BAOBAB
A curated summary of news and perspectives on fulfilling Africa's vibrant potential©
Hello, and a warm welcome to the first edition of Baobab, a bulletin for those seeking inspiring, insightful and instructive news and views on sustainable development in Africa.
After retiring from an international development agency, I retained my interest in Africa in the ways in which its peoples are bettering their lives and managing their natural resources.
With Baobab, my aim is to contribute to the sharing of knowledge and interesting information on issues affecting local people as they seek to sustainably manage and conserve
the continent’s forests, savannahs, wildlife and other natural resources in a manner that maintains their cultural heritage and improves their livelihood.
The world faces an uncertain future redefined by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as many chronic problems associated with poverty, hunger, climate change, biodiversity loss and other diseases and illnesses. In these very unsettling times, I hope Baobab will be a small beacon of light and a useful aid to your reading.
Patricia
News
New report finds that Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, in top ten for forest loss
The latest Global Forest Review, a “living” online report, shows that the Democratic Republic of the Congo lost 4.8 million hectares of humid tropical primary forests between 2002 and 2019, putting it in third place for most forest loss in that period after Brazil and Indonesia; Madagascar is ranked tenth, losing 800,000 ha. The Global Forest Review, a product of the World Resources Institute, draws primarily on global-scale geospatial data derived from the analysis of satellite imagery. African countries might gain significant benefits from building capacity and expertise in these technologies, particularly in the sustainable management of their forest resources and their interactions with other sectors.
Read more Global Forest Review World Resources Institute
News
A business model ripe for replication?
As expectations rise about the huge opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, does a private-public scheme engaging tens of thousands of smallholder farms in forestry and sustainable land-use offer a model that other sectors, entrepreneurs and communities can replicate? Partnerships for Forests pledges to support the reforestation of degraded lands for sustainable forest use, with local communities an integral part of the partnership. For Komaza in Kenya, the aim is to unlock the potential of small-scale farmers in the wood-supply chain through commercially viable and sustainable practices on their lands. As Africa’s need for wood increases, particularly to meet soaring demand for house construction, there is huge scope for entrepreneurial ventures that focus on sustainable wood supplies.
Read more: Partnerships for Forests – Komaza
Integrating conservation and agriculture is essential for biodiversity and farmers in Africa
Farms that share landscapes with wild nature, such as remnant forests and trees, benefit from the ecosystem services provided. In Africa, argue Gassner et al in The Conversation, the best way to protect the continent’s biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods is to integrate conservation measures on working lands by combining diverse crops and animals and managing wildlife sustainably. Thus, say the authors, Africa’s dominant model of wildlife conservation – strictly protected areas – should be complemented by more shared use of farming landscapes by humans and wildlife.
Read more: The Conversation
Declaration
B A O B A B comes to you free of charge as I compile it in a voluntary capacity. I have no affiliation with any source of finance or political party. Nor does the inclusion of any externally sourced information in the bulletin imply that I endorse its contents. It is up to you readers to arrive at your own interpretation of the published material.
Acknowledgements
I extend my sincere thanks in particular to Mafa Chipeta and Alastair Sarre, as well as to my family and friends, for their encouragement, advice, feedback and support. I also thank Alex Juma for his great work in creating the homepage of Baobab edition one.
Patricia Tendi
baobabdawn@gmail.com
Photo credits and copyright
by Tom Waddington
Disclaimer
Information contained in Baobab has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither Baobab nor its contributing authors guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein and neither Baobab nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or claims for damages, including exemplary damages, arising out of use, inability to use, or with regard to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information contained in Baobab. The copyright and all intellectual property rights of material (including but not limited to text, video, graphical images), trademarks and logos are the property of the publisher or Baobab as indicated.