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As some countries, China, Austria, Denmark start to open up, experts believe that the long term effects of COVID-19 on some sectors, banking included are just getting started, so how will they cope? CNBC Africa is joined by George Odhiambo, Managing Director of KCB Rwanda for more.

How resilient are banks to COVID-19 effects?

By Chris Bishop



Kenneth Kaunda has seen it all in modern Zambia since he took the reins of power at the country’s birth in 1964 and celebrated his 96th birthday on April 28. Even then, I am sure he wasn’t prepared for the crazy days when he stood trial for allegedly sabotaging the very nation he fathered.



My mind went racing back to the colonial-style High Court in Lusaka, in 1998, with its Roman columns, &nbsp;sweeping drive and oval lawn at the front.



It is a trial neither of us will forget. In the dark of every Monday morning, for five months, I would leave home in Harare, not too long after midnight and drive with the crew to the Chirundu border. We would cross at day break and then drive hell-for-leather to Lusaka to catch the opening of proceedings at 9 AM – we would work all week end then drive back home arriving just before midnight on a Friday.



Kaunda, then a sprightly 74-year-old was arrested on Christmas Day 1997 and charged with assisting a failed coup months before, I also covered, that could have come from comic opera. On that summer’s day, a bunch of disgruntled, drunken, officers led a company of unwitting soldiers in storming ZNBC – the country’s TV channel. The soldiers &nbsp;smashed through the gates with armoured personnel carriers and many were soon dreaming of becoming the next &nbsp;minister of defence.



Their leader – calling himself &nbsp;Captain Solo more dramatic than his real name Captain Stephen Lungu – went on TV, clearly still under the influence, to threaten live executions on air. This power lasted as long as it takes to boil an egg. The rest of the Zambian army came down on ZNBC with a vengeance – an eye-witness told me the greatest difficulty they faced was winkling the comic opera warriors out of hiding in cupboards throughout the TV station.



I believe that Kaunda was as surprised as the rest of us by the coup, but that didn’t stop a beady-eyed government that – the year before – tried to strip the president of his citizenship. He was charged the world and its wife turned up at the High Court in Lusaka. At the time, we saw it as a clumsy attempt to kangaroo court Kaunda into jail and out of the political scene.



It was chaos on the first day of the trial. Outside, Kaunda supporters, from his party UNIP, sang songs and gave the party two-fingered victory salute.



“Veeeee!,” they shouted as we hurried up the long flight of steps and through the big wooden doors. Inside there were more journalists than police outside. A couple of guys broke court regulations to bring cameras inside and interviewed Kaunda in the dock.



“These are frightened little men trying to hurt me!” says Kaunda more than once in the interview. He had grown a big white beard in protest at his incarceration and looked a bit like &nbsp;Father Christmas.



As the hearing drew to a close on the first day, it was pandemonium. Police realised that the TV interview had been done in the dock they chased down the fleeing crews outside the court and tried to snatch their tapes. A cornered CNN camerawoman poked a Zambian policeman in the eyes with both fingers – kung fu style – before fleeing to the safety of the nearby US Embassy.



That night the Kaunda interview ran on thousands of television bulletins around the world. By breakfast time the next day, the police and army were hopping mad.



So it was, next morning, I had to rub my eyes when I arrived at court. Barbed wire had been thrown around the building, there were armoured vehicles parked outside. Everywhere there seemed to be police armed to the teeth. On the roof stood a line of soldiers with their rifles cocked; outside there was one journalist – me.



Yet inside an even bigger shock waited. There were airport security metal detectors and as I came through there were the head of police and the head of intelligence – a shaven-headed hulk of a man by the name of Xavier Chungu &#8211; waiting for me. I had said not a word before the two advanced towards me jabbing their fingers towards my head.



“You try to speak to that old man today and you will be severely man handled!” shouted the police chief as he snatched my notebook and started leafing through it.



“Yes, I can take you for a ride, you know what that means,” snarled Chungu. From my second year intermediate knowledge of state thuggery that meant a ride in the boot of a car followed by a beating at the end of it.



“Welcome to Zambia the warm heart of Africa!” was my sarcastic reply, with a smile, but I was angry.



What ensued was five months of argument. The judges acquitted Kaunda and there followed one of the biggest and most euphoric celebrations I have ever seen outside an African court. I can still see the lawyers for Kaunda – dressed in wigs and gowns – leaning out of the top windows of the building holding their fingers in the V for victory sign to the cheering crowds below.



A victory lap around Lusaka by the bearded Kaunda followed and was reported around the world with the narrative of an old man defiant and victorious over questionable politicians.At the time, we journalists joked : Kaunda 1 Government 0. &nbsp;



Twenty- two years on former President Frederick Chiluba and many of his ministers who oversaw the prosecution have passed on, so has the ill-fated Captain Solo.



