050, with the demand for food globally set to increase by 50%. UK investment will look to improve both African and global food and nutrition security by enabling enterprises in the agriculture sector to be better able to cater to the rising demand.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit opened on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, with the participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping and African Heads of State and Government, including Morocco.

Moroccan Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch is representing His Majesty King Mohammed VI at the Summit, which is taking place from September 4 to 6.

Akhannouch is accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita; the Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies, Mohcine Jazouli; Morocco’s Ambassador to Beijing, Abdelkader El Ansari; and the President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Businesses (CGEM), Chakib Alj.

The opening session of this key event was marked by the presence of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, along with the heads of several regional and international organizations.

At the Summit’s opening, Xi expressed China’s willingness to work with Africa to implement 10 partnership action plans over the next three years to jointly advance modernization.

“A third of the world’s population lives in China and Africa. There will be no global modernization without the modernization of China and Africa,” emphasized the Chinese leader, calling for elevating bilateral ties between Beijing and African countries to the level of strategic relations.

“Thanks to nearly 70 years of tireless efforts by both parties, China-Africa relations are now at their best in history,” said Xi.

The Summit’s program will include four high-level meetings focused on state governance, industrialization and agricultural modernization, peace and security, as well as quality cooperation under the “Belt and Road Initiative.”

The agenda for the 2024 edition of this must-attend event for economic operators from both sides also includes the 8th China-Africa Business Leaders Conference.

The Forum will be marked by the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Action Plan, along with a roadmap for implementing China-Africa cooperation over the next three years.

FOCAC, which is celebrating its 24th anniversary this year, is a premier partnership between China and the African continent, based on the cardinal principles of solidarity, cooperation, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Established in October 2000 in Beijing, FOCAC is China’s oldest regional forum. The mechanism gained prominence in 2006 when Beijing announced the creation of a $5 billion China-Africa Development Fund. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

Anyone who does not feel comfortable staying in overcrowded living quarters would be well advised to avoid ending up behind bars in South Sudan. The Wau Central Prison, designed to accommodate 250 people, currently holds 900 women, men and juvenile lawbreakers.

In a bid to decongest the facility, reducing the risk of health issues like skin diseases and tuberculosis in the process, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has funded and recently handed over a new two-ward building, capable of hosting 80 detainees to local authorities in Thuro-Majok in Jur River County.

“Contributing to prisons upholding minimum standards and offenders being treated with dignity is essential as it will better prepare inmates to reintegrate into society once they have served their sentences,” said Major Atong Ajak, Director of the Thuro-Majok facility, adding that partners providing inmates with necessary healthcare is also part of raising the standard of living of people being confined to cells.

Norbert Niyodusenga, Acting Head of the peacekeeping mission’s Field Office in Wau, stressed yet another key component when it comes to rehabilitating detainees.

“We want to reduce incidents of food insecurity as well, for example by giving convicts possibilities to farm fruits, vegetables and other crops,” he said, while also pointing out that such initiatives also give prisoners valuable skills with the potential of generating incomes.

On her part, Sara Cleto Rial, Governor of Western Bahr El Ghazal State, highlighted the collaborative nature of the process that made the construction of the new structure possible.

“Everyone has played a part in making this happen, starting with the community generously offering the land needed for the project. By working together, we can foster peace, security and development,” she noted.

The funding of the Thuro-Majok prison is part of the peacekeeping mission’s Quick Impact Project programme, with the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization being the partner constructing the buildings.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).