The Gap That Keeps Growing: What UNEP’s Emissions Reports Have Been Telling Us All Along

Behind every emissions graph is a person like Aisha — waiting for rain that never comes. UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2025 reminds us: closing the gap isn’t just science, it’s survival.

'We still need unprecedented cuts to greenhouse gas emissions – now in an ever-compressing timeframe and amid a challenging geopolitical context. And let us not forget that the world is not even on track to meet the 2030 pledges. Policies currently in place are pointing the world towards up to 2.8°C of warming...'  

- UNEP Executive Director (Inger Andersen)

When the rains stopped coming on time, Aisha knew the maps on her phone were no longer just numbers — they were warnings. She runs a small market garden outside Arua (West Nile region of Uganda); her neighbours’ cassava, once a steady green, was patchy and thin. “We planned for two seasons,” she told me over tea, “but the weather plans for itself.” Her story is one among millions that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has tried, year after year, to convey through charts into a single, blunt lesson: promises without deep cuts leave people vulnerable (UNEP, 2025).

Since the first Emissions Gap Report in 2010, UNEP has returned to the same core message like a doctor checking a fever: the world is not cutting greenhouse-gas emissions fast enough, and the gap between what countries pledge and what science says is needed continues to persist (UNEP, 2010; UNEP, 2019). The report series is an annual pulse-check—measuring global emissions trajectories, comparing them to pathways that would limit warming to 1.5 °C or well below 2 °C, and naming the shortfall. That steady framing has helped move the debate from vague intentions to hard arithmetic: how much more needs to be done, and how fast (UNEP, 2022).

In the villages and cities, that arithmetic has a face. For Aisha, the Emissions Gap Reports’ repeated warnings about near-term targets—the need for deep cuts by 2030 and 2035—translate into the urgency to shift to drought-resistant crops and to lobby for local water infrastructure. UNEP’s recent findings are unequivocal: to keep 1.5 °C within reach, global greenhouse-gas emissions must fall by roughly 40–55 per cent by 2035 compared with 2019 levels. (UNEP, 2024; UNEP, 2025). For communities like Aisha’s, those numbers mean the difference between adaptation and devastation.

Another consistent message UNEP has delivered is that policy detail matters. It’s not enough to announce “net zero by 2050” — governments must align short-term actions with those long-term pledges. Each annual report has pushed countries to close the gap between ambition and implementation by strengthening nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and enacting concrete, near-term policy measures (UNEP, 2021). For people on the frontline, this translates into whether new renewable-energy projects are funded today, not promised for some distant future.

Finally, UNEP has consistently cautioned against over-reliance on speculative carbon-removal technologies as a substitute for immediate emissions cuts. The 2023 and 2025 reports highlight that avoiding emissions now is far cheaper and more effective than banking on future technologies — a point that resonates with vulnerable farmers who can’t wait for a laboratory fix (UNEP, 2023; UNEP, 2025).

Above all, the message that threads through every edition of the Emissions Gap Report is both scientific and deeply human: every fraction of a degree avoided spares lives, livelihoods and ecosystems (UNEP, 2022). For Aisha, that’s no abstract metric — it’s the difference between a harvest that feeds her children and one that doesn’t.

The Emissions Gap Reports have always been more than numbers; they are annual reminders that climate policy must match the urgency people already feel in their fields, homes and futures. If leaders listen, the next rains can come as planned. If not, the gap will keep telling the same story — only the faces it affects will change.

References

• UNEP (2010). The Emissions Gap Report 2010. United Nations Environment Programme.
• UNEP (2019). Emissions Gap Report 2019. United Nations Environment Programme.
• UNEP (2021). Emissions Gap Report 2021: The Heat Is On. United Nations Environment Programme.
• UNEP (2022). Emissions Gap Report 2022: The Closing Window. United Nations Environment Programme.
• UNEP (2023). Emissions Gap Report 2023: Broken Record – Temperatures Hit New Highs, Yet World Fails to Cut Emissions. United Nations Environment Programme.
• UNEP (2024). Emissions Gap Report 2024: No More Hot Air… Please!. United Nations Environment Programme.
• UNEP (2025). Emissions Gap Report 2025: Off Target. United Nations Environment Programme.

Beyond the Numbers: Rethinking Outcome-Based Financing for Africa’s Energy Future

 

Solar lamps are charged with small solar panels at a refugee camp following floods in Malawi.
(Photo: Ashley Cooper / Getty Images)

Outcome-based financing (sometimes called results-based financing or pay-for-results) was meant to drive results and accountability in Africa’s energy sector. Yet delays in payments, complex verification systems, and unequal access are revealing deeper flaws. This piece argues that for Africa to achieve universal energy access, financing must focus on people — not just numbers.

In a small village near Masindi, Mid-western Uganda, Grace (not real name) runs a solar business that’s changing lives. Her customers — many of them rural families — are switching on lights for the very first time. The air in their homes is cleaner, children can study after dark, and local shops stay open longer.

