UNDP/GEF climate change activities in Africa

By Ad Dankers and Ademola Salau, UNDP/GEF (edited by the editors)

The UNPD/GEF climate change portfolio for the period 1991-1997 amounts to $ 177.4 million. For Africa, 36 projects are included in the portfolio. Almost 60% of these projects are classified as “enabling” activities, 17% are within the purview of the Project Development Facility (PDF), and 22% are full fledged projects. A selection of these activities is briefly described below.

PV used for water pumping in Eritrea (above) and in Mali (below).

Ghana

For Ghana, enabling activities, a larger PDF, and a full project are included in the portfolio. The PDF activity led to the development of a full project, 'Renewable energy-based electricity for rural social and economic development in Ghana', to facilitate construction of renewable-energy-based electricity supply to more than 3,000 presently unelectrified communities.

Uganda, Malawi, & Eritrea

In Uganda, Malawi, and Eritrea, enabling activities have been carried out. In Uganda, the follow-up was the development of a full project, 'Photovoltaics for rural electrification,' with the long-term objective of dissemination and use of solar photovoltaic systems in rural areas that cannot be accessed by the grid, reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from the use of kerosene and diesel. Activities started late 1997. For Malawi, plans include a larger PDF activity, 'Barrier removal to Malawi renewable energy pro gram'. GEF activities for Malawi are closely coordinated with other ongoing UNDP activities in the area of sustainable energy; viz. SADC FINESSE (Southern African Development Corporation - program for Financing Small Scale Sustainable Energy Services) FlNESSE and a UNDP-Lilongwe-assisted National Sustainable Energy Program.

Zimbabwe

The 'Photovoltaics for households and community use' project in Zimbabwe was the first full project operational in Africa under the UNDP/GEF climate-change portfolio. The project, which expanded rural use of photovoltaics while assessing the technology and approaches to its promotion, will end soon. It aimed at providing a model for other African countries' efforts to develop off-grid electrification. It included measures to develop indigenous photovoltaics businesses, cooperation with the national utility, and analysis of the relevant national policies, including import duties.

South Africa

South Africa, who has ratified the climate change convention on Friday, 29 August, 1997, is now eligible for GEF assistance. Discussions have commenced to provide assistance in the area of energy-efficient housing. Part of the activities under SADC FINESSE in South Africa also relate to energy-efficient housing, and the two initiatives will cooperate on the issue.

Information:

- Ms. Mahenau Agha, UNDP/GEF information officer, ph.: +1-212-9066112, fax: +1-212-906-6998, e-mail: mahenau agha@undp.org.

- Mr. Ad Dankers, UNDPIGEF Climate Change Core Unit, ph.: +1-212-9066639 fax: +1-212-906-6998, e-mail: ad.dankers@undp.org.