By Witness Radio team.

Tomorrow, September 11, 2025, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and smallholder farmers from within and outside the East African (EA) region will meet to critically review, discuss, and provide recommendations on the draft East African Community Seed and Plant Varieties Bill, 2025.

Gazetted in February by the East African Community Gazette, the Bill’s objective is to provide for the coordination of evaluation, release, and registration of plant varieties among Partner States; to provide for standard processes for seed certification and the protection of plant varieties within the Community; and to provide for related matters.

The preliminary findings from farmers and CSOs on the Bill reveal that if passed in the current form, it poses a significant risk to farmers’ rights, seed sovereignty, and the rich agro-biodiversity of the region. This biodiversity, comprising a diverse array of crops and plant species, forms the foundation of food security and climate resilience in the area. The Bill could potentially lead to a loss of these diverse plant varieties, threatening the region’s food security and agricultural sustainability.

They further state that the Bill, in its current form, blatantly violates Article 6(d) of the EAC Treaty, which promotes the principles of social justice, equal opportunities, and the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights. This violation demands immediate Action, highlighting the injustice at hand.

In the webinar slated for tomorrow, the theme ‘What’s at Stake for Smallholder Farmers?’ It will be of utmost importance, emphasizing the significance of your participation. The participants will further discuss the more profound implications of the Bill and point out alternative routes for broader engagement on the Bill, suggesting safeguards for smallholder farmers and fortifying resilient food systems.

The webinar will be broadcast live on Witness Radio from 3 to 5 p.m. EAT. For more information on how to follow the discussion, visit our website at www.witnessradio.org and press the ‘Listen Live’ button on the right-hand side of the website, or go to your Play Store and download the Witness Radio app.

By Witness Radio team.

Young people are harnessing the power of digital tools to advocate for global land restoration. This use of technology, along with grassroots organizing and innovation, is seen as a key strategy in overcoming the climate and land crises. This was a significant takeaway from the first session of the Land and Youth Digital Conference, which is taking place virtually from September 9 to 11, 2025. The Land Portal organizes it in collaboration with its partners, including Witness Radio and youth groups.

Broadcasting live on Witness Radio, the first session—titled “Restoring Our Lands by Youth-Led Solutions “was organized by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and explored how youth are being integrated into land restoration initiatives, from smallholder farmers at the grassroots to decision-making spaces at international negotiations.

The GEF, according to its website, comprises several multilateral funds that work together to address the planet’s most pressing challenges in an integrated manner. Its financing helps developing countries address complex challenges and work towards meeting international environmental goals.

Urxe Urtegae, the Youth and Partnerships Analyst at the GEF, opened the session by stressing the importance of youth in shaping the future of sustainable land management.

“In Africa, where most of the population is under 35, young people are not just stakeholders—they are central actors,” she noted, adding that “We must integrate their visions, challenges, and ideas into our projects and governance models.”

She emphasized how the GEF works with young people through gender policies, fellowship opportunities, stakeholder mapping, and helping young negotiators gain access to international decision-making platforms, such as the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

According to Ulrich Apel, a senior Environment Specialist at the GEF, with $5.3 billion committed for its current funding cycle (2022–2026), almost 20 million hectares of land have been restored, and 75 million hectares have been placed under sustainable land management.

“GEF’s mandate is to protect the global environment. But we work so that local communities and young people benefit directly, linking grassroots action to global goals.” He added.

Innovation on the Ground: MyFarmTrees

Chris Kettle, Principal Scientist at the Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT, presented a case study that included the introduction of MyFarmTrees, one of the innovations involving youths.

Here, blockchain technology is utilized by the IUCN-implemented digital platform, which is supported by the GEF, to track and validate smallholder-led restoration efforts. Also, farmers can access new markets for their planting material, receive direct incentive payments through mobile wallets like M-Pesa, and demonstrate the genetic diversity and quality of their native tree seedlings.

“Digital tools offer extraordinary opportunities to link smallholder farmers to global climate and biodiversity goals. They have been used to document tree farms and have enabled farmers to receive digital payments that improve resilience against flooding linked to climate change.” Kettle emphasized.

Despite these advancements, issues like limited access to resources, underrepresentation in governing bodies, and insecure land tenure still affect young people. They, however, did point out that youth-led projects can significantly speed up climate resilience and land restoration with the correct backing.

The Land and Youth Digital Conference runs through September 11, convening youth leaders from indigenous communities, rural areas, land practitioners, and climate activists. Insights from the sessions are expected to contribute to global policy discussions, including at the upcoming COP30 climate negotiations.