Grace’s company was part of a results-based financing programme — a model that rewards businesses for verified outcomes, like the number of households connected to clean energy. At first, everything looked bright. But then, cracks began to show.

When Results Take Too Long to Pay

A few months in, Grace found herself waiting — not for customers, but for payments. Verification agents had to confirm each household’s connection before she could get paid. Some customers had relocated, others defaulted on payments, and the paperwork took months to process.

Her business nearly stalled. Like many small African energy entrepreneurs, Grace didn’t have the cash flow to bridge those long waiting periods.

This is one of the key loopholes in outcome-based financing: it assumes that small firms can shoulder the financial risk while waiting for “results” to be verified (ESMAP, 2023). In reality, many can’t — especially in rural markets where every shilling counts.

Counting Connections vs. Creating Impact

Outcome-based financing (OBF) was designed to make development funding more accountable and impactful (World Bank, 2023). But the question is — what counts as an “outcome”?

Many OBF programmes focus on easy-to-measure results like “number of solar systems sold” rather than long-term impact — such as affordability, reliability, or how energy access improves livelihoods (SEforALL, 2024).

Grace got paid for connecting households, not for ensuring those lights stayed on six months later. That’s a common story across Africa — where short-term numbers often outshine long-term sustainability.

The Equity Gap

There’s also a fairness problem. OBF schemes tend to work best in semi-urban or accessible regions where customers are easier to reach and verify (Lighting Global, 2021). Remote communities — the ones most in need of power — are often left out because the cost of verification is too high.

Ironically, the model meant to drive inclusion sometimes ends up excluding those furthest behind.

Complexity and Capacity Gaps

The contracts and reporting systems behind OBF are usually designed by international donors or development banks (African Development Bank, 2022). They’re full of technical jargon, data requirements, and audit demands that can overwhelm local entrepreneurs.

Grace isn’t alone — many small African clean energy firms say the system is too complex and expensive to navigate. As a result, larger, donor-savvy companies dominate, even when they’re less connected to community realities.

Lighting a Fairer Way Forward

Despite the challenges, there’s momentum for change. Some initiatives now blend grants with results-based payments, giving entrepreneurs breathing room while still rewarding performance (GOGLA, 2022).

Others are testing digital verification tools — using mobile data, smart meters, and GPS mapping to confirm results faster and cheaper (SEforALL, 2024).

For entrepreneurs like Grace, these reforms could make all the difference. Because ultimately, outcome-based financing should empower — not burden — those who bring light to Africa’s off-grid communities.

As the continent races toward universal energy access, financing models must do more than count connections. They must power fairness, trust, and resilience — the true outcomes Africa needs to shine.

References

·         African Development Bank (2022). Unlocking Finance for Decentralized Energy Access in Africa. AfDB Energy Sector Report.

·         ESMAP (2023). Results-Based Financing for Energy Access: Lessons from Africa. World Bank.

·         GOGLA (2022). Results-Based Financing to Catalyse Off-Grid Solar Market Growth. Global Off-Grid Lighting Association.

·         Lighting Global (2021). Outcome-Based Financing Mechanisms: Lessons and Insights from the Field. World Bank Group.

·         SEforALL (2024). Powering Inclusion: The Future of Results-Based Financing in Africa’s Energy Transition. Sustainable Energy for All.

·         World Bank (2023). Paying for Results: The Promise and Pitfalls of Outcome-Based Financing in the Energy Sector. Washington, D.C

Powering Change: How Uganda’s Small Businesses Are Lighting the Way for a Greener Future

A biogas system (Kakungube-Kassanda district) to manage poultry manure while generating energy for cooking, brooding, as well as the generation of biofertiliser (Photo: Ecosafe)

On the outskirts of Mukono town near Kampala City, Sarah Nanyonga runs a small bakery that smells of sweet, freshly baked mandazi. But unlike most bakeries, Sarah’s oven doesn’t rely on charcoal or firewood. Instead, it’s powered by a locally made biogas system that converts organic waste from her kitchen into clean energy.

“I used to spend more than UGX 150,000 every month on charcoal,” she says, smiling as she stirs dough. “Now, I use that money to buy more ingredients and even pay my workers on time.”

Sarah’s story is just one example of how Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda are taking the lead in transforming the country’s energy systems—while also protecting the environment and supporting livelihoods.

A Silent Revolution in Energy and Livelihoods

Across Uganda, SMEs account for over 90% of the private sector and employ more than 2.5 million people. These enterprises are often at the heart of rural and peri-urban economies—running agro-processing units, carpentry workshops, small restaurants, metalworks, car garages, and trading centres. Their daily operations heavily depend on energy, often sourced from non-renewable sources such as firewood, charcoal, or diesel.

