1. 🚁 Heli view: Why COP28 is a decisive moment for Africa

Earlier this year, the continent proposed itself as a valuable partner in global climate action.

• It presented its own green agenda during the Africa Climate Summit in September. 

• The African Union made the case for linking climate action and prosperity in Africa.

• Heads of state committed themselves to “climate-positive growth”.

The bargain: In turn, African governments asked richer nations to invest in climate solutions on the continent.

• They offered commercial transactions that benefit everyone, including nature.

• Forget victimhood and past disagreements, leaders declared, embracing a “new narrative”. 

• They described climate action as a "multi-billion-dollar" investment opportunity on the continent.

At stake: This new agenda, the first of its kind, was designed specifically with COP in mind, given it’s growing size and influence.

Crunch time: The shape of Africa’s future could now hang on the outcome of COP. Climate solutions being proposed by Africa might: 

• Create prosperity via the green economy

• And uplift millions of lives via climate jobs

• Or they might not

Listen carefully: COP28 will give us a first glimpse of whether non-African nations are willing to engage and make the continent the climate partner it wants to be.

• Will the West accept the need to link climate action and prosperity in Africa?

• Will other developing nations endorse the idea of “climate-positive growth”?

Lots to offer: Africa is in a strong negotiating position as it does not come empty handed.

• The continent has lots of renewable energy potential.

• It can offer unparalleled carbon sinks to offset industrial emissions.

• And battery-makers the world over need its mineral resources. 

Check the details: Over the next two weeks at COP, we’ll look for exactly who supports which parts of Africa’s agenda.

The roadmap: African needs and asks are formally codified in the Nairobi Declaration signed by members of the African Union. 

• The declaration will guide actions by African governments at COP. 

• The details are laid out in our bingo card. Do print it out and track progress. 

Reality check: Not everything will be possible. The declaration calls for an increase in Africa’s renewables capacity from 56 GW in 2022 to at least 300 GW by 2030.

• A recent study identifies weak and inadequate grid infrastructure as a critical barrier to scaling renewables. 

Homework done: Nonetheless, Africa is likely to score some wins. On the agenda are:

• A $100 billion climate finance pledge

• A loss and damage fund

• Progress on ending fossil fuel dominance

• Operationalising carbon markets globally

In sum: COP matters to Africa – however, Africa also matters to COP. 

• A sustainable world economy is not possible without the fastest-growing continent.

2. Will batteries remain the stepchild of Africa’s green economy?

A cynic might say that power storage is the great green hope of Africa – and always will be.

The hope: Storing electricity for use at the right moment could be a game-changer. Ubiquitous battery banks could fix perpetual problems on the continent:

• Batteries can smooth out low, varying and failing electricity generation. 

• They also compensate for a lack of grid connections in remote areas.

• And unlike hydro storage, batteries offer electricity in a readily usable state.