Tag Archives: Farmers

Agriculture, AMA

Guinea Launches AgriConnect Compact to Transform Agri-Food Systems, Strengthen Food Security, and Create Jobs

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Washington, USA, 04 May 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The Government of Guinea, in partnership with the World Bank Group, today announced the launch of the Guinea AgriConnect Compact. This integrated strategic framework aims to accelerate sustainable transformation of agrifood systems, strengthen food and nutrition security, create decent jobs, and position agriculture as a key driver of inclusive growth and industrialization.

The initiative is aligned with the 2040 Simandou Agenda, specifically its Pillar 1, which identifies agriculture and livestock as key drivers for economic diversification, export development, and job creation. It is based on a strengthened and complementary coordination approach involving the Government, the World Bank Group through the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), as well as technical and financial partners, the private sector, and producer organizations.

The compact aligns three priorities: rural infrastructure, public reforms and investments, and mobilizing private finance around shared goals for agricultural transformation, job creation, and food security.

“AgriConnect enables a better coordination of the World Bank Group’s instruments – IDA, IFC and MIGA – to support Guinea in a profound transformation of its agriculture,” said Issa Mare Diaw, World Bank Group Resident Representative for Guinea. “By combining reforms, public investment, and private sector engagement, we aim to help build more productive, resilient, and inclusive agri-food systems that can deliver food security while creating jobs.”

Priority value chains identified include rice and poultry – to strengthen food security and reduce reliance on imports – complemented by maize and soybeans as strategic inputs. The compact also supports high-potential diversification and export value chains, including fonio and mangoes.

“With the AgriConnect Compact, Guinea is taking a decisive step forward in positioning agriculture as a central pillar of economic transformation, directly linked to the opportunities offered by the Simandou corridor,” said Aminata Kaba, Minister of Agriculture. “Our ambition is to ensure long-term food security, create decent jobs for youth and women, and promote competitive, resilient and market-oriented agriculture.”

“The livestock sector occupies a strategic place in our food security and import substitution policy, particularly for the poultry sector,” said Félix Lamah, Minister of Livestock. “The AgriConnect Compact will build the capacity of producers, improve access to essential inputs such as maize and soybeans, and develop more efficient and inclusive livestock value chains.”

By 2030, the AgriConnect Guinea Compact aims in particular to contribute to: (i) a significant improvement in food and nutrition security, (ii) the creation of hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the agricultural and agri-food value chains, particularly for young people and women, (iii) the reduction of dependence on imports of staple foods, particularly rice and poultry products, and (iv) the valorization of the export potential of products such as fonio and mangoes.

“The AgriConnect Compact is fully in line with our ambition to build a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous Guinea,” said Mariama Ciré Sylla, Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget. “It reflects our desire to make agriculture and livestock farming real levers for transformation, job creation and economic sovereignty, in line with the Simandou 2040 Program and our national economic diversification agenda.”

AgriConnect is a World Bank Group initiative to help 300 million smallholder farmers around the world to better valorize their crops to increase their incomes by 2030. It is supported by partners such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Bayer, and Google.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

Contacts
In Conakry for the World Bank:
Zubah Beavogui,
+224 625259536
zbeavogui@worldbankgroup.org

For the Ministry of Agriculture:
Kadiatou Bah,
+224 628462692
attachee.cabinet@agriculture.gov.gn

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AMA, Business, Environment

Nigeria’s Heat Crisis Is Fueling a New Wave of Startups

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LAGOS, Nigeria, 29 April 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ – As heat intensifies across Nigeria, a new cohort of ventures is developing solutions to protect crops, reduce food spoilage and livestock losses, and equip hospitals and outdoor workers to anticipate and withstand extreme conditions.

BFA Global, FSD Africa, ClimateWorks Foundation, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Nigeria have selected 10 early-stage ventures to join the inaugural cohort of the TECA Heat Action Wave (THAW) program focused on accelerating solutions to extreme heat.

