Environment, Innovation and Agriculture
Paper Session
Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM (EST)
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Chairs:
Socrates Kraido Majune, President-Elect, African Finance and Economics Association, University of Nairobi - Gbadebo Odularu, President, African Finance and Economics Association
Building a Better Africa for Tomorrow’s Generation Through Sustainable Development and Innovation
Abstract
Building a Better Africa for Tomorrow’s Generation Through Sustainable Development and InnovationA Comparative Analysis of Kenya’s Water Sector Performance Trajectory: In the Pre – and Post Devolution Eras, in the Context of WASREB’s Key Performance Indicators.
Abstract
A Comparative Analysis of Kenya’s Water Sector Performance Trajectory: In the Pre – and Post Devolution Eras, in the Context of WASREB’s Key Performance Indicators. Access to water services is essential for realizing sustainable development and poverty reduction. The International United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 envisages universal and equitable access to safe water for all by the year 2030, primarily as an impetus for the actualization of these holistic UN objectives which aims eradication of poverty at the fall of the year 2030. In line with global efforts and aspirations on attainment of water sector set goals, the Kenya government has constantly evaluated its sector’s policy framework to resonate with the international trajectory with a focus of realizing the global water sector efficacy. In the year 2010, the country repealed its constitution. Among the raft of constitutional changes, was the devolution of provision of water and sanitation services to the county governments. This transition restructured the governance of water services, aiming to enhance equity, efficiency, and local accountability. However, despite this dream, performance progress on the sector’s key performance indicators as reflected by the sector’s regulator, Water Services Regulatory Board (WSERB) indicates that, the performance has been uneven across the devolved units (the counties). The study aims at comparing the national performance trends of the water services before and after devolution to provide evidence of governance effectiveness and sectorial reforms outcomes. Ultimately, the findings will inform policy interventions aimed at enhancing sector performance and accelerating the achievement of SDG 6 within the devolved governance framework.Precarity of Extreme Climate Change on Mental Health and Wellbeing in Africa
Abstract
Mental health emerges as a pressing global concern, with major depression affecting approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over their lifetimes, alongside pervasive anxiety disorders, as reported by the World Health Organization. Reports by WHO (2022) indicated the prevalence of mental health in African countries, yet little attention was paid to climate change's impact on mental health. In this study we explored the following objectives, first we identify the impact of high and low-temperature effects on mental health. Secondly, we examine the impact of extreme high and extreme low temperatures on each of the components of mental health disorders (depressive disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders). We show that extreme hot temperatures increase mental health disorders rates.Economic Impacts of climate Adaption Strategies in Low- Income West African Countries
Abstract
This study examines the economic impacts of climate adaptation strategies in low-income West African countries between 2000 and 2024. It focuses on four key indicators: renewable energy consumption, irrigated agricultural land, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction, and forest area under sustainable management. These indicators are assessed for their roles in enhancing economic resilience, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and supporting environmental sustainability in a region acutely vulnerable to climate change. Using panel data from selected low-income ECOWAS countries, the research applies fixed effects and system GMM estimation techniques to analyze the relationship between climate adaptation measures and economic performance, particularly in terms of GDP growth, agricultural productivity, and green employment. The findings indicated that greater investment in renewable energy reduces reliance on fossil fuels, improves energy access, and boosts productivity. Expanding irrigated farmland enhanced food security and raised rural incomes. Efforts to reduce GHG emissions—through cleaner technologies and reforestation—are associated with increased access to international climate finance and improved public health outcomes. Additionally, sustainable forest management supports ecological stability and drives income generation through conservation and forest-based industries. The study concludes that well-coordinated and integrated climate adaptation strategies deliver significant economic benefits. It advocates strengthened policy frameworks, increased public and private sector investment, and enhanced institutional capacity to effectively scale these interventions across the region. These efforts are essential for building climate-resilient economies and advancing sustainable development in West Africa.Modeling Maize Price Volatility in Sub-Saharan Africa: A GARCH-X Approach
Abstract
This study examines maize price volatility in Nigeria, Gambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, and Burkina Faso using GARCH-X models. Monthly price data from 2013 to 2023 are analyzed, incorporating exogenous variables such as exchange rates, crude oil prices, fertilizer prices, global maize prices, GDP per capita, and domestic maize supply. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller test confirms stationarity, while the ARCH-LM test validates volatility, justifying the use of GARCH-type models. Model comparison using AIC, BIC, and likelihood-ratio tests confirm that the GARCH-X model outperforms the standard GARCH model, demonstrating that exogenous factors enhance volatility modeling. Findings indicate that exchange rates significantly influence maize price volatility in DRC and Burkina Faso. In contrast, crude oil prices impact maize price volatility in the Gambia and Burkina Faso. In Nigeria, GDP per capita and domestic maize supply are key drivers of maize price volatility. Additionally, the GARCH-X model shows lower volatility persistence, suggesting external factors help stabilize price fluctuations. The results highlight the need for targeted policy interventions, including exchange rate stabilization, energy diversification, and investment in domestic production. This study enhances the understanding of maize price risk in sub-Saharan Africa and underscores the role of macroeconomic factors in market stability.Discussant(s)
Lackson Daniel Mudenda
,
Colby College
Allan Kithi
,
Livestock research centre
Eric Ayamga
,
Texas Tech University
Gbidum Sunday Tote
,
Central Bank of Nigeria
Kent Alwaka Mukoya
,
Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company
JEL Classifications
- Q0 - General