Charl-Thom Bayer, the Land Portal Foundation’s Acting Team Leader, opened the conference by cautioning that the youth of today are inheriting “a fractured world driven by inequality and a failing response to the climate crisis.” He denounced the ongoing exclusion of young people from decision-making, noting that those in positions of authority today are shaping the future while often disregarding the opinions of the younger generation.

“We cannot continue to ignore the youth or marginalize their voices in the global land debate,” he said. “This is not about handing young people a seat at the table—it is about building a new table, where power is shared, where all voices matter, and where decisions are made with a generational perspective, not just the next election cycle.”

Thom underlined the importance of knowledge as a public good, describing access to land data and information as “an enabling right” that fuels accountability, storytelling, and movement-building. He positioned the conference as a catalyst for amplifying youth narratives and ensuring their presence at global platforms such as COP30.

By Witness Radio team.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; African financial institutions have signed a landmark Cooperation Framework to transform Africa’s renewable energy, resources, and industries into a climate-smart growth engine through operationalization of the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII) during the Second African Climate Summit (ACS2) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This significant step towards sustainable development and climate resilience underscores the gravity of the decision and its potential to shape Africa’s future.

The AGII, built on the Nairobi Declaration and COP28, will accelerate renewable-powered industries, expand regional value chains, and establish Africa as a global hub for sustainable trade, anchored in millions of new jobs and climate-smart industries.

The $100 billion deal, backed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Afrexim Bank, Africa50, AFC, leading commercial banks, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, is a testament to African leadership in shaping the global energy transition. This framework, which prioritizes mobilising African capital first, de-risking projects, and aligning policies to attract international investment, is a source of pride and inspiration for the continent.

President William Ruto of Kenya, and a key architect in the initiative, described the agreement as a milestone for economic development.

“In only a few months, we have moved from conversation to collaboration. United with our financial institutions, our energy systems, and our trade corridors, we can anchor inclusive and globally competitive green value chains,” he said.

The three-day Summit, which began yesterday, the 8th, and ends tomorrow, the 10th, is being hosted by the government of Ethiopia in collaboration with the African Union (AU). The African heads of state, who have converged in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, are not just participants but leaders in charting Africa’s climate future at the second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2).

Under the theme, “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development,” they are actively contributing to the discussions and decisions that will shape Africa’s climate future.

While opening the Summit, H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali, the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, called for real investments in climate solutions.

“We are not here to negotiate our survival. We are here to design the World’s next climate economy. As COP30 approaches, Africa must stand not just as a bloc of negotiators, but as a continent of solutions. We call for real investment, not charity, and proudly present Ethiopia’s bid to host COP32 in 2027.” H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali said, emphasizing the urgent need for immediate and substantial investments in climate solutions.

He proposed establishing the Africa Climate Compact, a comprehensive initiative that aims to produce innovators by 2030 and will be financed and owned by Africa, with implementation supported by partners. The Africa Climate Compact is a strategic plan that aims to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in climate solutions across the continent. It will be a continent-wide partnership uniting university, research institutions, startups, rural communities, and innovators across the continent.

The African Climate Innovation Compact (ACIC) will be a continent-wide partnership uniting university, research institutions, startups, rural communities, and innovators across the continent.

The Compact is structured around five pillars—innovation discovery, financing, knowledge development, policy enablement, and public engagement. ACIC will be backed by a blended financing model targeting $50 billion in annual investments.

Before the opening, H.E. Dr. Fitsum Assefa, Ethiopia’s Minister of Planning and Development and the Coordinator of ACS2, briefed the Press about the Summit, saying, “This is not just a meeting. It is a defining moment. Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change, contributing less than 4% of global emissions, yet bearing some of its harshest impacts. Yes, Africa is a victim of climate change, but it is also providing climate solutions. But we cannot do this alone. We need global solidarity, Fair finance, and genuine partnership and investment to ensure that Africa’s resilience becomes the World’s resilience.” H.E. Dr. Fitsum Assefa said.

She further added that, “At the same time, Africa is home to extraordinary potential: the youngest population in the World, vast renewable energy resources, and innovative communities driving locally rooted solutions.”

The leaders are tasked to develop Africa-led solutions in renewable energy, adaptation, green growth, and nature-based resilience, and unlocking climate finance by pushing for fair, predictable, and scaled-up resources for Africa’s priorities, out of the Summit.