The 10 selected ventures are:

  • Ofemini Global Limited provides a heat-resilient logistics platform that helps farmers transport perishable goods efficiently, reducing spoilage caused by extreme temperatures through optimized routing and heat monitoring.
  • Agiletech Operations Consulting Limited provides a hyperlocal early-warning system that delivers climate and heat alerts through accessible channels, enabling farmers and micro-entrepreneurs to anticipate risks and take preventive action.
  • Emplaris develops a predictive energy and heat-risk intelligence system for healthcare facilities, helping hospitals anticipate outages and manage equipment stress during extreme heat events.
  • Doorcas Africa delivers an AI-powered livestock health and co-ownership platform that enables early disease detection and prevention, helping farmers reduce heat-related livestock mortality and improve productivity.
  • Farmxic offers an AI-driven soil and crop diagnostics platform that helps farmers adapt to heat-induced soil degradation and crop stress through real-time insights and personalized recommendations.
  • Farm Fresh Grocery Ltd. builds a climate-resilient agricultural system combining heat-adaptive beekeeping, herb production, and consumer products to stabilize yields and supply under rising temperatures.
  • Farmslate Technologies Limited provides a climate intelligence platform that translates satellite and weather data into actionable insights, enabling farmers and financial institutions to manage heat-related risks and improve decision-making.
  • Let-It-Cold offers a solar-powered, portable cooling solution that helps small businesses and households preserve perishable goods during extreme heat and power outages.
  • Pod develops a climate-resilient sanitation system that prevents failure and contamination in heat- and flood-prone environments through on-site treatment and water reuse.
  • TheHyWing Ltd provides a climate-smart digital health platform that combines heat alerts, AI diagnostics, and telemedicine to prevent heat-related health risks among outdoor workers and vulnerable populations.

Together, the ventures address some of the most immediate and under-addressed impacts of extreme heat across Nigeria, including food spoilage and cold chain gaps, heat-induced soil degradation and crop stress, livestock disease and productivity loss, health risks for outdoor workers, and system failures in energy, healthcare, and sanitation infrastructure. They range from early-stage concepts to minimum viable products, reflecting both the urgency of the problem and the early development of solutions in this emerging space.

The cohort reflects a growing innovation ecosystem across Nigeria, with ventures operating in multiple regions. The companies are based in Lagos, Kaduna, and Edo States. This geographic spread underscores the breadth of climate innovation emerging across the country and reinforces TECA’s commitment to supporting founders building locally relevant solutions nationwide.

Selected from a competitive pool, the ventures will each receive $56,000 in funding along with hands-on venture-acceleration support, including user validation, product development, business model design, and investor readiness. Each team will work with embedded venture builders and technical experts to accelerate their path to scale. Six of the ten selected ventures have a female co-founder.

“Extreme heat is rapidly becoming one of the biggest operational risks facing African economies, yet it remains dramatically underinvested,” said Tyler Ferdinand, TECA Director at BFA Global. “Through TECA’s Heat Action Wave, we’re backing entrepreneurs building the tools, services, and financial products that will allow people, businesses, and cities to function in a hotter world. Our goal is not only to support these ventures but to prove that climate adaptation can become a powerful new investment frontier.”

Juliet Munro, Director, Early Stage Finance, at FSD Africa, said: “If climate adaptation finance is going to scale in Africa, it has to be grounded in real, investable solutions. This group of innovators tackling extreme heat is important because it shows what those solutions look like in practice, and that’s what gives markets the confidence to follow. At FSD Africa, our role is to help turn early innovation like this into something markets can actually back.”

“The cost of inaction on climate change is growing, as over 70% of workers around the world are at risk from deadly extreme heat. At the same time, momentum for adaptation is growing, as we see both more funding and more innovation. These new business ventures are strong, community-led solutions that can accelerate resilience in Nigeria and more broadly in the West African region,” said Jessica Brown, Senior Director of Adaptation and Resilience at ClimateWorks Foundation.

“Responding to climate change is central to Nigeria’s future growth and resilience. The UK is excited to support this cohort of ambitious Nigerian businesses developing transformative solutions to extreme heat. TECA’s Heat Action Wave is part of a broader UK partnership with Nigeria that backs private sector–led innovation, creates jobs, and drives shared prosperity for both our countries as we transition to a greener economy,” said Temi Akinrinade, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Nigeria.