The shaven-headed Chungu fell afoul of the authorities in Lusaka and was on the run &nbsp;for a while, before pitching&nbsp; up, surprisingly , in politics in the Democratic Republic of Congo &nbsp;in the 2019 elections. The head of police is presumably enjoying his pension.



Whereas Kaunda is still going strong with his peace work, powerful &nbsp;constitution, and famous sense of humour.



When I finally go to interview Kaunda on that memorable day, the last question I asked him, in jest, was why he was looking more like Father Christmas than an ex-African president. He laughed and beamed.



“Chris, Father Christmas, is that not a noble person to be?”



It probably is KK. Happy 96th birthday and thanks for the memory. &nbsp;

FS_Kenneth Kaunda_28-04-20202

How Kenneth Kaunda went on trial for sabotage-days of  chaos, soldiers and threats.

The South African National Treasury is replacing measures relating to the <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">COVID-19</a> Disaster Management Central Emergency Procurement Strategy.



The replacement follows concerns about the procurement process, stating that the approach adopted has excluded a number of domestic suppliers and has covered too wide an array of goods, especially goods that can be manufactured locally.



The following statement provides more information:



Measures for COVID-19 emergency procurement



National Treasury is replacing measures relating to Covid-19 Disaster Management Central Emergency Procurement Strategy, namely Instruction Note 3 of 2020/21 and Circular 101. The new measures will be Instruction Note 5 of 2020/21 for PFMA institutions and Circular 102 for MFMA institutions. The new Instruction Note and Circular will be on the National Treasury website soon.



The replacement follows various representations that have raised concerns about the procurement process, that the approach adopted has excluded a number of domestic suppliers and that it covered too wide an array of goods, especially goods that can be manufactured locally. The replaced Instruction Note and Circular were an initial response to the outbreak of the pandemic, and was to allow for urgent procurement of critical health products at a time of great global shortages. Given the rapid changes in demand for specialised products like testing kits and ventilators and further exacerbated by export bans, a national regulatory approach to procure goods centrally was required.



The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a new environment, necessitating procurement regulations to keep up with the rapid changes of demand. In the past few weeks there has been an increase in the number of companies able to respond to the emergency procurement needs.



National Treasury is fully committed to the Constitutional objective of having fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective procurement processes that take into account the need for procuring essential health products required to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. These processes should be compliant with the country’s imperatives of promoting structural transformation and broadening participation in the economy to strengthen economic development and empowerment of previously disadvantaged groups and individuals.



In response to the changing demand and supply as well as to give effect to the strict monitoring and reporting measures required during times of emergency procurement, the new Instruction Note and Circular will:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>provide measures to put in place for COVID-19 emergency procurement</li><li>open the supply of these products to all suppliers conforming to specifications and are registered on the Central Supplier database (CSD) of government. https://secure.csd.gov.za/]</li><li>outline the required PPE item specifications according to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), National Department of Health and World Health Organisation requirements</li><li>outline the maximum prices at which government will procure these PPE items</li><li>outline the emergency procurement, monitoring and reporting requirements</li></ul>



Issued by National Treasury



Date: 28 April 2020



For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>

International travel for South Africans is now allowed, this is how it will work

SA National Treasury introduces new measures for COVID-19 emergency procurement

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The fight against COVID-19 must include a climate change strategy that rebuilds stronger, inclusive economies geared for low carbon growth. That’s according to Former Nigerian Finance Minister and MD of the World Bank Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who was recently appointed to the WHO’s Covid19 special envoy. This follows her appointment to the African Union’s COVID-19 envoy earlier this month. Dr Okonjo Iweala joins CNBC Africa for more.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on why climate change should be part of Africa’s COVID-19 strategy

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South Africa&#8217;s President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as AU chair, recently chaired a virtual summit of the continental block in light of developments around COVID-19.

How the AU plans to cushion Africa from COVID-19 crisis

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As the number of businesses battling to survive due to lock-down are growing on a daily basis, the Property Industry Group has increased and extended its assistance and relief guideline for retail tenants. To find out what’s on the cards Estienne de Klerk, spokesperson for the Property Industry Group and Chairman of the SA REIT Association joins CNBC Africa for more.

COVID-19 lockdown: SA landlords reveal details of tenants’ assistance

By Chris Bishop



More than 10,000 companies with hundreds of thousands of workers in South Africa missed out on millions because they couldn&#8217;t fill their application forms properly for Unemployment Insurance Fund relief.



Around 103,000 companies, representing 1.35 million workers, applied to the UIF fund in the wake of the COVID-19 shutdown. Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, the tourism minister and chairperson of the government economic cluster on COVID-19, said 69,000 applications were processed and 862,000 workers will get money -about a third of their pay -from the UIF.



&#8220;Yet 10,000 applications were filled in with incorrect statements making it impossible for the forms to be processed,&#8221; Kubayi-Ngubane told a media briefing.



