It was wonderful to be part of Sustainability Week Africa. This inaugural event was hosted by the Economist Impact in Cape Town on 24 and 25 October. African leaders came together to discuss how to accelerate Africa’s journey towards sustainability. The sessions were energetic with speakers from across the continent. The Economist moderators Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran, Ore Ogunbiyi and John McDermott were an impressive team and essential for keeping the panellists accountable.
There were many invigorating discussions on questions we are all trying to figure out, numerous networking opportunities, and the opportunity to connecting with many inspiring leaders. Meeting people face-to-face makes such a difference, and coffee was much needed with the amount of different topics and challenges presented. It can be depressing to see, that despite the rise in renewable energy and collective efforts, emissions have risen 1,3% on 2022 levels.
Despite the current situation it was inspiring to meet motivated people, enjoy the energetic atmosphere, with determined delegates forging new paths by challenging the status quo with witty, incisive and challenging questions which made each discussion interesting.
Globally, sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) disclosures are shifting away from voluntary frameworks to mandatory compliance, reflecting a growing expectation from capital providers to integrate these considerations into investment processes.
In Africa, this emphasis on responsible investment is crucial given the continent’s abundant natural resources, which include nearly 30% of the world’s mineral reserves and 65% of arable land. This makes Africa central to both the green energy transition and global food security efforts. However, a focus on sustainability must also prioritize local community benefits, resilience building, and climate adaptation strategies. Carbon and biodiversity markets are important financing mechanisms for Africa. We know they are not perfect, but we need to make them work.
Some key points
1.Regenerative Agriculture: Regenerative agriculture practices are gaining traction in Africa to enhance food security and sustainability. For example, companies that partner with local farmers to implement crop rotation and agroforestry can improve soil health and increase yield resilience against climate change. One challenge is the limited access to funding and resources for farmers. A potential solution lies in establishing partnerships between businesses and financial institutions to provide microloans and technical support, helping farmers adopt these practices effectively.
2. Biodiversity Conservation: With biodiversity experiencing a steep decline—69% of global wildlife populations have diminished since 1970—Africa faces immense pressure to protect its unique ecosystems. Recent events, such as the landmark conviction of a rhino syndicate leader in Mozambique, underline the urgent need to combat wildlife poaching. To mitigate these challenges, sustainable harvesting models for species and the development of wildlife-based economies can be explored. Governments and businesses can collaborate to create regulations that support legal, sustainable wildlife trade, ensuring local communities benefit economically without compromising biodiversity.
3. Intra-African Trade: Intra-African trade is vital for economic growth but remains disappointingly low, with only 16% of total exports occurring within the continent. The AfCFTA, launched in 2018, aims to change this, but its success depends on nations addressing non-tariff barriers and enhancing trade facilitation. Encouraging larger economies to engage more with their neighbour’s through incentive programs and reducing bureaucratic hurdles can foster growth. For example, creating a shared digital platform for trade logistics could streamline processes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
4. Sustainable Procurement: Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs) face challenges such as supply chain disruptions and rising sustainability expectations. To tackle these issues, organizations can adopt innovative sustainable procurement practices, such as prioritizing local suppliers and minimizing carbon footprints. Training programs for CPOs that emphasize sustainability can also lead to the adoption of greener practices.
5. Water Scarcity: Water scarcity threatens about one in three Africans and is projected to affect 230 million people severely by 2025. To combat this, countries could implement efficient water management technologies and improve agricultural practices to reduce water waste. Successful regional cooperation, such as shared water management agreements, can also serve as a model for effective resource allocation and adaptation strategies.
6. Sustainable Tourism: Sustainable tourism could significantly boost local economies while preserving the environment. Countries should focus on developing tourism projects that emphasize conservation and community participation. Local governments can implement policies that ensure the economic benefits of tourism flow to local communities, such as creating community-owned wildlife reserves.
7. Empowering MSMEs: Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) account for nearly 90% of Africa’s business landscape and are critical for driving sustainable industrialization. However, they often face barriers such as lack of access to financing and markets. Improving access to capital through targeted funds or grants, along with digital platforms that connect MSMEs with larger markets, can empower these enterprises to innovate and contribute to sustainable development.
8. Digital Inclusion and Youth Engagement: Africa has a considerable youth demographic, with a median age of approximately 19.7 years, making it the youngest continent in the world. This youthful population is poised to play a pivotal role in driving sustainability efforts. By harnessing their energy and creativity, young Africans can implement innovative solutions to environmental challenges. Educational initiatives will be key to equipping them with knowledge about sustainability. Digital platforms and collaborations between educational institutions and tech companies can promote sustainability education in schools. Encouraging students to study sustainability-related fields will foster a future workforce ready to tackle environmental challenges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Africa faces significant challenges related to sustainability, innovative solutions abound. Collaboration between governments, businesses, and communities will be essential to leverage the continent’s natural resources responsibly, promote inclusive growth, and ensure long-term environmental resilience. By fostering responsible investment, enhancing trade practices, and prioritizing education, Africa can chart a sustainable path forward those benefits both its people and its rich biodiversity. The active engagement of the youth as both learners and innovators can catalyze change, driving initiatives that address climate issues and promote sustainable development across the continent.
Anne-Catherine Schaub-Jones
Anne-Catherine has more than 20 years of international experience as a recruiter, entrepreneur and professional trainer in both the non-profit and private sectors. She specialises in senior-level appointments for international development or humanitarian organisations, global non-profits, foundations, social businesses and more globally for the “for impact sector”. She has extended experience in talent acquisition, placing leaders in and from the global South. She joined Oxford HR in 2021. Previously, Anne-Catherine worked for Mission Talent in executive search, as an entrepreneur in digital innovation, for a slow fashion social enterprise in Vietnam and as the founder of Allo French.