The program will run through 2026, culminating in demo days and investor engagement opportunities, with follow-on support available for top-performing ventures.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of BFA Global

About BFA Global
BFA Global is an impact innovation firm that combines research, advisory, venture building, and investment expertise to build a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient future for underserved people and the planet. We partner with leading public, private and philanthropic organisations, global and local, to catalyse innovation ecosystems for impact across emerging markets. Since 2006, we have completed 646 projects completed in over 107 countries, supported 250+ ventures in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, who have collectively raised $1B+ in follow-on funding, and have a survival rate above 80% (global average is ~20%), and built a network of 100+ global and African investors, innovators, and funders. Learn more at https://bfaglobal.com/.

About FSD Africa
FSD Africa is a specialist development agency funded through UK Development operating in more than 30 countries working to help make finance work for Africa’s future. Based in Nairobi, FSD Africa’s team of financial sector experts work alongside governments, business leaders, regulators, and policymakers to achieve policy and regulatory reform, capacity strengthening, and improving financial infrastructure, to address systemic challenges in Africa’s financial markets. Since 2017, the organisation’s strategy has evolved to prioritise solutions to Africa’s most critical challenges: economic, social, and environmental. The organisation has worked to promote investment into the continent’s green economy, as well as its rates of financial inclusion and gender equality. FSD Africa – previously known as Financial Sector Deepening Africa – was founded in 2012 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya. For more information, please visit:https://www.fsdafrica.org

About ClimateWorks Foundation
ClimateWorks Foundation is a catalyst for accelerating climate progress, driving bold solutions that benefit people and the planet. We connect funders and implementing organizations worldwide to create and scale transformative solutions across sectors and geographies, achieving faster, greater impact together. Since 2008, ClimateWorks has granted over $2 billion to more than 850 grantees across 50 countries, working alongside 80 funders.

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AMA

Three years of war: Sudan’s people abandoned and hungry

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Rome, Italy,14 April 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- On the eve of three years of devastating war, the Sudanese people are still being left to cope with intense fighting and widespread suffering. Conflict is killing and injuring countless civilians, and leaving millions without access to food, shelter or sanitation, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today.
The international community has failed to prevent and end this conflict and to protect the Sudanese people from atrocities,” said Carl Skau, WFP’s Deputy Executive Director, who just returned from Darfur. “The people I met in camps have been through hell. They have fled their homes leaving everything behind and now live in appalling conditions. They deserve so much better. We need to make sure they are not let down again and provide the basic support they need.”

More than 19 million people still face acute hunger in Sudan, and famine continues to haunt parts of the country as violence, displacement and economic collapse grind on. Communities have been cut off from food, markets, and aid, and children have been forced to miss three years of education, with their future hanging in the balance. Sudan remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with almost two‑thirds of the population now in urgent need of assistance to survive.

Sudan’s hunger crisis now risks being compounded by the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. Disruptions in the Red Sea are delaying critical imports, driving up the cost of food, fuel and fertilizer. Fuel prices in Sudan have increased by over 24 percent, driving up food prices and leaving millions unable to afford the most basic staples.

These same disruptions are also directly impacting humanitarian operations, with delayed shipments and higher transport costs. The combined impact could push families across the country deeper into food insecurity.

“The women I spoke to across Sudan told me they don’t have enough to feed their children and have no access to the most basic services,” warned Skau. “WFP and the humanitarian community have the experience and capacity to step up our support. But to do so, we need humanitarian aid to be allowed to move freely, safely and at scale – and we need far more funding.”

WFP is hyper‑prioritizing famine zones and hard‑to‑reach areas, reaching 3.5 million people each month with emergency food, cash and nutrition assistance. Two‑thirds of those WFP assists are in Darfur and Kordofan, where famine is confirmed and where fighting is heaviest. More than two million children under five and more than 500,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls benefited from nutrition assistance last year.

WFP is also sustaining livelihoods and local food systems: During the last harvest season, WFP-supported farmers produced nearly one fifth of the country’s wheat, strengthening the local economy and reducing food insecurity.

“We need to continue investing in the future of the Sudanese people,” said Skau. “We can help communities rebuild their lives by expanding our support for farmers to grow their own food again and by providing school meals to help enable children to return to school. But we need the funding to do it.”