&#8220;We have contacted the companies and will give them another chance to refile their applications correctly.&#8221;



South Africa is set to ease its strict lock down regulations from midnight on April 30. Certain businesses will be able to operate again, the precious metals mines will be free to ramp up to 50% of production yet restaurants and bars will stay closed. Gatherings of more than 10 people will not be allowed.



The government briefing said that the South African government expected the COVID-19 outbreak to peak in September.

Clarification on COVID-19 “hotspots” as SA moves to level 3 lockdown

How 10,000 COVID-19 hit companies blundered and missed out on millions

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A coalition of partners is aiming to provide one million meals for vulnerable Nigerians every week. This comes as Nigeria prepares to gradually ease restrictions on the lock-down caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kola Masha, Founder of The Coalition and Managing Director of Babban Gona joins CNBC Africa for more.

COVID-19: Givefood targets one million meals for vulnerable Nigerians weekly

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CFG Advisory says the pandemic shock and the naira devaluation are expected to have a negative impact on the Nigerian economy. Tilewa Adebajo, CEO of CFG Advisory joins CNBC Africa for more.

CFG Advisory: COVID-19 shock & naira devaluation to negatively impact Nigeria

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Wema Bank reported 56.2 per cent risen in its full-year profit after tax for 2019. The commercial lender also reported a 32 per cent rise in gross earnings. Tunde Mabawonku, Chief Finance &#038; Strategy Officer at Wema Bank joins CNBC Africa to break down the numbers.

Wema Bank sees increase in FY’19 PAT

Wema Bank sees increase in FY’19 PAT, here’s how they plan to weather COVID-19 shocks

Lagos moves to decongest mortuaries & prisons

COVID-19: Lagos moves to decongest mortuaries & prisons

What do you do if you think you may have the coronavirus but there is no way that you can get yourself to a doctor for a test, well a company based in the Philippines has come out with an app that can help gauge that you may have the virus, and it is proving popular in Africa. Thousands of Africans are using <a href="https://covid19.enadoc.com/">the app</a>, dubbed Cornelia,  to test COVID-19 symptoms and Lars Jeppesen, CEO and Co-founder of Tech One Global.

This App helps you test COVID-19 symptoms before you get to the doctor

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As a result of the measures put in place by the government to control the spread of coronavirus, start-up companies are part of the groups that have been most affected. CNBC Africa spoke to the Senior Program Officer at Segal Family Foundation, Liana Nzabampema to find out more about how start-ups are being affected by the coronavirus outbreak and how Segal Family Foundation is supporting start-ups.

How start-up companies are navigating the COVID-19 environment

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday evening announced the gradual phasing out of the country&#8217;s lockdown in Ogun States, Lagos and Abuja from the 4th May.



Below is his full statement&#8230;



ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI,



PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE CUMULATIVE LOCKDOWN ORDER OF LAGOS AND OGUN STATES AS WELL AS THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ON COVID- 19 PANDEMIC AT THE STATE HOUSE, ABUJA MONDAY, 27th APRIL, 2020



1.            Fellow Nigerians



2. I will start by commending you all for the resilience and patriotism that you have shown in our collective fight against the biggest health challenge of our generation.



3. As at yesterday, 26th April 2020, some 3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded globally with about 900,000 recoveries. Unfortunately, some 200,000 people have passed away as a result of this pandemic.



4. The health systems and economies of many nations continue to struggle as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.



5. Nigeria continues to adapt to these new global realities on a daily basis. Today, I will present the facts as they are and explain our plans for the coming months fully aware that some key variables and assumptions may change in the coming days or weeks.



6. Exactly two weeks ago, there were 323 confirmed cases in 20 States and the Federal Capital Territory.



7. As at this morning, Nigeria had recorded 1,273 cases across 32 States and the FCT. Unfortunately, this includes 40 deaths.



8. I am using this opportunity to express our deepest condolences to the families of all Nigerians that have lost their loved ones as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is our collective loss and we share your grief.



9. Initial models predicted that Nigeria will record an estimated 2,000 confirmed cases in the first month after the index case.



10. This means that despite the increase in the number of confirmed cases recorded in the past two weeks, the measures we have put in place thus far have yielded positive outcomes against the projections.



11. The proportion of cases imported from other countries has reduced to only 19% of new cases, showing that our border closures yielded positive results. These are mostly fellow Nigerians returning through our land borders. We will continue to enforce land border arrival protocols as part of the containment strategy.



12. Today, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has accredited 15 laboratories across the country with an aggregate capacity to undertake 2,500 tests per day across the country.



13. Based on your feedback, Lagos State Government and the FCT with support from NCDC have established several sample collection centers. They are also reviewing their laboratory testing strategy to further increase the number of tests they can perform including the accreditation of selected private laboratories that meet the accreditation criteria.