But a shift is happening, partly due to reduced supply and escalating prices of charcoal and firewood and the pervasive electricity constraints due to high cost and the unstable supply. From solar-powered maize mills in Jinja to eco-briquette production in Gulu, SMEs are rethinking how they power their work. Many are embracing renewable energy solutions not only to cut costs but also to inherently reduce their environmental footprint.

Take ECOSAFE Limited - a Ugandan enterprise that deals in construction/ installation, repair, maintenance, after-sales and extension services of biogas digesters of various sizes and types. They focus on biogas systems (Sistema.Biobolsa, Fixed-Dome: CARMATEC and BSU 2016 designs and supply of biogas appliances & accessories), which provide biogas for cooking and lighting, among other applications, but also contribute to improved sanitation, health, and agricultural productivity for the locals. ECOSAFE Limited targets households, farmer/dairy groups/cooperatives, local/urban authorities, government agencies, and research institutions. Biogas Solutions Uganda Limited, a Company entrusted to nurture the biogas sector in Uganda, awarded ECOSAFE Limited the best biogas construction enterprise 2018, 2019. ECOSAFE Limited specially targets educational institutions through practically demonstrating and enabling children right from childhood to appreciate the notion that ‘waste is misplaced wealth’ that can be transformed into clean energy, a nutrient-rich soil conditioner, while contributing to improved sanitation.

In Northern Uganda, Divine Bamboo Group produces sustainable bamboo charcoal briquettes that burn longer and cleaner than traditional charcoal. This is against the backdrop that bamboo grows fast and has an average rotation of four years, requires minimal maintenance, no fertilisers or pesticides and can be integrated in both agroforestry and mixed farming systems. Divine Bamboo produces high-quality, clean and affordable briquettes produced from fast-growing local bamboo species and already existing agricultural waste as a sustainable cooking fuel alternative to conventional biomass fuels like charcoal and firewood that are driving high deforestation rates in Uganda. In addition, the company employs youth and women, providing training in sustainable forestry and clean energy entrepreneurship.

How SMEs Can Lead the Energy Transition

SMEs have the flexibility to innovate quickly and adapt solutions to local realities. However, their potential is often limited by access to finance, technical know-how, and policy support.

To unlock this potential, Uganda can learn from other parts of the Global South. In Kenya, for instance, small enterprises like Solar Sister empower women to distribute solar lamps and clean cookstoves in remote communities. In India, microenterprises supported by the government’s Ujjwala and Solar Saubhagya programs have expanded energy access to millions of households.

Uganda’s recent National Energy Policy (2023) offers a foundation for similar partnerships as it also counts on the private sector and civil society in its full realisation. By connecting SMEs to green financing, incubation hubs, and market incentives, the country can fast-track an inclusive energy transition that uplifts communities. The Energy Policy (2023) aims to ensure a sustainable, adequate, affordable, competitive, secure, and reliable supply of energy at the least cost geared to meet national and county needs while protecting and conserving the environment. The energy sector still faces the challenges of financing. An appropriate mix of financing resources from the Government (Central and local), private investments, and bilateral and multilateral partners is vital for successfully implementing the Policy.

Lighting the Path Forward

When small businesses go green, the ripple effects are powerful: cleaner air, healthier workers, more resilient livelihoods, and reduced pressure on Uganda’s forests.

Back in Mukono, as Sarah stacks her golden-brown mandazi on trays, she reflects on her journey. “Clean energy didn’t just change my business,” she says. “It changed how I think about the future.”

Her story—and many others like it—shows that Uganda’s path to sustainable energy isn’t just about technology. It’s about people, enterprise, and the courage to do things differently with the planet in mind.

 

 

Turning Africa’s E-Waste Challenge into a Circular Economy Opportunity

 

Source: Geneva Environment Network

In a small workshop on the outskirts of Kampala (in Katwe), 28-year-old Timothy dismantles an old computer with steady hands. What once seemed like junk to many is now his source of livelihood. The wires, chips, and plastic casings spread across his table represent a growing reality for Africa — the continent’s digital rise has brought not only opportunity but also a surge in electronic waste (e-waste).

Each year, the International E-Waste Day is held on 14 October as an opportunity to reflect on the impacts of e-waste and the necessary actions to enhance circularity for e-products. The 2025 Theme is ‘Recycle Your E-waste – It’s Critical!’ Geopolitics are highlighting how important these materials are. And while many people have heard about Critical Materials (CRMs) by now, not all of them know that these elements can be recovered from unused or broken electronic products sleeping in our garages, drawers and attics (Geneva Environment Network, 2025). This is why the 2025 edition of the International E-Waste Day will focus on raising awareness about this fact.

For example, across Africa, mobile phones, solar systems, and computers are transforming lives — connecting farmers to markets, lighting up rural homes, and enabling remote education. But behind this progress lies a mounting environmental cost. In 2019 alone, Africa generated over 2.9 million tonnes of e-waste, and less than 1% of it was formally recycled (Forti et al., 2020). Much of the rest ends up in informal dumps or is burned, releasing toxic fumes that threaten human health and ecosystems.

