Volume 25 | April 2022
April 2022 Newsletter
The Water-Energy-Food in Africa Initiative is excited to share with you updates on the current news and events, ways to get involved, and upcoming items to be on the lookout for.
Member Registration and Collaborative Platform

If you have not yet done so, we highly encourage interested participants to join the WEF Nexus in Africa Initiative as a member of our website and the Collaborative Platform.
Featured News
Africa faces both major challenges and huge opportunities as it transitions to clean energy

Africa has huge potential to play a leading role as the world’s energy systems transition to a net zero future. The continent's geographic diversity holds huge potential for solar and wind power, and its soils are home to many of the minerals and rare earths needed for clean energy technologies. The clean energy transitions are an opportunity for African countries to leave traditional fuels and infrastructures and go towards sustainable energy systems, but they will need the support of international community to address existing barriers to clean energy investment and to promote capital deployment across the continent.

West Africa faces its worst food crisis in ten years, with over 27 million people already suffering from hunger

Almost 38.3 million people will be in food and nutrition crisis in West Africa by this June, setting up a new historic level, unless urgent action is taken. The cereal production in 2021 in the Sahel has declined by 12% and 7%, compared respectively to the 2020 season and the five-year average. Several other countries: Burkina Faso and Togo has imported at least 30% of their wheat from Russia, while Senegal, Liberia, Benin, and Mauritania has imported more than 50% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine. In addition, the price of several other food products has increased over the past five years in West Africa; Maize (+30%), Millet (+26%), Sorghum (+24%), Rica (+18%).

Lessons from the Cape Town water crisis and the need for a renewed technical agenda

The Day Zero crisis in Cape Town provided several useful lessons and revealed the need for a water system rooted in principles of resilience and a renewed technical approach to water management aimed at equity, sustainability, and water sensitivity. Several areas for strengthening water resilience in future were explored which included the importance of data, drawing on expertise and prioritizing communication, the importance of taking a systems approach such as nature of water supply, and the financing of water. Some suggestions on specific adaptive capacity that could be developed related to building a water sensitive city vision and integrating climate change scenarios in water planning were also provided.

Featured Events
Scaling Up Water Energy Food (WEF) Nexus Solutions- What is FAO Doing about it?

The "Scaling Up WEF Nexus Solutions- What is FAO Doing about it?" is the 5th session of the 2nd round of webinar on Water- Energy- Food Nexus, scheduled for 19 April 2022. This session will (a) present and discuss some of FAO's tools and work regarding the implementation of the WEF Nexus approach; and (b) feature some major challenges and opportunities to scale up the WEF Nexus. Registration is required

Call for Application: Water Energy Food (WEF) Nexus Masterclass and Winter School for South Africa

The call for application for WEF Nexus Masterclass and Winter School is now open. The WEF Nexus Master Class is happening online from 13-15 June 2022 and WEF Nexus Winter School is happening in person at the University of Pretoria, South Africa from 8-12 August 2022. These programs are capacity building initiatives to support early career, postgraduate students, managers, and practitioners in understanding nexus thinking, particularly the WEF Nexus. The deadline for application is 30 April 2022.

Call for Papers: International Workshop on “The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus: Implementation and Examples of Applications”

The International workshop organized by International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) working group on WEF Nexus announces call for papers focused on theme “The Water-Energy-Food-Nexus: Implementation and Examples of Applications”. This workshop will be held in Adelaide, Australia from 3-10 October 2022. The workshop aims to bring together experts from all over the world to share information, experience, and views on how to implement the water-energy-food nexus in agriculture. Last date to submit abstract is 30 May 2022.

Joint Summer School on Modelling Tools for Sustainable Development 2022

The Joint Summer School on Modelling Tools for Sustainable Development 2022, hosted by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) will be held virtual from 30 May to 16 June. This summer school aims to provide an opportunity to get free training, access to discussion forums, and coaching skills in models and tools for all your energy planning needs.

Featured Publication
The Water–energy–food Security Nexus: Challenges and Opportunities for Food Security in South Africa

This study examines the level of interconnectedness between water, energy, and food production cycles in South Africa. In addition, the paper explains how energy and water costs influence food prices in the country and affect the country's level of food security. The paper highlights the need of integrative thinking to achieve sustainable solutions to food security.

Jobs and Internship Opportunities
Vacancy // Regional Energy Specialist for the Arab States/Middle East and North Africa – IPSA 11 – Office-based

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Regional Hub in Amman, Jordan is looking for Regional Energy Specialist to work in collaboration with the Energy team and the Director of the Sustainable Energy Hub. The Regional Energy Specialist will report to, and be directly supervised by, the Regional Team Lead (primary director) and will functionally report to the Director of the Sustainable Energy Hub (secondary supervisor). Application closes on 26 April 2022.

Vacancy // Head of Credit at the Star sight Premier Energy Services (SPES), Nairobi, Kenya

The Star sight Premier Energy Services (SPES) based in Nairobi, Kenya is looking for an experienced Head of Credit to work in areas of credit risk management including credit evaluation and monitoring, portfolio analysis, adherence to credit underwriting standards and processes, and recommending changes to policy and procedures whenever required. The role also envisages managing relationships with prospective and existing clients and networking with other counterparties in the local financial ecosystem that will help in onboarding appropriate credit
opportunities to ensure a healthy asset book.

Vacancy // Admin Graduate Food Safety at Cape Town, South Africa
– Internship Program

The Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) is seeking interns for its food safety and technical services unit in its head office- Cape Town, South Africa. The successful candidate will support the unit in multiple tasks; (a) to ensure accuracy in Admin tasks, (b) to assist with food safety audits, (c) to supervise assist direct reports, and (d) to ensure organizational compliance and client satisfaction. Application closes on 18 April 2022.

For more job, internships, or partnership opportunities visit the
General Notice

Please send relevant news, events, or activities to Michael Jacobson to be published to site or featured in newsletter.
Featured Opportunities
Deadline Extended-Call:
Construction of three wetlands to treat the water coming out from Al-Salt Wastewater Treatment Plant and three solar systems to provide energy for the irrigation pumping systems in three farms

Global Water Partnership Mediterranean (GWP-Med) is conducting an open call for offers for the Construction of three wetlands (tertiary treatment) to treat the water coming out from Al-Salt Wastewater Treatment Plant and three solar systems to provide energy for the irrigation pumping systems in three farms, in the framework of the Project: MENA Water Matchmaker 2 Project.

Deadline for Submission of Offers
is extended till 20 April, 17:00h CET.