The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a historic agreement that has the potential to transform the economic landscape of the African continent.
However, beyond the obvious economic benefits, the AfCFTA also has the potential to build resilience to the devastating impact of climate change in Africa.
By promoting sustainable economic growth, the AfCFTA can help to reduce the carbon footprint of African economies, and ensure that the continent is better able to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.
Climate change is already having a devastating impact on Africa.
From extreme weather events to desertification and drought, the effects of climate change are being felt across the continent.
According to the United Nations, 80% of the African population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods, and climate change is putting this sector at risk.
In addition, the risk of water scarcity is increasing, which could have serious consequences for both human and animal health.
However, the AfCFTA can help to build resilience to these challenges by promoting sustainable economic growth.
By creating a single market for goods and services, the AfCFTA can promote the growth of sustainable industries such as renewable energy, green agriculture, and eco-tourism.
This will help to reduce the carbon footprint of African economies, and ensure that they are better able to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.
Moreover, the AfCFTA can facilitate the transfer of technology and expertise between African countries, which will help to build capacity for sustainable development.
For example, countries with established renewable energy industries can share their knowledge and expertise with countries that are just starting to develop these industries.
This will help to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy across the continent.
There are already examples of similar strategies being implemented successfully in other regions of the world.
For example, the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive requires member states to increase the share of renewable energy in their national energy mix.
As a result, the share of renewable energy in the EU’s energy mix has increased from 8.5% in 2004 to 18% in 2018.
Similarly, Costa Rica has set a target of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and has made significant progress toward this goal by investing in renewable energy and reforestation.
Another successful example is South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP).
The program, which was launched in 2011, aims to increase the share of renewable energy in South Africa’s energy mix while also creating economic opportunities and reducing carbon emissions.
To date, the program has attracted over $14 billion in private sector investment and has added over 6,000 megawatts of renewable energy to the grid.
Another notable example of successful technology transfer in Africa is the M-Pesa mobile money service in Kenya.
M-Pesa has revolutionised financial services in Kenya and other African countries by enabling users to send and receive money, pay bills, and access loans via their mobile phones.
This technology has improved financial inclusion in Africa and has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of financial services by reducing the need for physical infrastructure.
In addition to promoting sustainable economic growth, the AfCFTA can also help to build resilience to the impacts of climate change by improving access to climate finance.
The AfCFTA can create a larger market for climate finance and investment, which can help to attract greater levels of investment in climate mitigation and adaptation projects.
This will help to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy while also increasing the resilience of African economies to the impacts of climate change.
However, it is important to note that the AfCFTA alone cannot solve the challenge of climate change in Africa.
It must be accompanied by robust policies and regulations that promote sustainable development and protect the environment.
Moreover, it is important to ensure that the benefits of the AfCFTA are distributed equitably across the continent, and that vulnerable communities are not left behind.
One potential solution that has been proposed is debt-for-climate swaps, where the debt owed by developing countries is forgiven in exchange for investments in climate mitigation and adaptation projects.
While this may seem like an attractive solution, there are also risks associated with debt-for-climate swaps.
For example, there is a risk that debt relief may simply be used to finance unsustainable projects, or that it may be accompanied by conditions that are detrimental to the environment.
Instead of relying solely on debt-for-climate swaps, African countries can leverage the AfCFTA to drive sustainable economic growth and climate resilience.
By creating a single market for goods and services, the AfCFTA can facilitate the growth of sustainable industries such as renewable energy, green agriculture, and eco-tourism.
This will help to reduce the carbon footprint of African economies and ensure that they are better able to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.
One example of a successful sustainable industry in Africa is the renewable energy sector in Morocco.
Morocco has made significant investments in renewable energy, particularly in wind and solar power, with the goal of generating 52% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
This investment has led to the creation of thousands of jobs and reduced Morocco’s dependence on fossil fuels, which has contributed to the country’s climate resilience.
However, it is important to note that the AfCFTA alone cannot solve the challenge of climate change in Africa.
It must be accompanied by robust policies and regulations that promote sustainable development and protect the environment.
Moreover, it is important to ensure that the benefits of the AfCFTA are distributed equitably across the continent, and that vulnerable communities are not left behind.
One strategy to ensure the equitable distribution of benefits is to focus on building capacity and empowering local communities.
For example, in the rural areas of Kenya, a program called Jitokeze Wamama Wafrika (JWW) is empowering women to become entrepreneurs and leaders in their communities.
JWW provides training and support for women to start and run their businesses, particularly in the areas of sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.
By empowering local communities to become agents of change, the AfCFTA can help to build resilience to the devastating impact of climate change in Africa.
In conclusion, the AfCFTA has the potential to drive sustainable economic growth and build resilience to the devastating impact of climate change in Africa.
By promoting sustainable industries, facilitating technology transfer, and empowering local communities, the AfCFTA can reduce the carbon footprint of African economies and ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind.
However, to fully realise the potential of the AfCFTA, it must be accompanied by robust policies and regulations that promote sustainable development and protect the environment.
*The writer of this article is Kevin Mofokeng, a Developmental Writer and digital PR strategist based in Gaborone, Botswana. The views expressed by Kevin Mofokeng are not necessarily those of The Bulrushes