The Policy Backbone: Responsibility Starts at the Top

For years, many countries have operated without strong e-waste laws. Yet change is taking root. Nigeria and Rwanda are leading the charge with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies that hold manufacturers accountable for what happens to their products after use (Manomaivibool, 2020). If expanded across the continent, EPR could shift the burden of waste management from taxpayers to producers — and finance proper collection and recycling systems.

People Power: Inclusion and Awareness

Most e-waste in Africa is processed by informal workers — people like Timothy — who recover valuable materials but often without safety gear or knowledge of the risks. Excluding them would be a mistake. Integrating these recyclers into the formal economy through training, protective equipment, and incentives could turn a hazardous activity into a green industry. Public awareness campaigns and school programs could also change mindsets about what “waste” really means — showing that discarded electronics can hold economic and environmental value (Nnorom & Osibanjo, 2008).

Building the Future: Infrastructure that Works

Africa’s recycling capacity remains thin, but examples like Rwanda’s Enviroserve facility prove what’s possible. Opened in 2017 with support from the Rwanda Green Fund and UNDP, the plant can process over 10,000 tonnes of e-waste a year, safely extracting metals and plastics while employing and training local technicians (UNDP, 2017). It’s not just recycling — it’s job creation and environmental restoration in one package.

Beyond Africa, lessons can be drawn from India’s Attero Recycling, which scaled from a startup in 2008 into one of the world’s largest e-waste firms. By formalising the role of informal waste pickers and using clean technology to recover gold, copper, and silver, Attero turned what was once dangerous work into a structured value chain (Dwivedy & Mittal, 2012). Africa can emulate such models — adapting them to local realities and building regional recycling hubs.

A Circular Vision: Waste as Wealth

Every old phone and broken laptop contains valuable metals — gold, copper, and rare earths — waiting to be recovered. Embracing a circular economy means reusing, repairing, and recycling instead of discarding. Imagine if sites like Agbogbloshie in Ghana, once notorious for unsafe recycling, were transformed into centres of innovation, where young entrepreneurs use clean technology to recover materials safely. That’s the kind of transformation Africa needs — one that merges environmental health with economic opportunity (Baldé et al., 2017).

Innovation for Impact

Digital tools can make this vision real. Mobile apps could help consumers locate drop-off points, while blockchain can track e-waste across supply chains to ensure transparency (Kiddee et al., 2013). Better product design — modular and repairable electronics — would also reduce waste before it even begins.

Closing Reflection

Africa’s growing digital economy doesn’t have to come at an environmental cost. With the right policies, partnerships, and people-first approaches, the continent can turn its e-waste challenge into a story of innovation, inclusion, and green growth. The question is no longer whether Africa can manage its e-waste, but rather how soon it can turn waste into wealth for all.

References

• Baldé, C. P., et al. (2017). The Global E-waste Monitor. United Nations University.
• Dwivedy, M., & Mittal, R. K. (2012). An investigation into e-waste flows in India. Journal of Cleaner Production, 37, 229–242.
• Forti, V., et al. (2020). The Global E-waste Monitor 2020. United Nations University, ITU & ISWA.
• Geneva Environment Network (2025). International E-waste Day 2025 https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/events/international-e-waste-day-2025/#scroll-nav__1
• Kiddee, P., Naidu, R., & Wong, M. H. (2013). Electronic waste management approaches: An overview. Waste Management, 33(5), 1237-1250.
• Manomaivibool, P. (2020). Extended producer responsibility in developing countries. Waste Management & Research, 38(3), 223–225.
• Nnorom, I. C., & Osibanjo, O. (2008). Electronic waste (e-waste): Material flows and management practices in Nigeria. Waste Management, 28(8), 1472-1479.
• Oteng-Ababio, M. (2012). E-waste management in Ghana – Issues and practices. Sustainable Development, 20(1), 1–10.
• Schluep, M., et al. (2012). Sustainable e-waste management. StEP Green Paper Series.
• UNDP. (2017). Rwanda Launches First Large-Scale E-Waste Recycling Facility. United Nations Development Programme.

From CDM to PACM: Can Africa Turn Early Movers into Continental Leaders?

Delegates at the UNFCCC COP29 that formally operationalised the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM) under Article 6.4 (Photo: UNFCCC)

At the close of 2025, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) will officially give way to the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM, under Article 6.4). For Africa — a region that hosted hundreds of CDM projects but also faced barriers in attracting climate finance — this transition marks both an opportunity and a test of readiness. How ready is Africa for this transition? What is working now and what is not? What can be done to offset the challenges?

Where Africa Stands Today

The good news is that the transition pathway is clear. The UNFCCC has defined procedures for CDM projects and Programmes of Activities (PoAs) to request migration to PACM before the deadline (UNFCCC, 2023). This gives developers of renewable energy, afforestation and efficiency projects the ability to preserve their investments rather than start from scratch.