14. Several new fully equipped treatment and isolation centres have been operationalised across the country thereby increasing bed capacity to about three thousand.



15. I commend the State Governors for the activation of State-level Emergency Operation Centres, establishment of new treatment centres and the delivery of aggressive risk communication strategies.



16. Over 10,000 healthcare workers have been trained. For their protection, additional personal protective equipment have been distributed to all the states.



17. Although we have experienced logistical challenges, we remain committed to establishing a solid supply chain process to ensure these heroic professionals can work safely and are properly equipped.



18. In keeping with our Government’s promise to improve the welfare of healthcare workers, we have signed a memorandum of understanding on the provision of hazard allowances and other incentives with key health sector professional associations.



19. We have also procured insurance cover for 5,000 frontline health workers. At this point, I must commend the insurance sector for their support in achieving this within a short period of time.



20. Nigeria has also continued to receive support from the international community, multilateral agencies, the private sector and public-spirited individuals. This support has ensured that critical lifesaving equipment and materials, which have become scarce globally, are available for Nigeria through original equipment manufacturers and government-to-government processes.



21. The distribution and expansion of palliatives which I directed in my earlier broadcast is still ongoing in a transparent manner. I am mindful of the seeming frustration being faced by expectant citizens. I urge all potential beneficiaries to exercise patience as we continue to finetune our logistical and distribution processes working with the State Governments.



22. Our Security Agencies continue to rise to the challenge posed by this unusual situation. While we feel deeply concerned about isolated security incidents, I want to assure all Nigerians that your safety and security remain our primary concern especially in these difficult and uncertain times. 23. As we focus on protecting lives and properties, we will not tolerate any human rights abuse by our security agencies. The few reported incidences are regrettable, and I want to assure you that the culprits will be brought to justice.



24. I urge all Nigerians to continue to cooperate and show understanding whenever they encounter security agents. Furthermore, for their protection, I have instructed that the personnel of all the security agencies be provided with the necessary personal protective equipment against infection.



25. As we continue to streamline our response in the centers of Lagos and the FCT, I am gravely concerned about the unfortunate developments in Kano in recent days. Although an in-depth investigation is still ongoing, we have decided to deploy additional Federal Government manpower, material and technical resources to strengthen and support the State Government’s efforts, with immediate effect.



26. In Kano, and indeed many other States that are recording new cases, preliminary findings show that such cases are mostly from interstate travel and emerging community transmission.



27. Drawing from these, I implore all Nigerians to continue to adhere strictly to the advisories published by the Presidential Task Force and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.



28. These include regular hand washing, physical distancing, wearing of face masks/coverings in public, avoidance of non-essential movement and travels and avoidance of large gatherings.



29. Fellow Nigerians, for the past four weeks, most parts of our country have been under either Federal Government or State Government lockdown. As I mentioned earlier, these steps were necessary and overall, have contributed to slowing down the spread of COVID-19 in our country.



30. However, such lockdowns have also come at a very heavy economic cost. Many of our citizens have lost their means of livelihood. Many businesses have shut down. No country can afford the full impact of a sustained lockdown while awaiting the development of vaccines.



31. In my last address, I mentioned that Federal Government will develop strategies and policies that will protect lives while preserving livelihoods.



32. In these two weeks, the Federal and State Governments have jointly and collaboratively worked hard on how to balance the need to protect health while also preserving livelihoods, leveraging global best practices while keeping in mind our peculiar circumstances.



33. We assessed how our factories, markets, traders and transporters can continue to function while at the same time adhering to NCDC guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.



34. We assessed how our children can continue to learn without compromising their health.



35. We reviewed how our farmers can safely plant and harvest in this rainy season to ensure our food security is not compromised. Furthermore, we also discussed how to safely transport food items from rural production areas to industrial processing zones and ultimately, to the key consumption centers.



36. Our goal was to develop implementable policies that will ensure our economy continues to function while still maintaining our aggressive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These same difficult decisions are being faced by leaders around the world.



37. Based on the above and in line with the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the various Federal Government committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters and the Nigeria Governors Forum, I have approved a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020.



38. However, this will be followed strictly with aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures while allowing the restoration of some economic and business activities in certain sectors.



39. Furthermore, new nationwide measures are to be introduced as follows; a. There will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am. This means all movements will be prohibited during this period except for essential services; b. There will be a ban on non-essential inter-state passenger travel until further notice; c. Partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services will be allowed for the movement of goods and services from producers to consumers; and d. We will strictly ensure the mandatory use of face masks or coverings in public in addition to maintaining physical distancing and personal hygiene. Furthermore, the restrictions on social and religious gatherings shall remain in place. State Governments, corporate organisations and philanthropists are encouraged to support the production of cloth masks for citizens.



40. For the avoidance of doubt, the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States shall remain in place until these new ones come into effect on Monday, 4th May 2020.