WFP food assistance has dropped by 14 percent since January, as compared to last year, due to a lack of resources; the agency urgently requires more than USD 600 million to sustain life-saving operations in Sudan for the next six months.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Food Programme

Note to editors:
High-resolution photos available here
Broadcast quality video footage can be downloaded here

About World Food Programme
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media

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Travel & Tourism

Fine Dining Restaurants You Must Visit in Cape Town

Maravi Post Reporter

Over-the-top dining, theatrics, and journeys “around the world” are just some of the many treats that await you when you visit a fine dining restaurant in Cape Town.

From aesthetics and curated menus to world-class wine and beverage pairings, these restaurants are redefining the fine dining scene in the Mother City.

Here are some to add to your bucket list:

Fyn Restaurant

Voted one of The World’s 100 Best Restaurants, Fyn is changing the game when it comes to fine dining and flavours. Culinary greats Peter Tempelhoff, Ashley Moss, and Jennifer Hugé are at the forefront of this award-winning eatery, blending Japanese precision with South African flavours in an urban, industrial-chic setting. The menu is carefully curated, with pescatarian and plant-based options available, all plated with flair. As the folks at Fyn would say: “Check your assumptions with your coats and join us on a journey of flavour discovery.”

Location: 37 Parliament St, Cape Town City Centre
Contact: Visit fynrestaurant.com/

FYN Restaurant

Homespun by Matt

Homespun by Matt in Blouberg is unassuming at first, located among some of the area’s top foodie spots. Once you step inside, you enter a whole new world, adorned with antique gems and upcycled items. Everything has a story, from the hotel doors turned dining tables to old mirrors used as lights. The menu is an adaptation of European cooking methods, influenced by Asian, local, and, as owner Matt Schreuder describes it, “worldly flavours.” Opt for their tasting menu, which can be adapted for vegetarian and pescatarian eaters, or their three-course menu, both with the opportunity to pair with the finest wines.

Location: Porterfield Rd, Table View
Contact: Visit www.homespunbymatt.co.za

Salon

Salon, a multi-course dining journey by Luke Dale Roberts, draws inspiration from his global travels and culinary adventures. The Journey menu offers a curated selection of dishes that start in South Africa and traverse through Mexico, Japan, France, Korea, and the Philippines. Each dish enhances the theatrical experience, which can be paired with cocktails, wine, or tea at an additional cost. The menus are adapted for pescatarian and vegetarian preferences, though vegan, alcohol-free, and allium-free options are unavailable.

Location: Ist Floor, silo building, The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Rd, Woodstock
Contact: salonct.co.za/

La Colombe

La Colombe is no stranger to the fine dining scene in Cape Town, having won a slew of awards, including World’s 50 Best (49th) and Best Restaurant in Africa for 2024 and Eat Out Best Restaurant in South Africa in 2025. The menu is carefully curated for all tastebuds, with a reduced menu on offer for those who are not big eaters. This Contemporary French-meets-Asian fine dining experience also offers a reduced vegetarian and Chefs Menu. Your experience can be paired with some of the region’s award-winning wines.

Location: Silvermist Wine Estate, Main Road, Constantia Nek
Contact: lacolombe.restaurant/food

The Happy Uncles

Known as South Africa’s first halal fine dining experience, The Happy Uncles showcases 4, 6, and 8-course menus, merging South African cuisine. The restaurant, located at The Spice Yard in Salt River, offers a laid-back interior. Elevated menu items such as amagwinya, West Coast crayfish, and malva pudding are worth a try. As the menu changes seasonally, repeat visitors are treated to even more tantalising options.

Location: 100 Voortrekker Rd, Salt River
Contact: Visit www.thehappyuncles.com/

Heirloom, The Cape Grace

For views of Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront, Heirloom at The Cape Grace luxury hotel is worth a visit. Beyond the indulgent views, the restaurant introduces a fresh culinary vision to the city’s celebrated food scene. Led by the esteemed Chef Gregory Czarnecki, the menus are inspired by the abundant landscapes of the Western Cape and crafted to sustainably source the freshest seasonal ingredients from local farmers and suppliers. Guests can choose from three menus: the Heirloom Tasting & Degustation Menu, the Plant-Based Menu, and the Pescatarian Menu. There is also an À la carte menu with 2 and 3-course options.

