Africa At The Heart Of a Low-Carbon Future

Africa finds itself at a pivotal crossroads in the battle against climate change. It bears the heavy burden of the crisis’s severe impacts, despite having played a minor role in causing it. This injustice becomes particularly poignant when you consider that Africa is home to the world’s largest proportion of young people – a demographic especially susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change.

A just transition, in this context, must transcend its role as a mere environmental necessity; it should evolve into a beacon of social and economic justice. This transformation demands a profound shift in our collective mindset, where we prioritize equity and justice above all else. Our focus must be on those who lack reliable access to energy and those whose livelihoods are intricately tied to a fossil fuel-based economy. Achieving this mission necessitates nothing less than a fundamental overhaul of our systems, with energy serving as an empowering force. This transformation ensures that no one is left behind, and our path forward aligns with the principles of fairness and inclusivity.

To confine Africa’s climate narrative solely to discussions of loss, damage, adaptation, and resilience is unjust. Such a portrayal overlooks the continent’s immense potential to actively shape the global climate agenda and become a central player in determining our planet’s climate future.

Africa’s Climate Leadership Role 
Africa holds the solutions the world urgently needs. Consider Africa’s rainforests, renowned as the world’s most effective carbon sinks. The Congo Basin rainforest alone offsets more emissions than the entire African continent produces annually.

Furthermore, Africa boasts 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, crucial for renewable and low-carbon technologies like solar power, electric vehicles, and battery storage. To meet soaring global demand, production of minerals such as lithium, graphite, and cobalt must quintuple by 2050 – an impossible feat without Africa’s resources.

Coupled with the fact that it is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing workforce – with over 60% of Africans under the age of 25 – it becomes abundantly clear why Africa is a game-changer. When harnessed strategically, these valuable assets can unlock fresh economic opportunities, not only for the continent but for the entire world. They also play a crucial role in advancing global efforts towards mitigation.

Moreover, our ability to harness these resources is magnified by the rapid evolution of cutting-edge technologies. Remarkably, many of these technologies didn’t even exist a decade ago. This positions us to take substantial strides towards sustainable, green economic growth. 

This is an unmissable opportunity for African nations, transcending mere economic and environmental gains; it carries significant political implications. Africa has long been sidelined in climate discussions, but by spotlighting its pivotal role in the green transition, the continent can amplify its voice on the global stage. It’s time for Africa to seize this moment, rewrite its narrative, and assert itself as a climate action powerhouse.

There are three critical pathways to bolstering Africa’s Climate Leadership Role

Investing in Africa’s Green Growth
The foremost opportunity lies in ensuring Africa’s future development is inherently green. By embracing sustainable technologies and business models, we can chart a sustainable development path. It’s not about abruptly ending fossil fuels but exploring sustainable technologies that offer more appealing development avenues for Africa.

Investing in Africa’s renewable energy potential can help us achieve our energy access and economic growth aspirations. This approach extends beyond power generation to sectors like transportation and construction, where sustainable technologies can leapfrog older, dirtier alternatives, mirroring the telecommunications sector’s success story.

Positioning Africa to Produce for the World
Shifting more industrial processing investments to Africa can reduce emissions from global value chains while creating employment opportunities and economic diversification on the continent. This entails reducing our reliance on raw material exports and fostering value addition within Africa. Moreover, investing in energy-intensive products like green hydrogen could be a game-changer for the energy transition, benefitting the world as a whole.

The clearest path available to humanity is to relocate global industrial production capacity to Africa and therefore meet Africa’s and the world’s growing demand for goods and services in a green and expedient manner, while also allowing Africa to leapfrog the Industrial development path taken by the global north

His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto addressing The Berlin Energy Transition Dialougue, March 2023

Protecting Nature and Repairing the Climate
Africa boasts substantial forests, grasslands, peatlands, and mangroves that act as critical carbon sinks, slowing climate change. Regrettably, communities protecting these natural wonders receive little compensation. We urgently need to strengthen carbon markets and reward those preserving and enhancing these invaluable ecosystems.

But preserving carbon sinks alone won’t suffice. Africa’s youthful workforce can actively participate in solutions such as biochar, which enhances soil carbon storage and creates much-needed employment. Furthermore, we can leverage our abundant renewable energy and geological carbon storage to scale up carbon removal technologies where they can be most effective.

In conclusion:
Africa’s climate potential is a beacon of hope in the fight against climate change. By embracing these opportunities, we can steer our continent towards sustainable and inclusive growth while making substantial contributions to global climate action.Taking proactive steps in the realm of climate action can unlock a wealth of positive economic outcomes while safeguarding against the dire consequences of inaction. This proactive approach promises sustainable and inclusive growth, shaping the continent’s destiny in profound ways.

Sources: 
Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF) (2022). 2022 Forum Report: The Road
to COP27: Making Africa’s Case in the Global Climate Debate. https:// mo.ibrahim.foundation/sites/default/files/2022-07/2022-forum-report.pdf. Accessed 11 September 2023

International Energy Agency (IEA) (2021). World Energy Outlook 2021. https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/4ed140c1-c3f3-4fd9-acae- 789a4e14a23c/WorldEnergyOutlook2021.pdf. Accessed 11 September 2023

International Energy Agency (IEA) (2021). The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical- minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions. Accessed 11 September 2023

International Energy Agency (IEA) (2023). Financing Clean Energy in Africa Report: https://www.iea.org/reports/financing-clean-energy-in-africa Accessed 11 September 2023

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, HON. WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO, PhD., C.G.H. PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES, AT THE BERLIN ENERGY TRANSITION DIALOGUE, https://www.president.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/AT-THE-BERLIN-ENERGY-TRANSITION-DIALOGUE.pdf. Accessed 11 September 2023