At the same time, initiatives like the African Carbon Markets Initiative and support from UNECA, the NDC Partnership and bilateral donors are helping governments strengthen their Designated National Authorities (DNAs), build national registries and train staff. Countries with stronger CDM legacies — South Africa, Kenya, Morocco and a few others — are already piloting Article 6 projects and drafting bilateral agreements (NDC Partnership, 2024).

South Africa: With one of the largest CDM portfolios in Africa, particularly in renewable energy and industrial energy efficiency, South Africa has leveraged this base to prepare for Article 6 transactions. Its Designated National Authority (DNA) has been active in clarifying approval processes, while South Africa has also engaged in bilateral discussions on Article 6 cooperation, particularly with European buyers (World Bank, 2023). Pilot projects in sectors like renewable hydrogen and carbon capture are being structured to test how corresponding adjustments and reporting will work under Paris rules.

Kenya: Known for its geothermal and clean energy projects under the CDM, Kenya is emerging as a regional innovator in carbon markets. The government has enacted legal frameworks that clarify carbon rights and revenue-sharing with local communities (Government of Kenya, 2023). Kenya is also part of international initiatives exploring Article 6 pilots, including discussions with Switzerland, which has been one of the most active Article 6 buyers globally. These pilots are designed not only to secure international demand but also to feed directly into Kenya’s climate strategies.

Morocco: Morocco’s extensive CDM portfolio in wind and solar energy provides a strong foundation for Article 6 activities. The country is actively exploring bilateral agreements with European partners, leveraging its role as a key energy exporter in the region. Morocco’s Ministry of Energy Transition has signaled its intent to align carbon markets with its broader green hydrogen roadmap, which is central to its industrial decarbonization strategy (UNECA, 2024).

Many of these Article 6 pilots are small-scale, early-stage, or focused on readiness (capacity building). Few are yet generating large volumes of carbon credits with clear buyer demand under Article 6.4 or with robust registry/corresponding-adjustment systems. Even with pilots, some countries still lack fully operational rules on how Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) are authorised, how they interact with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), how corresponding adjustments are managed, what legal contracts look like, and how property rights, etc., operate.

In addition, the pilot nature means higher risk, and many investors are cautious until they see stable market participation and clear demand. Transparency around methodologies, accounting, price risks, etc., remains a concern. Similarly, these Article 6 pilots are experimenting with different approaches; convergence on best practices (baseline methods, additionality, leakage, permanence, etc.) is still underway. Furthermore, differences across countries/sectors complicate a standardised rollout.

Nevertheless, these early movers are not just benefiting themselves — they are creating templates for other African countries. By testing registry systems, piloting corresponding adjustments, and negotiating bilateral deals, South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco are ironing out the legal and technical kinks. Their progress could help establish regional standards or even inspire shared registry platforms, reducing costs for less-prepared countries.

What are the ‘Early Wins’?

The existing CDM infrastructure offers a base to build on, reducing transaction costs. The UNFCCC decisions and CDM guidance enable eligible projects to transition rather than restart, preserving investment certainty for many renewables, Afforestation and Reforestation (A/R) and efficiency Programmes of Activities (PoAs). That has already unlocked interest in submitting transition requests.

In addition, targeted donor support is creating “early mover” countries that can demonstrate success. For example, regional reports show active private sector and donor financing for readiness and registry work, enabling an “early mover” cohort of projects to convert quickly.

Also, developers and buyers are showing an appetite for new Article 6 credits, especially where governments signal openness.

These are important confidence signals — they prove the transition is possible, not just theoretical.

The Challenges Ahead

Despite the above optimism, Africa’s readiness is uneven. Many DNAs remain understaffed and underfunded, struggling to develop robust approval systems or connect registries to international platforms (World Bank, 2023). The quality of credits is also under scrutiny: older Carbon Emission Reductions (CERs) face questions about additionality and whether they align with tougher Paris-era integrity standards.

Perhaps the biggest challenge lies in policy clarity. Host countries must decide how transitioned credits interact with their own NDC targets and whether to allow their use internationally. Without this, project owners face uncertainty over market demand and credit pricing.

Finally, technical hurdles persist. Linking registries, applying corresponding adjustments, and ensuring transparent accounting require digital infrastructure that many countries have yet to establish (UNFCCC, 2023).

Looking Forward

Africa’s transition to PACM will likely happen in waves. The first successes will emerge from better-prepared countries and projects. But unless governance systems, financing and technical tools are scaled rapidly, many others risk being left behind.

The pathway is there. The early wins are encouraging. The real question is whether Africa can convert them into a continent-wide success story — one that ensures not just participation, but leadership in the next era of global carbon markets

References

·   UNFCCC (2023). Decisions on the transition of CDM activities to the Article 6.4 mechanism. Available at: https://unfccc.int

·      World Bank (2023). State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2023. Washington, DC: World Bank.

