Regardless of where you live, Africa is an essential part of it. The continent’s history, climate, and population make it essential for people worldwide. And the growth and development occurring there is something to be proud of.
But there are also some things about Africa that you might not be aware of. For example, terrorism and climate change threaten Africa, and people must be aware of that.
Climate change
Even though climate change is an essential issue for Africa, the reality is that it is far from well understood. This is brought on by a shortage of historical data and intricate tropical climate systems. Many important issues are still unresolved.
For instance, while it is widely agreed that climate change will increase temperatures in Africa, very little is known about how this will affect precipitation.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) base scenario shows that average temperatures in Africa will rise about 4 degrees by the end of the century, a significant increase from the current average.
Climate change is also expected to increase the number and intensity of extreme events. For example, some climate models show that rainfall in the Sahel may increase in the future, while others predict that the West African monsoon will be reduced.
Both scenarios have significant social and economic implications.
In addition, climate change will strain the health system and agricultural sector. Some of the impacts of climate change include increased temperature and humidity, infectious diseases, chronic floods, and sea level rise.
This is expected to negatively affect the agriculture of Africa and the livelihoods of nearly a billion people.
Climate change is expected to contribute to migration pressures within and across African states. Some of these migration pressures are due to climate-related hazards, such as sea level rise and drought.
Others are due to conflict, which is increasing in Africa. This will require increased cooperation between African governments, northern states, and developed countries to mitigate the effects of climate change.
A number of African nations are working diligently to adopt low-carbon technologies. The African Union has emphasized the importance of transboundary collaboration and systematic integration of climate change policies in its Malabo Declaration and African Union Strategy and Action Plan on Climate Change and Resilient Development.
This includes investments in low-carbon transport, resilient water infrastructure, and sustainable food systems. Transitioning to a new climate economy requires ambitious action in these critical economic systems.
However, many African countries are not yet ready for such a transition. They still need help from developed countries and emerging economies to deliver these investments.
Finally, climate change will increase competition for resources, particularly water. In some African countries, up to 50 percent of the agricultural population may be displaced due to water stress by 2020. In addition, arid and semi-arid land may increase by 7-8 percent, resulting in significant ramifications for poverty eradication and meeting the Millennium Development Goals.
In short, there is much to say about climate change in Africa. However, the impact of climate change will depend on how the continent’s leaders implement the recommendations contained in the State of the Climate in Africa 2021 report.
Economic growth
Despite the dire circumstances in Africa, many countries continue to cling to the dream of democratic freedom. But as with all things, progress comes at different speeds.
In the short term, a transition to a pluralistic system can be disruptive. But in the long run, the rule of law and democratic institutions bring predictability and accountability. Those attributes help build business confidence, which is essential to economic development.
Economic diversification is a critical element of Africa’s dynamism. It is associated with per capita income growth, shock resilience, improved governance, and improved productivity. But not all economic diversification measures apply to every country. In addition, the causal relationship between diversification and governance is poorly understood. The literature on the subject is limited.
In Africa, structural transformation is underway. Several African nations have instituted adjustment programs to build free enterprise. They typically involve liberalizing trade and investment regulations.
The resulting improvements have led to revitalize economic activity in the region. But these efforts are often hampered by low dollar exchange rates. This limits the growth of African export revenues. The United States, on the other hand, buys about 15 to 20 percent of the total exports from Sub-Saharan Africa.
Although the correlation between economic diversification and fiscal stability is not as strong as that between economic diversification and government spending, available data shows a positive correlation.
Interestingly, a recent study by the World Bank found that African nations undergoing reforms saw their fiscal deficits decrease, their GDP growth increase and their trade and investment indices improve.
Although economic diversification measures are not uniformly applicable to all African countries, many are worth looking into. In addition to improved governance, African countries can strengthen their economies by building infrastructure, establishing public-private partnerships, and improving the investment climate. These initiatives will encourage other investors to come to the party.
Despite the challenges, Africa has many reasons to be optimistic. The continent’s population will grow to two billion people by 2050. It has the youngest population of any continent, and its economy is poised to be one of the largest consumer markets in the world for the next three decades.
In addition, Africa is emerging as a global center of technology innovation and is becoming increasingly mobile. This, in turn, means greater financial inclusion and job creation resources.
While the world has experienced global economic stagnation and uncertainty, many nations have been forced to their limits. Famine and civil war have pushed many nations to the brink.
However, the past decade has witnessed a renewed focus on economic diversification. As countries diversify their economies, they will experience fewer people living in extreme poverty.
In addition, more countries have adopted democratic institutions. These institutions are critical to the sustainability of economic development.
Terrorism
Across Africa, terrorism poses a serious threat to the security and future development of the continent. In addition to threatening civilian lives, it contributes to political instability and economic loss.
The threat of terrorism is now a transnational threat, which requires coordinated regional and national efforts to counter it. However, the causes of terrorism differ significantly from country to country.
The international community needs to scale up funding and intelligence support and address the concurrent threats of poverty and inequality. It should also confront extremist ideologies offline and online. It should work with the African Member States and West and Central Africa to deprive terrorist organizations of funding.
It should also focus on the socioeconomic challenges faced by terrorism-affected countries.
African leaders have called for a concerted response to extremist violence on the continent. They have endorsed the Malabo declaration and condemned extremist violence.
In addition, they have pledged to support counter-terrorism operations led by the African Union. This includes the Multinational Joint Task Force in Lake Chad Basin, the African Union Mission in Somalia, and the G5 Sahel Joint Force.
In addition to international terrorism, African nations face threats from regional and subregional groups. These groups are often armed with new technologies to radicalize recruits and perpetrate fresh atrocities. They may also exploit weaknesses in the security and intelligence structures of countries.
The United States government has been a prominent force in the fight against international terrorism, particularly in the Sahel region of Africa. In 1998, two truck bombs exploded at US embassies in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya, killing hundreds.
The Da’esh affiliate’s penetration followed this into Burkina Faso and Niger. The European Union has also taken on a substantial role in countering terrorism in Africa, working in partnership with the African Union and the United Nations. In September, the European Union assumed the role of co-chair of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum.
The United Nations Security Council must redouble its efforts to support African peace support initiatives. It needs to include the experiences of countries such as Mali, Nigeria, and Mozambique in its future planning. It should also consider the regional response to terrorist groups, such as the Nairobi Process and the G5 Sahel Joint Force.
African leaders have urged the international community to provide adequate support to counter-terrorism. This includes logistical support, sustainable financial resources, and technical support. These elements will help ensure that African-led counter-terrorism initiatives are effective. They also must be based on a comprehensive political strategy that addresses the causes of terrorism.
The African Union has launched a Peace Fund to support countries that are victims of terrorist violence. It also encourages the Security Council to reinforce UN mechanisms that support African-led counter-terrorism missions.
