Tag: agriculture

Is Climate Financing Helping African Businesses Grow?

Is climate financing truly helping African businesses grow? This article explores how climate change is reshaping Africa’s business landscape and why access to climate finance is critical for MSMEs and farmers. Drawing on real-world examples from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tunisia, it highlights how microfinance institutions like Advans are integrating climate risk into financial products, insurance, and education to build resilience, support recovery from climate shocks, and enable sustainable business growth across the continent.

The Economics of Trust: Comoros and the UN’s Digital Trade Model

Comoros is leveraging UNCTAD’s ASYCUDA, deployed across 100-plus economies, to turn customs digitalization into macro-level gains, with export and import transactions up since 2020 and customs revenues rising despite headwinds. By aligning with international standards and preparing for an EU-funded expansion of its Single Window, the island economy is positioning itself to participate more effectively in AfCFTA trade corridors and to convert paperwork into policy-grade data.

Building with Women: How Microfinance Is Powering Women-Led Businesses in Africa

Across Africa, women-led businesses face challenges including limited access to collateral, financial literacy gaps, and gender norms restricting decision-making. Advans’ programs—such as El Beya in Tunisia, AdvansHer in Ghana, and VSLA-linked savings in Côte d’Ivoire—offer loans, coaching, and flexible financial tools designed for women. These initiatives have increased incomes, supported job creation, and expanded access to education, demonstrating how microfinance, women’s entrepreneurship, inclusive finance, and gender-focused financial services drive economic resilience and sustainable development.

First-Ever Large-Scale Climate Funding Targets Low-Emission, Climate-Resilient Dairy Systems in East Africa

A groundbreaking US$358 million Dairy Interventions for Mitigation and Adaptation (DaIMA) programme, led by IFAD and co-financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is transforming East Africa’s dairy sector into a low-emission, climate-resilient system. Operating across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, DaIMA will directly benefit 2.5 million farmers, boost milk production by 34%, and cut emissions by 2.1 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. Through innovation, policy reform, and climate finance, the programme strengthens food security, supports smallholders, and advances the region’s sustainable agricultural transformation.

Global Climate-Livestock Conference Comes to Africa for the First Time

For the first time, the International Greenhouse Gas & Animal Agriculture Conference (GGAA) is being hosted in Africa, spotlighting the continent’s vital role in global efforts to reduce livestock-related emissions. Held in Nairobi, Kenya, GGAA2025 brings together scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore climate-smart, locally tailored solutions that support both emissions reduction and food security. The conference highlights actionable innovations and champions the inclusion of the Global South in climate-livestock policy and research.

Africa’s leading digital innovation agency warns: Future of AI in SA will define who holds power

Specno, Africa’s leading digital innovation agency, warns that the future of AI in South Africa will determine who controls power. Chairman Daniel Novitzkas highlights the risk of centralised superintelligence concentrating wealth and influence, while advocating for personal superintelligence (PSI) that empowers individuals, supports education, healthcare, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, and could allow Africa to leapfrog into a new era of inclusive digital growth.

Lesotho.biz – A Smart Digital Asset Investment

Lesotho.biz, a premium exact-match domain representing the Kingdom of Lesotho, is now on auction at SEDO. This short, memorable, and globally recognizable domain is ideal for businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors seeking a digital foothold in Lesotho or targeting international audiences. With its .biz extension, it is perfectly suited for e-commerce, tourism, trade platforms, and national branding projects. As a rare digital asset in a politically stable and emerging economy, Lesotho.biz offers a strategic opportunity to establish a strong online presence and capitalize on growing interest in the region.

Opportunity International Agriculture Finance Programming Celebrates $500 Million Invested in Smallholder Agriculture in Sub Saharan Africa

Opportunity International has reached a major milestone with $500 million invested in smallholder agriculture across Sub-Saharan Africa. Through partnerships with 26 financial service providers in 12 countries, the Agriculture Finance program has empowered over one million smallholder farming households with access to affordable finance, digital tools, regenerative agriculture practices, and localized support networks. These efforts are transforming rural communities, increasing food security, and reducing poverty through sustainable farming and inclusive economic growth.

How Fintech is Bridging the Financial Inclusion Gap for Africa’s Smallholder Farmers

Smallholder farmers in Africa face growing climate threats yet remain largely excluded from traditional financial systems due to lack of credit histories, collateral, and infrastructure. This article explores how fintech innovations — from mobile lending and digital wallets to AI-powered credit scoring and blockchain — are transforming financial access for rural farmers. By leveraging alternative data and user-friendly platforms, fintech is helping build climate resilience, boost agricultural productivity, and close a $117 billion financing gap. The piece also emphasizes the importance of cross-sector collaboration to drive scalable, inclusive, and sustainable financial solutions.