41. The Presidential Task Force shall provide sector specific details to allow for preparations by Governments, businesses and institutions. 42. In respect to the above guidelines, State Governors may choose to adapt and expand based on their unique circumstances provided they maintain alignment with the guidelines issued above. 43. To support our businesses and traders, the monetary and fiscal authorities shall deploy all the necessary provisions needed for production to continue and thus, jobs restored.



44. These revised guidelines will not apply to Kano State.



45. With regards to Kano, I have directed the enforcement of a total lockdown for a period of two weeks effective immediately. The Federal Government shall deploy all the necessary human, material and technical resources to support the State in controlling and containing the pandemic and preventing the risk of further spread to neighboring States.



46. I wish to once again commend the frontline workers across the country who, on a daily basis, risk everything to ensure we win this fight. For those who got infected in the line of duty, rest assured that Government will do all it takes to support you and your families during this exceedingly difficult period. I will also take this opportunity to assure you all that your safety, wellbeing and welfare remain paramount to our Government.



47. I will also recognise the support we have received from our traditional rulers, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and other prominent religious and community leaders. Your cooperation and support have significantly contributed to the successes we have recorded to date.



48. I will urge you all to please continue to create awareness on the seriousness of the coronavirus among your worshippers and communities while appealing that they strictly comply with public health advisories.



49. I also thank the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Task Force for all their hard work to date. Through this collaboration, I remain confident that success is achievable.



50. I also wish to thank corporate organisations, philanthropists, the UN system, the European Union, friendly nations, the media and other partners that have taken up the responsibility of supporting our response.



51. And finally, I will thank all Nigerians again for your patience and cooperation during this difficult and challenging period. I assure you that government shall continue to take all necessary measures to protect the lives and livelihoods of our citizens and residents.



52. I thank you for listening and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Central Bank of Nigeria cuts benchmark lending rate to 12.5%

Nigeria to phase out lockdown in Abuja, Lagos & Ogun States, these are the details

On Thursday South Africa&#8217;s President Cyril Ramaphosa said there would be a <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/coronavirus/2020/04/23/sa-to-phase-out-lockdown-these-are-the-details/">gradual phasing out of lockdown</a>, which was <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/news/2020/03/23/breaking-nationwide-lockdown-announced-in-south-africa/">implemented in March</a> to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19. Starting on the 1st of May the country will move from phase 5 to phase 4, here is a list of industries the country will reopen in the various phases, subject to change after consultation with business, labour and civil society: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2020-04-25-Permitted-goods-services-and-movement-Public-Version.pdf">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2020-04-25-Permitted-goods-services-and-movement-Public-Version.pdf</a>

shutterstock_155347391

These are the sectors SA is considering reopening in phase 4

Benson Kibiti, Director of Communications at Power for All



“At times, the catch is high yet we have nowhere to sell. If the county government revived the cold storage and fish value chain system, the prices of fish would fetch higher prices,” Fredrick Otieno, a fisherman on the western shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya says in an interview with the Business Daily. Otieno’s sentiments came after a cold storage plant funded by the European Union broke down in 2013. A day’s catch must be sold quickly or thrown away. For an industry that employs 12 million people (58% in the fishing and 42% in the processing sector) in Africa alone, lack of proper cold storage remains a serious problem for many fishing communities. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 16% of the total seafood loss occurs during post-harvest operations due to lack of proper cold storage, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).



FOR MORE ON COVID-19 VISIT: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a>



The fisheries sector is crucial to food and nutrition security, and its importance is growing given the need for food security and access to nutritious food during this time of high stress and uncertainty due to COVID-19. There is a need for sustainable healthy diets which are crucial in protecting people’s immunity as well as functional food supply chains. As former International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Director General Shenggen Fan, <a href="https://www.ifpri.org/blog/preventing-global-food-security-crisis-under-covid-19-emergency">writes</a>, “COVID-19 is a health crisis. But it could also lead to a food security crisis if proper measures are not taken.”



According to the latest <a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/publication/for-sub-saharan-africa-coronavirus-crisis-calls-for-policies-for-greater-resilience?cid=afr_tt_wbafrica_fr_ext">Africa’s Pulse</a>, the World Bank’s bi-annual analysis of the state of the region’s economies, COVID-19 has the potential to create a severe food security crisis in the region, with agricultural production contracting between 2.6% and 7% in the scenario with trade blockages. Transport routes blockages are particularly obstructive for fresh food supply chains but also affect basic grains and staples.&nbsp;