Location: W Quay Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Contact: Visit www.capegrace.com/restaurant/heirloom-restaurant/

The Red Room, Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel

You will be wowed the moment you walk down the moody red-panelled staircase into The Red Room at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel. The restaurant from Liam Tomlin and chef/partner David Schneider is a sophisticated retro celebration of Pan-Asian cuisines. Expect plenty of red, gold, and black, warm lighting, smoky glass wall panels, rich contemporary fabrics, artworks, and much more.

Gluten-free and halal options are available (the restaurant does serve pork and alcohol but can accommodate guests with their vegetarian or pescatarian menus).

Location: 76 Orange St, Gardens
Contact: Visit www.chefswarehouse.co.za/the-red-room

The Red Room, Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel

The Restaurant at Precious Hidden Valley

Celebrating sustainability, bold African ingredients, and purposeful gastronomy, The Restaurant at Precious Hidden Valley is a must-visit for foodies.
The space, co-created by Bjorn and Patrice Motsepe with Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, the restaurant brings New African Gastronomy to life, blending ancient international techniques with a modern African vision. Expect dishes like biltong-cured kudu, beeswax-cured buffalo, lamb, and duck, all paired with their range of wines.  Pescatarian options available on request.
Location: Annandale Rd, Stellenbosch NU, Stellenbosch
Website: www.hiddenvalleywines.co.za

Seebamboes

Anouchka Horn and Neil Swart, the duo behind Belly of the Beast and Galjoen, are back at it with their latest culinary adventure, Seebamboes. Perched on the mezzanine above Galjoen, this intimate spot flips the idea of ‘surf and turf’ on its head, turning it into something playful, surprising, and seriously delicious. The set tasting menu is all about pushing boundaries, blending sea and land ingredients in creative, unexpected ways. With just a handful of seats available each night, the experience feels exclusive. Think high tables, tall chairs, and a striking rectangular window framing an unexpected view of Table Mountain behind the chefs. As always, sustainability and local sourcing are at the heart of it all, with bold flavours and inventive combinations stealing the show.

Location: 99 Harrington St, District Six, Cape Town.
Website: www.seebamboescpt.co.za/

Seebamboes

Marble Cape Town

Co-founders Chef David Higgs and entrepreneur Gary Kyriacou brought Marble to the V&A Waterfront, blending their signature fire-focused philosophy with the city’s renowned seafood culture. Housed in the historic Union Castle Building, the space reflects Cape Town’s natural elements-wind, sea, and earth- while floor-to-ceiling glass facades offer breathtaking 360-degree views of the city. Tuck into signature starters like snoek pâté with magwenya and lamb and beef tartare with pickled waterblommetjies. Or devour Marble’s celebrated wood-fired Chalmar ribeye, alongside new creations such as mussel paella and line fish with burnt leeks and roasted fish bone sauce.

Location:  1 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
Website: bit.ly/4bM89S2

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AMA, Business, Environment

New era of climate cooperation can deliver stability in an unstable world: UN Climate Change Executive Secretary

MaraviPost

ISTANBUL, Turkey, 12 February 2026-/UN Climate change News/-African Media Agency(AMA)/-Speaking in Istanbul alongside incoming COP31 President Murat Kurum of Türkiye, United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said cooperation on climate change can provide the cure to current political turmoil.

“We find ourselves in a new world disorder. This is a period of instability and insecurity. Of strong arms and trade wars. The very concept of international cooperation is under attack,” said Stiell in his first major speech since COP30. “But climate action can deliver stability in an unstable world. Climate cooperation is an antidote to the chaos and coercion of this moment, and clean energy is the obvious solution to spiralling fossil fuel costs.”

He pointed to huge progress that has taken place in the past year.

“In the decade since Paris, clean energy investment is up tenfold – from two hundred billion dollars to over two trillion dollars a year.”

“And, in 2025, amidst all the economic uncertainty and gale-force political headwinds, the global transition kept surging forward: Clean energy investment kept growing strongly, and was more than double that of fossil fuels.”

“Renewables overtook coal as the world’s top electricity source.”

This real economic change built on progress in international climate negotiations and through national action.

“The majority of countries produced new national climate plans that will help drive their economic growth up and – for the first time – global emissions down.”
“At COP30: a trillion dollars for clean grids, and major investments in forest protection, climate health, and much more.