· NDC Partnership (2024). Africa Article 6 Readiness Support Initiatives. Available at: https://ndcpartnership.org

·    Conservation Rising (2025). Kenya and Switzerland Sign Carbon Credit Trade Deal. Available at: https://www.conservation-rising.com/p/kenya-and-switzerland-sign-carbon-credit-trade-deal

·    Hespress (2020). Morocco, Germany Sign Green Hydrogen Cooperation Agreement. Available at: https://en.hespress.com/17129-morocco-germany-sign-green-hydrogen-cooperation-agreement.html

·    Hiba Press (2024). Morocco and Germany Strengthen Climate and Energy Alliance. Available at: https://en.hibapress.com/7703.html

·      Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa (2023). Draft South Africa Article 6 Framework. Pretoria: Government of South Africa. Available at: https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/draftsa_article6_framework.pdf

·      South African Revenue Service (SARS) (2024). Phase Two of the Carbon Tax – Discussion Paper. Available at: https://www.sars.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/Legal/DiscPapers/Legal-LPrep-DP-2024-03-Phase-two-of-the-carbon-tax.pdf

East Africa’s Cities Are Growing Fast — But Are They Growing Fair?

 

                              Houses constructed in a waterlogged area in Kampala city suburbs (Photo: UCSD)

World Habitat Day 2025, observed on October 6, will highlight urban crisis response amid growing challenges such as climate change, conflict, and inequality. Organised by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the global observance will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together policymakers, innovators, and communities to showcase tools and strategies for sustainable urban development.

According to UN-Habitat, this year’s theme emphasises addressing multifaceted crises threatening urban stability and livability, making it a critical platform for organisations aligned with sustainable development goals.

East Africa’s towns and cities are growing rapidly, offering opportunities for economic growth but also exposing residents to deep social, infrastructural, and environmental pressures. The region’s urban future depends on how effectively governments and communities respond to the crises of inadequate housing, overstretched services, climate risk, and inequality. Addressing these challenges requires pragmatic investment, inclusive governance, and drawing lessons from other parts of the Global South.

As we mark World Habitat Day 2025, in East Africa, we need to ponder over some key questions: How do we make these cities and other urban settings livable and stable for all? Does East Africa focus too much on infrastructure at the expense of little on equity? To what extent are the East African Community Partner States really prepared to integrate the voices of women, youth, and informal workers in urban planning?

Upgrading the informal city

A significant proportion of East Africa’s urban residents live in informal settlements, which often lack secure tenure, sanitation, drainage, and basic services. These conditions perpetuate poverty and expose households to floods, disease outbreaks, and eviction risks (UN-Habitat, 2020).

Incremental upgrading—through provision of secure land rights, small-scale infrastructure, and community-led planning—improves safety, opportunity, and stability. Successful projects across African cities highlight that involving local women’s groups, youth, and informal worker associations ensures that interventions respond to diverse lived realities (World Bank, 2022). For example, addressing youth unemployment in the growing cities and urban areas across East Africa is a major challenge calling for long-term supportive policies and plans.

Climate risk as a planning priority

East Africa is already experiencing climate extremes. Recent floods in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania showed how unplanned expansion and weak drainage intensify disaster impacts (Relief Web, 2024).

Building resilience requires investment in green-blue infrastructure—wetlands restoration, retention basins, and permeable pavements—combined with enforcing land-use policies that protect the remaining wetlands, natural waterways and the urban greenery. Intersectional adaptation must account for the fact that women, children, and low-income groups often live in flood-prone areas and are disproportionately affected by displacement and loss of livelihoods (UN Women, 2021).

Health, heat and flood resilience

Rising temperatures, though unusual, are a flaring new phenomenon that threatens public health, particularly for vulnerable groups such as outdoor workers, the elderly, the sick and children. Ahmedabad, India’s Heat Action Plan—introducing early warning systems, public cooling centres, and targeted outreach to at-risk groups—demonstrates the life-saving potential of low-cost preventive approaches (Knowlton et al., 2014). In East Africa, similar measures should integrate gender-sensitive communication and ensure accessibility for the vulnerable, people with disabilities, and children who are often overlooked in emergency planning.

In the same way, the effects of extreme precipitation, rising water levels causing displacements, floods, and tropical storms on vulnerable communities across East African cities need action. These could be mitigated by scaling up locally-led, cost-effective mitigation measures that strengthen nature-based capacities.

Mobility, inclusion, and public space

Social exclusion and unequal access to services often fuel instability. Medellín, Colombia, pioneered “social urbanism,” using cable cars, integrated bus systems, libraries, and parks in marginalised neighbourhoods to reduce violence and improve cohesion (Brand & Dávila, 2011).

For East Africa, inclusive mobility must go beyond transport to consider safety for women and girls who have to walk long distances in search of (affordable) water from dawn to dusk, affordability for low-income groups, and universal design for people with disabilities. Investments in public space and mobility that reflect these needs not only enhance equity but also strengthen urban stability.