The seafood supply chain is highly dependent on a well-functioning cold chain and just like any other chain, it’s only as strong as its weakest link. It’s highly dependent on electricity to power refrigerators and freezers to maintain the quality of frozen fish products. If the power supply is interrupted, the whole chain can be jeopardized. Access to reliable electricity is, therefore, one of the most critical requirements to ensure the safety and quality of seafood in any cold chain. &nbsp;In rural and remote areas that are dependent on fishing but are challenged by little or no access to grid electricity, deploying decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions such as mini-grids and solar-powered freezers and refrigerators can help to reduce losses.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1110" height="371" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/food-loss-1110x371.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-369153" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/food-loss-1110x371.jpg 1110w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/food-loss-300x100.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/food-loss-768x257.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/food-loss-696x233.jpg 696w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/food-loss-1068x357.jpg 1068w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/food-loss.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px" /><figcaption>Fish and seafood loss and waste is shockingly high at over a third of all fish and seafood caught or farmed. Illustration by Mark Garrison, data from the FAO</figcaption></figure>



Fish and seafood loss and waste is shockingly high at over a third of all fish and seafood caught or farmed. Illustration by Mark Garrison, data from the FAO



Innovation is already happening across the continent. In Mozambique, Winrock International’s<a href="https://www.winrock.org/keeping-fish-fresh-in-mozambique/"> GreenTech project</a> is working with SunDanzer Refrigeration to develop solar chilling products for use by artisanal fish traders. In Ghana, a Munich-based solar system provider <a href="https://www.pv-magazine.com/2019/07/03/redavia-solar-lease-solution-keeps-fish-cool-in-ghana/">Redavia</a> recently installed a 90 kW solar PV system at Movelle’s cold storage facility for frozen fish products while in Nigeria, <a href="http://www.coldhubs.com/coldhubnews/allon-invests">ColdHubs</a> has deployed solar-powered cold rooms for coastal communities in Niger-Delta region to serve more than 200 fishermen and retailers. In Somalia, <a href="https://power-offgrid.com/">Power OffGrid</a> plans to build a solar-powered ice block making plant and a cold-storage facility in Cadale region, North of Mogadishu. “Lack of electricity to power cold storage facilities has kept fishermen fearful of rotting fish, or selling their catch at reduced prices in the afternoon before they turn sour,” said Abdullahi Malin, co-founder, and chief technology officer of Power Offgrid.



In the Islands of Lake Victoria in East Africa, local fishermen had been unable to organize the cold-chain and logistics to supply Tilapia to demand centers in Dar Es Salaam. <a href="http://www.jumeme.com/">JUMEME</a>, a solar mini-grid company, is closing this gap. The company purchases Tilapia from local fishermen paying fair prices making this business attractive to more and more fishermen, cleans the fish, deep-freezes the Tilapia using its locally generated mini-grid electricity, packs it in cooler boxes, delivers it via ferries to the mainland and onwards via lorries to wholesalers in Dar Es Salaam where the Tilapia is sold with a margin. Jumeme has created 60 permanent jobs for its employees, and over 45 fishermen are earning revenue from the business leading to increased income to 500 people in 108 households.&nbsp;



In Kisaba Village, located on Bukasa Island in Uganda, 90% of the income generated in the village is fishing related. Most people rely on flake ice as the main tool for preservation during handling and transport. But getting flake ice is not a simple task. Most fishmongers need to buy flake ice in Entebbe and travel six hours back to Kisaba village for use. This process is inefficient and costly.&nbsp; The <a href="https://spark.adobe.com/page/vMiRHcJ0UAi4b/">United Nations Capital Development Fund</a> (UNCDF) launched the Ssese Islands Mini-grid Project in 2018. The 100kW solar mini-grid helps offset the costs of ice by selling locally-made, lower-cost flaked ice to island fishers. As a result, fishmongers save an average of USD 2 per bag of ice. They also save time and saw about a 35% reduction in post-harvest losses.



The deployment of solar power in the seafood supply chain will not just enhance food security, it will also allow communities that are highly dependent on fishing to earn more. Besides improving economic gains through safe and expanded market connectivity, solar-powered cold-chains can help improve the resilience of fish farmers and the rural communities in which they are located. Without a reliable source of energy, the opportunity to increase incomes will remain unrealised.

Op-Ed: Tourism sector in Mauritius devastated by COVID-19

Op-Ed: With COVID-19 causing food insecurity, cold storage facilities are more important than ever for fishermen, here’s why…

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former finance minister of Nigeria, co-chair of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate



<a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">The COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis</a>, a tragedy that is all at once fast and slow-moving, personal and global. The virus has killed more than 150,000 people. Livelihoods have been hit hard as communities are cut off and businesses are forced to close. Country leaders are understandably looking for ways to <a href="https://www.wri.org/blog/2020/03/coronavirus-economy-low-carbon-investments">stimulate their economies</a> immediately. 