COP30 also saw significant momentum in intergovernmental negotiations, including an agreement to triple adaptation finance to USD 120 billion a year by 2035, which will benefit African nations, as well as agreement on indicators to measure this progress.

Looking ahead to COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, and COP32 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Stiell highlighted a four-point plan for progress:

  1. Rapidly scaling up a global pipeline of clean energy and climate resilience projects and match making between countries, companies, and investors at coming COPs.
  2. “Hyper-charging the flow of finance” especially to developing countries, and all across Africa, ensuring countries have the support they need to deliver climate plans.
  3. Building momentum through “coalitions of the willing” working on initiatives including roadmaps to transition away from fossil fuels and halt deforestation.
  4. Moving the work of UN Climate Change closer to the real economy and working with Parties to improve climate negotiations.

Additional Resources

Figures cited in the speech can be found here:

Results from the COP30 Action Agenda

During COP30 the Brazilian Presidency and United Nations pushed for real economy progress through an Action Agenda. Key achievements include:

  • A trillion-dollar global pipeline for clean grids and energy storage, helping countries move toward reliable and affordable power.
  • USD 5.5 billion in new commitments for the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, with at least 20 percent flowing directly to local communities and Indigenous Peoples.
  • More than USD 9 billion in new investment across land and food systems, covering over 210 million hectares of land and reaching millions of farmers.
  • Nearly 438 million people worldwide are becoming more resilient to climate shocks under the Race to Resilience campaign.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of UN Climate

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Agriculture, AMA

Senegal Launches AgriConnect Compact to Transform its Agriculture Sector

MaraviPost

Washington, USA, 11 February 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- The Government of Senegal, in partnership with the World Bank Group, today announced the launch of the AgriConnect Senegal Compact. This strategic initiative aims to transform the country’s agri-food systems and improve food security for millions of Senegalese.

Aligned with the Senegal National Agenda for Transformation 2050 and the Food Sovereignty Strategy (SSA 2025-2034), the AgriConnect Pact is a harmonized implementation mechanism mobilizing the Government of Senegal and the World Bank Group – through the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) – as well as technical and financial partners, the private sector and producer organizations.

The initiative focuses on three priority value chains: grains, horticulture, and livestock. It is based on three axes: (i) making structural investments in agricultural infrastructure and services; (ii) revising sectoral policies to improve the business environment; and (iii) encouraging more private investment to spur innovation and competitiveness.

By 2029, the AgriConnect Compact aims to achieve more than 90% food security at the national level and create 800,000 formal jobs in the agricultural sector. Among the objectives set are an increase in the cereal coverage rate from 48% to 78%, rice self-sufficiency to 64%, and the establishment of 100 community-based agricultural cooperatives across the country.

In addition to its strategic orientation, this ambition represents a significant shift in the design, coordination, and implementation of national agricultural and food policies.

“AgriConnect is a model platform for structuring a pipeline of projects related to the National Transformation Agenda. Thanks to sector program contracts that involve all stakeholders, it aims to achieve the expected impacts of the Senegal Vision 2050, which is sovereign, just and prosperous,” said Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, Minister of State to the President of the Republic, in charge of monitoring, steering and evaluating the Senegal 2050 National Agenda for Transformation. “This platform embodies the strategic coherence sought in the structuring of sectors, engines of sustainable growth. The highest government authorities attach particular importance to results-based management during the implementation of these multisectoral programs. Thus, it is expected that the stakeholders in this initiative will aim for operational efficiency to improve the well-being of the population.”

The partnership is part of a national dynamic, which places food sovereignty at the heart of the country’s transformation agenda.

“The AgriConnect Pact aims to concretely transform the lives of our populations,” said Mabouba Diagne, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock. “These are families that will be able to better feed their children, farmers who will see their incomes increase and stabilize, young people who will find jobs and a future in modern and profitable agriculture. This direct improvement in living conditions, both in our countryside and in our cities, will guide our implementation with the World Bank Group, our partners, and the private sector.”

The World Bank Group is committed to supporting Senegal in translating its goals into lasting impacts for its people.