Finance and governance

Strong governance and stable finance underpin all resilience strategies. Municipalities in East Africa often lack predictable revenue streams and the capacity to plan at scale. Strengthening local taxation, improving intergovernmental transfers, and accessing climate finance are critical (World Bank, 2022). Intersectional approaches also demand participatory governance, where marginalised voices are actively included in decision-making to avoid perpetuating inequality.

Adapting lessons from the Global South

The experiences of Medellín in Colombia and Ahmedabad in India highlight that inclusion, preparedness, and visible improvements are central to resilience. However, these models cannot be copied wholesale; they must be adapted to East Africa’s diverse cultural, political, and resource contexts. By combining slum upgrading, climate resilience, public health preparedness, and inclusive infrastructure—underpinned by intersectional governance—East Africa can transform the risks of rapid urbanisation into opportunities for building stable, livable cities.

References

• Brand, P., & Dávila, J. (2011). Mobility innovation at the urban margins: Medellín’s Metrocables. City, 15(6), 647–661.
• Knowlton, K., Kulkarni, S. P., Azhar, G. S., et al. (2014). Development and implementation of South Asia’s first Heat-Health Action Plan in Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 11(4), 3473–3492.
• ReliefWeb. (2024). East Africa floods situation report. Retrieved from https://reliefweb.int/
• UN-Habitat. (2020). World Cities Report 2020: The Value of Sustainable Urbanisation. Nairobi: UN-Habitat.
• UN Habitat (2025). World Habitat Day 2025: https://urbanoctober.unhabitat.org/world-habitat-day-2025
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Tackling Obesity in Africa Through Sustainable Food Systems and Consumption Practices

 

Source: agsinger.com

Obesity is a severe form of overweight and leads to a higher risk of developing insulin resistance and high blood pressure, as well as life-threatening diseases later in life, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

It is emerging as a pressing public health challenge across Africa. Traditionally associated with high-income countries, obesity is now rising in African nations due to rapid urbanisation, dietary transitions, and sedentary lifestyles (Popkin et al., 2020).

The World Health Organisation (WHO, 2023) estimates that over 18 million African adults are obese, with prevalence expected to increase as processed and energy-dense foods dominate diets. Addressing this challenge requires a systemic shift towards sustainable food systems and healthier consumption practices that can simultaneously improve nutrition, safeguard the environment, and promote long-term resilience.

Furthermore, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released a Global Report titled: The 2025 Child Nutrition Report – ‘Feeding Profit: How food environments are failing children’, which reveals how unhealthy food environments are contributing to the worldwide surge in overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. 

The Report warns that as countries like Uganda and others in Africa transition to middle-income status, ultra-processed foods and beverages become more widely available and more affordable, increasing the prevalence of overweight among children across all household income levels.

What can be done to offset this danger? To what extent can sustainable food systems be part of the solution?

Sustainable Food Systems for Healthier Diets

Sustainable food systems provide safe, nutritious food while preserving the environment, supporting livelihoods, and promoting equity (FAO, 2018). For Africa, strengthening such systems is key to reversing obesity trends. One approach is boosting local production and consumption of traditional nutrient-rich crops such as millet, sorghum, beans, and leafy vegetables. 

These foods are less processed, have lower carbon footprints, and contribute to dietary diversity (Hawkes et al., 2020). Initiatives in Ethiopia and Nigeria promoting indigenous grains have been linked to healthier dietary choices and lower reliance on imported ultra-processed foods (Akinola et al., 2021).

Boosting Traditional Crops through Schools

Schools are powerful platforms for promoting sustainable diets and preventing obesity. Integrating traditional crops into school feeding programmes creates demand for local agriculture while shaping healthier eating habits in children.

The Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSF) promoted by the World Food Programme (WFP) in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya sources local grains, legumes, and vegetables for school meals (WFP, 2020). This improves child nutrition while providing smallholder farmers with predictable markets. In Ghana, linking school meals to yam, cowpea, and millet production has enhanced both student nutrition outcomes and farmer incomes (Aurino et al., 2019).

School gardens and nutrition education further reinforce healthy habits. In Uganda, the “School Garden Initiative” teach children to grow amaranth and cowpeas, linking classroom learning with practical skills (FAO, 2021). Targeting schools also prevents early exposure to sugary drinks and energy-dense snacks, which are strong predictors of overweight later in life (Popkin et al., 2020). Embedding agriculture, education, and health objectives into school feeding policies ensures that boosting traditional food consumption becomes part of a sustainable, multi-sectoral strategy.

South Africa: A Case Study

South Africa faces one of the highest obesity rates in Africa, with nearly 40% of adult women classified as obese (WHO, 2023). The government introduced a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in 2018, resulting in reduced purchases of sugary drinks and lower calorie intake, particularly among lower-income households (Stacey et al., 2022). Complementing this, South Africa’s “Food-Based Dietary Guidelines” encourage culturally relevant, healthier diets emphasising fruits, vegetables, and legumes (Vorster et al., 2013). Together, these interventions illustrate how fiscal policies and education can promote sustainable consumption.