During a crisis of this scale, it is understandable to the familiar.&nbsp;But, for their own sakes,&nbsp;governments&nbsp;must avoid&nbsp;defaulting&nbsp;to familiar investment habits – namely,&nbsp;ramping up production and use of high carbon emitting fuels.&nbsp;



The pandemic, together with the Saudi-Russia oil price tussle last month, have had a stark impact on oil markets. Oil futures recently went&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/21/upshot/negative-oil-price.html">negative for the first time in history</a>. This has highlighted how vulnerable countries with fossil fuel-dependent economies are to volatile fuel prices: in Sub-Saharan Africa, oil exporting nations could&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uneca.org/stories/eca-estimates-billions-worth-losses-africa-due-covid-19-impact">lose up to $65 billion</a>&nbsp;in revenues in 2020 as crude oil prices continue to tumble. Even before COVID-19, the global transition to a low-carbon economy was sparking a decline in oil prices. The pandemic has only exacerbated this trend, underscoring the need for diversifying these countries’ economies.



This is the time to invest in diversifying the economy, to build resilience to future shocks, not lock-in further dependence on fossil fuels. Conversely, investing in renewables and better grids in many countries will enable wider access to energy and greater self-reliance, enabling countries to take control of their economic prospects and insulate themselves from whimsical oil and gas markets.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Efforts to boost economic growth out of this health crisis in a way that locks in more&nbsp;fossil fuel production&nbsp;and use&nbsp;will&nbsp;only&nbsp;exacerbate&nbsp;other health crises, including&nbsp;the ongoing climate crisis&nbsp;and air pollution crisis. This&nbsp;will have&nbsp;dire implications&nbsp;for&nbsp;communities through more frequent and severe natural disasters, and more rapid spread of&nbsp;infectious diseases due to climate change.&nbsp;



Climate-induced changes in the movement patterns of humans, animals and pathogens will make viral outbreaks&nbsp;<a href="https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2014/09/04/how-climate-change-is-exacerbating-the-spread-of-disease/">more common</a>.&nbsp;This is&nbsp;just one big reason&nbsp;why&nbsp;we must&nbsp;respond to COVID-19 by building&nbsp;back better in terms of&nbsp;economies that are resilient to future shocks&nbsp;and accelerating the transition to inclusive, low-carbon growth.&nbsp;



Moving away from&nbsp;fossil fuels is challenging, particularly&nbsp;in developing and emerging economies&nbsp;with pressing development&nbsp;needs.&nbsp;Before COVID-19&nbsp;was a household name,&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;was already&nbsp;working to bring over&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/future-development/2019/03/28/poverty-in-africa-is-now-falling-but-not-fast-enough/">400 million people</a>&nbsp;out of poverty and over&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/1180443/icode/">200 million</a>&nbsp;out of hunger.&nbsp;



Some&nbsp;countries,&nbsp;including my own Nigeria,&nbsp;are reliant on&nbsp;oil and gas&nbsp;production to&nbsp;help finance these social gains.&nbsp;A careful and just management of the&nbsp;low-carbon&nbsp;economic transition is&nbsp;essential, to avoid&nbsp;stranded&nbsp;industries,&nbsp;communities and workers, exacerbating&nbsp;inequality.&nbsp;



A&nbsp;better&nbsp;future,&nbsp;where all jobs are green and decent, poverty is eradicated, workers are supported, and communities are thriving and resilient&nbsp;across all sectors of the economy, starts with&nbsp;a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/---emp_ent/documents/publication/wcms_432859.pdf">just transition</a>&nbsp;today.&nbsp;That means&nbsp;working closely with affected workers and communities to ensure they benefit from the new economy that will emerge, while also directly investing in more diverse, clean energy alternatives and&nbsp;avoiding propping up failing oil and gas operations.



As the COVID-19 crisis has laid bare, robust social protection&nbsp;policies and programmes&nbsp;are&nbsp;essential to meet basic needs during periods of unemployment, re-training or education.&nbsp;A just transition means&nbsp;diversifying local economies, generating new industries, new services and&nbsp;building&nbsp;new&nbsp;essential&nbsp;skills&nbsp;across the workforce&nbsp;and&nbsp;adaptive capacity&nbsp;across&nbsp;communities&nbsp;to ensure they are resilient and benefit from a new climate economy. This&nbsp;will require new types of policies&nbsp;and accompanying investment.&nbsp;



Many&nbsp;wealthy regions are&nbsp;already&nbsp;supporting a just transition. Last year, Germany approved a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/bund-laender-einigung-zum-kohleausstieg-1712774">$45 billion</a>&nbsp;aid package for the nation’s coal regions&nbsp;and companies&nbsp;to&nbsp;support the transition to&nbsp;make the country coal-free by 2038.&nbsp;And the&nbsp;European Commission’s&nbsp;Green Deal, now a cornerstone of the EU’s COVID-19 response,&nbsp;includes a&nbsp;€100&nbsp;billion&nbsp;‘<a href="https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/newsroom/news/2020/01/14-01-2020-financing-the-green-transition-the-european-green-deal-investment-plan-and-just-transition-mechanism">Just Transition Mechanism</a>’&nbsp;to help retrain workers who lose jobs in shuttered coal mines or steel factories.&nbsp;Other&nbsp;countries&nbsp;are&nbsp;approving&nbsp;similar funding packages, but none of&nbsp;them&nbsp;include&nbsp;aid&nbsp;for&nbsp;the transition in&nbsp;developing nations.&nbsp;