“What drives us in AgriConnect is the belief that Senegalese agriculture can feed Senegal, create opportunities for its youth, and become an engine of shared prosperity,” said Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa. “Through the coordinated action of IDA, IFC and MIGA, we want to catalyze a dynamic where public and private investment converge towards a single objective: to make food sovereignty and jobs a tangible and lasting reality for every Senegalese.”

The governance of the Pact is ensured by the Minister of State, responsible for monitoring the Senegal 2050 National Agenda for Transformation, with operational implementation entrusted to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock via its ” Delivery Unit “. A joint steering committee will be established for planning, coordination and monitoring with the support of the Technical Group of Partners (GTP).

The Compact was developed in consultation with the following technical and financial partners: the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Program (WFP), the French Development Agency (AFD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Kingdom of the Netherlands, MasterCard Foundation and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Word Bank Group.

Contacts
At the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock of Senegal:
Penda Mbow,
(221) 77 274 52 37
mbowpendarts@gmail.com

At the World Bank Group in Dakar:
Seydina Alioune Djigo,
+221 77 442 66 70
sdjigo@worldbankgroup.org

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Travel & Tourism

Your Neighbourhood Guide to Khayelitsha

Maravi Post Reporter

As Cape Town’s largest township, Khayelitsha is a hub of culture and creativity. Just off the N2, visitors to Khayelitsha can gain an authentic insight into local life through art, music, food, and inspiring stories. To make the most of your experience, we recommend booking a tour with reputable local guides who know the area well and can safely introduce you to the township and its activities.

Here are some must-do activities to add to your Khayelitsha visit:

Where To Eat

The Spade Boutique Hotel & Spa

The Spade Boutique Hotel’s restaurant and bar offer a diverse menu featuring seafood, platters, African cuisine, and desserts. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, with a specially curated menu for kids. If you want the full hotel experience, we recommend booking an overnight stay.

Location: 8 Alfred Nzo St, Mandela Park
Contact: Visit thespadeboutiquehotel.co.za


Kwa Ace EKitcheni

With both indoor and outdoor seating and a kid-friendly atmosphere, Kwa Ace EKitcheni is best enjoyed with good company. The menu features South African stews, pastas, burgers, meat platters, and pizzas.

Location: 158 Phakamani Rd, Khayelitsha
Contact: Visit www.facebook.com/eKitchen

Kwa Ace EKitcheni

Siki’s Koffee Kafe

Siki’s Koffee Kafe is a coffee shop founded by Sikelela Dibela. Siki’s is driven by a mission to inspire empowerment and positive change, one coffee at a time. Drop by for one of their signature brews and see why this spot has earned its reputation as a local favourite.

Location: 7 Ntaba Street, Khayelitsha
Contact: Visit www.instagram.com/sikis_koffee/

Siki Coffee Shop in Cape Town

Things To Do

Khaltsha Cycles

Khayelitsha’s first one-stop bicycle shop offers guided cycling tours for anyone eager to explore the area on two wheels. If you want to improve your skills before hitting the road, try their learn-to-cycle classes for adults and teenagers. Try the half- or full-day Coffee, Art, and Bikes tour, or let the team create a personalised package for you.

Location: Khayelitsha Mall at 1 Julius Tsolo St
Contact: Visit www.khaltshacycles.co.za

Khaltsha Cycles
Khaltsha Cycles

Isivivana Centre

This state-of-the-art cultural and community hub, supported by Atlantic Philanthropies and operated by the Khayelitsha Youth & Community Centre (KYCC) Trust, offers something for everyone. You will find a library, a cinema, a café, and even an outdoor amphitheatre. Entry is free, although some experiences and events may require a small fee.

Location: 8 Mzala Street, at the Corner of Mzala & Julius Tsholo Streets, Khayelitsha
Contact: Visit isivivanacentre.org.za/

Isivivana Centre

Abalimi Bezekhaya

Experience community-led farming at Abalimi Bezekhaya, where micro-farmers in the Cape Flats townships cultivate fresh, organic vegetables. Visits are by appointment only, so be sure to reserve your spot.

Location: Abalimi Bezekhaya: 33, 2 Mobile Rd, Airport Industria
Contact: Visit abalimibezekhaya.org.za/

Go on an Art Tour

Explore Khayelitsha’s vibrant creative scene on curated art tours with ABCD Concepts or Juma Art Tours. Discover the work of talented local artists, from murals and contemporary paintings to distinctive crafts, and hear the stories behind the art and the artists themselves.