Comparative Lessons from Latin America

Latin America provides additional lessons for Africa. Mexico’s 2014 SSB tax led to sustained reductions in sugary drink purchases, especially among low-income households (Colchero et al., 2017). Beyond taxation, Mexico and Chile implemented front-of-package warning labels to guide consumer choices and restrict misleading marketing to children (Taillie et al., 2020). These measures demonstrate that combining fiscal and regulatory policies can amplify the impact of programs promoting traditional, nutritious foods.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite these opportunities, challenges remain. Poverty and food insecurity lead many Africans to prioritise affordability over nutrition (Popkin et al., 2020). Weak regulatory frameworks and limited enforcement capacity hinder efforts to control aggressive marketing by multinational food corporations. Cultural perceptions linking overweight with prosperity also complicate behavioural change (Steyn & Temple, 2022). Nonetheless, integrating obesity prevention into broader development strategies—including local agriculture, school feeding, and fiscal measures—offers promising pathways for sustainable impact.

Recommendations for Africa

Integrate Indigenous Crops into School Feeding Programmes

• Prioritise nutrient-rich local foods in school meals and support smallholder farmers through procurement contracts.
• Include school gardens and nutrition education to reinforce lifelong healthy habits.

Implement Fiscal and Regulatory Measures

• Expand SSB taxes and introduce warning labels on ultra-processed foods.
• Restrict marketing of unhealthy foods to children and adolescents.

Promote Urban and Rural Food Environments that Support Healthy Diets

• Invest in urban agriculture and local markets to improve access to traditional foods.
• Regulate the density of fast food establishments around schools and workplaces.

Strengthen Cross-Sectoral Policy Coordination

• Integrate agriculture, health, and education policies to address obesity, malnutrition, and sustainability simultaneously.
• Encourage public-private partnerships for food innovation and the distribution of nutrient-rich local foods.
• Monitor and evaluate interventions to inform iterative policy improvements.

Conclusion

Africa’s rising obesity challenge reflects unsustainable food systems and consumption patterns. By promoting indigenous crops through school feeding, regulating urban food environments, incentivising healthier choices, and reshaping consumer demand, African countries can build sustainable, health-promoting food systems. 

South Africa’s SSB tax demonstrates the effectiveness of fiscal measures, while lessons from Latin America highlight the added value of labelling and marketing regulations. Implementing these strategies collectively positions Africa to reduce obesity, enhance nutrition, and foster sustainable development.

References

• Akinola, R., Pereira, L., Mabhaudhi, T., de Bruin, F., & Rusch, L. (2021). A review of indigenous food crops in Africa and the implications for sustainable food systems. Sustainability, 13(2), 1–19.
• Aurino, E., Tranchant, J. P., Sekou Diallo, A., & Gelli, A. (2019). School feeding or general food distribution? Quasi-experimental evidence on the educational impacts of emergency food assistance during conflict in Mali. Journal of Development Studies, 55(1), 7–28.
• Colchero, M. A., Rivera-Dommarco, J., Popkin, B. M., & Ng, S. W. (2017). In Mexico, evidence of sustained consumer response two years after implementing a sugar-sweetened beverage tax. Health Affairs, 36(3), 564–571.
• FAO. (2018). Sustainable food systems: Concept and framework. Food and Agriculture Organization.
• FAO. (2021). School gardens for education and health. Food and Agriculture Organization.
• Hawkes, C., Ruel, M. T., Salm, L., Sinclair, B., & Branca, F. (2020). Double-duty actions: Seizing programme and policy opportunities to address malnutrition in all its forms. Lancet, 395(10218), 142–155.
• Popkin, B. M., Corvalan, C., & Grummer-Strawn, L. M. (2020). Dynamics of the double burden of malnutrition and the changing nutrition reality. Lancet, 395(10217), 65–74.
• Stacey, N., et al. (2022). Changes in beverage purchases following the implementation of a sugar-based tax in South Africa. Health Economics, 31(3), 475–491.
• Steyn, N. P., & Temple, N. J. (2022). Evidence to support a food-based dietary guideline on sugar consumption in Africa. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 35(2), 56–62.
• Taillie, L. S., et al. (2020). An evaluation of Chile’s law of food labelling and advertising on sugar-sweetened beverage purchases from 2015 to 2017. PLOS Medicine, 17(2), e1003015.
• United Nations Children’s Fund (2025), Feeding Profit. How food environments are failing children. Child Nutrition Report 2025, Report Brief, UNICEF, New York, September 2025 https://www.unicef.org/reports/feeding-profit
• Vorster, H. H., et al. (2013). The development of South African food-based dietary guidelines for adults. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 26(3), S5–S12.
• WFP. (2020). State of school feeding worldwide 2020. World Food Programme.
• WHO. (2023). Obesity and overweight – Africa region. World Health Organisation.