Opinion
Can trade make a difference in Africa?
Up to 90 percent of Africa’s total income from coffee, calculated as the average retail price of a pound of roasted and ground coffee, goes to consuming countries. This clearly underscores the benefit to be realized and enjoyed by African countries if they were to increase value-addition processes.The provision of regular, affordable and reliable energy to industries must also be assured. And there must be adherence to minimum standards of sustainability in the exploration of mineral and natural resources.
What sustainable options are available?
Africa’s minerals sector has experienced the commodities boom of recent years but, sadly, this has not translated into greater returns on investment for African countries. A clear vision on the inclusive use and management of resources for Africa’s development and transformation is needed. As part of the Institutional Sustainable Development Framework set out in Rio, Africa must make better use of its natural resources and at the same time ensure that the benefits are passed on to future generations.
The Africa Mining Vision endorsed by African Heads of State in 2009 seeks to do exactly this through a framework that integrates the triple goals of economic, social and environmental sustainability.
The possibility of simultaneous infrastructure and mining investments, for example by establishing natural resource-driven development corridors, offers a pragmatic approach to unlocking not only mining and infrastructure projects, but also other collateral economic and social opportunities – beyond national borders.
This concept has worked well in Botswana, which has developed a policy of beneficiation, and South Africa, which has developed mining policies to establish backward linkages into its economy with a sustainable and equitable development dimension.
Many opportunities also exist for the growth of the green economy through several ongoing initiatives at regional and national levels focused on mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change. In addition, efforts are on the way to develop sub-regional strategies for low-carbon economic growth. These efforts, when finalized, could help the continent make giant leaps towards sustainable energy solutions.
