On the sidelines of the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP27), which closes on 18 November 2022...
On the sidelines of the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP27), which closes on 18 November 2022 in Egypt, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has unveiled the winners of its “YouthADAPT” initiative. For this second edition, the AfDB has rewarded 20 projects with USD 100,000 each for their climate innovations, particularly in the fields of agriculture, energy and waste.
Among the winners of this “Youth Adaptation Solutions Challenge” are Green Impact Technologies (GIT). The Lilongwe, Malawi-based start-up converts food waste into biogas and distributes a range of clean energy technologies such as solar water pumps and green cookers. There is also Agroexpert Farming based in Thies, Senegal. The company is active in agroecology and training local farmers in environmentally responsible food production.
“The African Adaptation Acceleration Programme (AAAP) aims to mobilise $25 billion over five years to scale up and accelerate climate adaptation measures in Africa. And one of its four pillars is this flagship YouthADAPT programme,” explains Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Centre for Adaptation (GCA), which co-organised the initiative.
Youth’s contribution to achieving the SDGs
At the last edition in 2021, YouthADAPT awarded six young people, including Cameroonian Juveline Ngum Ngwa for her eco-friendly ovens. Her Bamenda-based company Bleaglee Waste Management has launched a second waste sorting plant and developed software for its drones to identify waste that blocks drainage systems.
“Youth must be at the heart of everything we do to fight climate change, because they are creative and dynamic. From next year, we will double our efforts to reach a total funding of 4 million dollars to promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” says Akinwumi Adesina, the AfDB Group President.
Read also-AFRICA: AfDB’s 2nd YouthADAPT on Climate Innovation is launched
The pan-African financial institution recently granted a partial credit guarantee to the government of Benin. This flexibility will enable the West African country to raise funds in foreign currencies on long maturities from international investors for investments in areas related to sustainable development. These projects will create jobs for young people in agro-ecology, water and sanitation, health, eco-construction, education and renewable energy.
Benoit-Ivan Wansi