Juma Art Tours

Rands Cape Town

You can’t visit Khayelitsha without planning a trip to Rands, a lifestyle destination loved by locals for its live entertainment, dining, and braaiing. Founded in August 2015, visit if you want to dance until sunrise, enjoy traditional dishes, or socialise in style. PS: Their Sunday events are a proper jol. Check out their socials for the latest event information.

Location: Shop 6 Khaya Bazaar, Makhabeni Road, Khayelitsha.
Contact: Visit www.instagram.com/randscapetown/

Recommended Tour Operators

ABCD Concepts

Email: contact@abcd-concepts.co.za
Phone: +27 67 044 4631
Website: www.abcdconcepts.co.za

Imzu Tours

Email: info@imzutours.co.za
Phone: +27 73 507 3622
Website: www.imzutours.co.za

Juma Art Tours

Email: juma.mkwela@gmail.com
Phone: +27 734004064
Website: www.jumaarttours.co.za

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The post Your Neighbourhood Guide to Khayelitsha appeared first on Cape Town Tourism.

AMA, Environment

COP30 Belem Boost delivers benefits for Africa; UN applauds African solidarity and speed in endorsing COP32 in Ethiopia

MaraviPost

BELEM, Brazil, 23 November 2025-/African Media Agency(AMA)/-The COP30 conference in Belem, Brazil showed that climate cooperation is producing results that matter for people’s lives, with real benefits across African nations. 194 countries representing billions of people have said in one voice that the Paris Agreement on climate change is working, and resolved to make it go further and faster.

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Climate Change said:

“We see progress in a new agreement on just transition, signaling that building climate resilience and the clean economy must also be fair, with every nation and every person able to share in its vast benefits. 

“For the first time, 194 nations said in unison that the global transition to low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilience is irreversible and the trend of the future.”

COP30 in the Amazon also delivered a major win for African climate leadership, as 194 countries unanimously endorsed Ethiopia’s proposal to host the COP32 global climate conference in 2027. The global endorsement followed the swift endorsement of the African Group of nations, whose turn it is to determine the location of the COP climate conference in 2027.

Simon Stiell applauded the decision: “I warmly congratulate Ethiopia for stepping up to take this vital role on the world stage, building on its climate leadership to date, and I commend the Africa Group for reaching agreement inclusively and swiftly.” 

“This is more than a diplomatic milestone. It signals Africa’s growing role in shaping global climate action and championing solutions that drive growth, jobs, resilience, and secure and affordable energy for all.” 

COP30 reaches historic agreement on adaptation finance  

A major breakthrough for vulnerable nations came with the a collective commitment in Belem to work toward tripling adaptation finance. This is a significant step forward for Africa where climate change impacts are already threatening food security, health systems and infrastructure. 

Tripling adaptation finance will help countries scale up climate-resilient agriculture, protect communities from floods and droughts, strengthen early warning systems, and support local development plans grounded in national priorities. 

For many African nations, predictable and accessible adaptation finance is essential to safeguarding lives today and securing economic stability for the years ahead. The COP also reached agreement on a series of indicators to assess adaptation work. 

Results from the COP30 Action Agenda 

During COP30 the Brazilian Presidency and United Nations pushed for real economy progress through an Action Agenda. Key achievements include: 

  • A trillion-dollar global pipeline for clean grids and energy storage, helping countries move toward reliable and affordable power. 
  • USD 5.5 billion in new commitments for the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, with at least 20 percent flowing directly to local communities and Indigenous Peoples. 
  • More than USD 9 billion in new investment across land and food systems, covering over 210 million hectares of land and reaching millions of farmers. 
  • Nearly 438 million people worldwide are becoming more resilient to climate shocks under the Race to Resilience campaign. 

These outcomes show how climate action is already delivering benefits in energy, food security, nature protection, and resilience. They also underscore the importance of ensuring Africa’s climate priorities remain central to global progress.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of UN Climate Change

The post COP30 Belem Boost delivers benefits for Africa; UN applauds African solidarity and speed in endorsing COP32 in Ethiopia appeared first on African Media Agency.