The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) recently concluded a two-day training program designed to strengthen project implementation capabilities in Madagascar. This initiative, held on June 11th and 12th, 2024, brought together Malagasy government officials overseeing AfDB-funded projects, including project managers, administrative and finance officers, and representatives from the Bank’s Public Debt Directorate. Co-organized by the AfDB’s Madagascar Country Office and Disbursements Department, the workshop focused on equipping participants with a thorough understanding of the Bank’s disbursement rules and procedures. This knowledge will be instrumental in optimizing expenditure performance and ensuring the successful execution of AfDB-backed projects in Madagascar. Abdoulaye Kane, head of the Disbursements Department in the Bank’s Financial Control team, stated, “The aim of the workshop, which was to build the capacity of the management units responsible for projects funded by the Bank Group, was achieved. Understanding the procedures will improve the quality of the documentation sent to the Bank.” He added that the improved documentation quality will enable faster processing and enhance Madagascar’s capacity to absorb funding from the Bank Group. Mandimbisoa Heriniaina, an accountant responsible for reviewing project disbursement requests in the Bank Group’s Public Debt Directorate, lauded the training approach and clarity of the answers provided….
The Pemba City Council (CMCP) in Mozambique and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a landmark agreement yesterday to enhance the city’s waste management capabilities. This collaborative effort, valued at approximately 63 million meticais (roughly $1 million USD), will focus on acquiring essential solid waste collection equipment for Pemba’s downtown area. The official signing ceremony, held at the Pemba Hotel Express on June 26th, 2024, was attended by prominent figures including UNDP representative Samuel Akera. Pemba Mayor Satar Abdulgani expressed his gratitude to UNDP and other UN agencies like OIM, UN-HABITAT, OCHA, and PMA for their continued support of local development initiatives. He emphasized the importance of this partnership, which stemmed from extensive discussions aligning with the Pemba City Council’s current priorities. “We, the Pemba City Council, receive with gratitude this gesture of partnership and would like to invite all other United Nations agencies and civil society organizations to follow this example,” he stated highlighting the Council’s commitment to the efficient and sustainable use of the acquired equipment, aiming to extend your useful life.” The ceremony also provided an opportunity for the Pemba Municipality to showcase its ongoing efforts in areas like waste management, road maintenance, licensing regulations, and…
Terraformation, a forest restoration company, has partnered with Grosvenor, a UK property business, to sell the first carbon credits from its Seed to Carbon Forest Accelerator program. The project, known as Regenerative Development of Anlo Wetlands (ReDAW), will restore 1,536 hectares of mangroves in Ghana’s Keta Lagoon. Funded by Grosvenor, the project is expected to sequester over 1 million tonnes of CO2 by 2064, with an initial credit sale generating 15,000 tonnes at an average price of nearly $50 per tonne. Payments are structured to support the first two years of forest restoration. Beyond carbon capture, ReDAW will deliver significant benefits for local communities. The project will create full-time jobs, with over half filled by women, and train 350 people in planting and caring for the mangroves. Additionally, the project will promote regenerative aquaculture, agriculture, and beekeeping, leading to increased food security and environmental resilience. Joella Korczak, Chief Programme Officer, ReDAW, said: “The land in this area is prone to floods in the wet seasons and extended drought periods in the dry season. Restoring mangrove forests offers flood resilience through natural water management. The improved ecological function and enhanced fisheries resulting from more mangroves contribute to increased food production, ensuring…
In a collaborative effort to celebrate Earth Day and champion environmental stewardship, Project Management Institute (PMI), a leading authority on project management, and Evertreen, the online tree planting platform, have joined forces for a groundbreaking initiative. This significant environmental project will see the planting of 28,500 trees in Kenya. This initiative not only marks the anniversaries of 57 PMI chapters worldwide, but also embodies a powerful commitment to sustainable practices by both organizations. The selection of Kenya for this project was strategic. Facing the challenges of deforestation and climate change, the area has a critical need for ecological restoration. The tree planting initiative aims to achieve a multitude of positive outcomes: By working together, Evertreen and PMI are demonstrating the immense potential of collaborative action, leveraging technology and community to drive impactful environmental change. Evertreen brings its innovative technology to the table, enabling individuals and companies to plant trees remotely while tracking their growth via satellite imagery. PMI, with its extensive network of project professionals around the world, utilizes its global reach and resources to amplify the project’s impact. “We are thrilled to work with PMI, an organization that exemplifies leadership and commitment in their field, on this transformative project,”…
GivePower, a renowned non-profit tackling global water and electricity access issues, has inaugurated two new solar-powered water systems in Kenya. This initiative marks their eighth collaboration with ServiceNow, a leading digital workflow company. The first system, located in Migadini, Mombasa County, was funded by ServiceNow. This project represents GivePower’s fourth Solar Water Farm in Mombasa County, complementing their four existing electrification projects in the region. The second system, situated in Makindu, was also donated by ServiceNow, with additional support from Silfab Solar who provided the solar panels. These additions bring the total number of GivePower Solar Water Farms in Kenya to 12, collectively providing clean, safe drinking water to nearly 1 million Kenyans daily. The launch ceremony, graced by the presence of His Excellency Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, and Ms. Emily Achieng Okelo, CECM of Mombasa County, highlighted the significance of this project. Ms. Achieng Okelo emphasized the importance of the Solar Water Farm: “This Solar Water Farm represents a monumental step forward in our efforts to ensure sustainable and clean water access for our residents. It embodies our commitment to leveraging renewable energy solutions to enhance water security and resilience against climate…
A two-week capacity building programme focused on project and risk management in public works has begun for Tanzanian officials at the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) in Mussoorie. The programme, running from May 6th to 17th 2024, is being delivered by the NCGG in partnership with India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). 39 participants from Tanzania’s public sector are attending, representing various organisations including the National Roads Agency, Ministry of Energy, and the Tanzania Railway Corporation. The NCGG, an Indian government agency, aims to share best practices and knowledge in governance. This programme will provide insights into how India plans and executes public works projects, while also fostering closer ties between the two nations. Officials will gain expertise in areas like project selection, risk management, and public-private partnerships. The programme also includes visits to key infrastructure projects in India, such as dams, highways, and the Delhi Metro. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Shri V. Srinivas, Director General of the NCGG, highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange. He emphasised the role of technology in improving governance and public service delivery. Mr. George Nsavike Ndatta, Head of the Tanzanian delegation, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and believes the programme…
Organisations in the Midde East and North Africa (Mena) are anticipating a shift to hybrid project management approach to accelerate outcomes for project delivery, according to a flagship annual report by Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s leading authority for project professionals. Around 77% of organisations surveyed in Mena are expecting an increase in the flexible and adaptive hybrid management practices over the next 5 years, it revealed. The findings suggest that organisations should focus on empowering flexibility that optimizes team collaboration, innovation, agility and efficiency to gain and maintain competitive advantage. And they can do so without worrying about negative impacts on project performance. For many teams, that is a fit-for-purpose, hybrid management approach – one that blends both agile and predictive tools and methods. Organizations need to create an environment of continuous learning and support that makes this possible, it stated. Around 72% organisations in Mena currently use the linear-run or traditional project management methodologies, stated PMI in its 15th annual Pulse of the Profession report, which details key findings of its annual survey of project professionals and project leaders around the world, The annual report also shed light on another critical aspect fundamental to organisations’ ways of…