Now more&nbsp;than ever,&nbsp;rich countries&nbsp;must&nbsp;support the&nbsp;developing world in the pursuit of a&nbsp;healthy and prosperous future for all.&nbsp;This is&nbsp;the time when we can and must design&nbsp;a new social contract, and&nbsp;demonstrate solidarity&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;communities that are the most vulnerable.&nbsp;We must apply every tool at our disposal to&nbsp;advance&nbsp;responses to the pandemic&nbsp;that&nbsp;secure incomes and jobs,&nbsp;address&nbsp;the&nbsp;immediate health needs,&nbsp;and promote&nbsp;a just transition forward&nbsp;toward an inclusive, low-carbon and resilient economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The COVID-19 crisis has laid bare the climate crossroads the world was already facing.&nbsp;This terrible moment in history demands us to&nbsp;build back better.&nbsp;The world’s larger economies have a responsibility to lead the&nbsp;charge.&nbsp;Fortunately,&nbsp;low-carbon&nbsp;solutions are cheaper and more available than ever before.&nbsp;The&nbsp;New Climate Economy&nbsp;finds that bold climate action could deliver&nbsp;<a href="http://newclimateeconomy.report/2018">$26 trillion in economic benefits</a>&nbsp;between now and 2030, and these benefits would start immediately. It could also generate over 65 million jobs in 2030.&nbsp;



We are living in uncertain and frightening times.&nbsp;But&nbsp;we must&nbsp;be brave. We must&nbsp;aim to&nbsp;do more than survive, we must thrive.&nbsp;We&nbsp;must&nbsp;improve lives&nbsp;by&nbsp;shifting away from&nbsp;dirty,&nbsp;carbon-intensive&nbsp;industries.&nbsp;Low-income regions cannot do this alone.&nbsp;The world’s&nbsp;developed economies must invest&nbsp;in a better way, a more just way.&nbsp;This&nbsp;is&nbsp;the challenge of our lifetimes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Newsletter

How resilient are banks to COVID-19 effects?

How Kenneth Kaunda went on trial for sabotage-days of chaos, soldiers and threats.

SA National Treasury introduces new measures for COVID-19 emergency procurement

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on why climate change should be part of Africa’s COVID-19 strategy

How the AU plans to cushion Africa from COVID-19 crisis

COVID-19 lockdown: SA landlords reveal details of tenants’ assistance

How 10,000 COVID-19 hit companies blundered and missed out on millions

COVID-19: Givefood targets one million meals for vulnerable Nigerians weekly

CFG Advisory: COVID-19 shock & naira devaluation to negatively impact Nigeria

Wema Bank sees increase in FY’19 PAT, here’s how they plan to weather COVID-19 shocks

COVID-19: Lagos moves to decongest mortuaries & prisons

This App helps you test COVID-19 symptoms before you get to the doctor

How start-up companies are navigating the COVID-19 environment

Nigeria to phase out lockdown in Abuja, Lagos & Ogun States, these are the details

These are the sectors SA is considering reopening in phase 4

Op-Ed: With COVID-19 causing food insecurity, cold storage facilities are more important than ever for fishermen, here’s why…

Op-Ed – Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: A global response to COVID-19 that doesn’t fully support developing countries is no response at all

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Newsletter

How resilient are banks to COVID-19 effects?

How Kenneth Kaunda went on trial for sabotage-days of chaos, soldiers and threats.

SA National Treasury introduces new measures for COVID-19 emergency procurement

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on why climate change should be part of Africa’s COVID-19 strategy

How the AU plans to cushion Africa from COVID-19 crisis

COVID-19 lockdown: SA landlords reveal details of tenants’ assistance

How 10,000 COVID-19 hit companies blundered and missed out on millions

COVID-19: Givefood targets one million meals for vulnerable Nigerians weekly

CFG Advisory: COVID-19 shock & naira devaluation to negatively impact Nigeria

Wema Bank sees increase in FY’19 PAT, here’s how they plan to weather COVID-19 shocks

COVID-19: Lagos moves to decongest mortuaries & prisons

This App helps you test COVID-19 symptoms before you get to the doctor

How start-up companies are navigating the COVID-19 environment

Nigeria to phase out lockdown in Abuja, Lagos & Ogun States, these are the details

These are the sectors SA is considering reopening in phase 4

Op-Ed: With COVID-19 causing food insecurity, cold storage facilities are more important than ever for fishermen, here’s why…

Op-Ed – Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: A global response to COVID-19 that doesn’t fully support developing countries is no response at all

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Advertise With Us

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