Ramping up Africa's climate resilience for inclusive post-Covid-19 recovery

Africa is on a path to a green recovery as the continent navigates the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and looks towards sustainable development plans. Recently, a joint report on Multilateral Development Banks' Climate Finance Activity revealed that the commitment to address the impact of climate change surged to $66 billion in 2020 from $61.6 billion in 2019. In response to Africa's climate finance needs, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has doubled its climate finance to $25 billion between 2020 and 2025. Al Hamdou Dorsouma, Acting Director for Climate Change and Green Growth at AfDB, highlighted the importance of a green recovery for the continent and discussed the opportunities and challenges in achieving this goal. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of a comprehensive and integrated response to address both immediate and long-term green recovery needs in African countries. The economic repercussions of the pandemic are expected to persist for years, making a green recovery crucial. Al Hamdou emphasized the need for prioritizing long-term solutions that promote low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways. Building back better and greener is imperative for Africa's sustainable growth, with opportunities existing across various sectors. Key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and urban development offer avenues for Africa's green recovery. In the energy sector, harnessing renewable energy sources can not only spur economic growth but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat air pollution. Additionally, addressing the continent's substantial infrastructure gap by building climate-resilient infrastructure is essential for sustainable development. Urban planning and management are critical as Africa experiences rapid urbanization, with the establishment of green cities playing a pivotal role in contributing to a green recovery. Al Hamdou highlighted the AfDB's initiatives, including a $10 billion crisis response facility established last year to mitigate the socio-economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Moreover, a $3 billion social impact bond has been issued to support the recovery efforts in Africa. The focus on long-term sustainability and resilience is at the core of these initiatives, aiming to drive Africa towards a greener and more inclusive post-pandemic recovery. The transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy is a global trend gaining momentum. However, many African countries, including Nigeria, still heavily rely on fossil fuels for their energy needs. Al Hamdou stressed that energy transition in Africa is a gradual process and cannot happen overnight. African countries must industrialize and develop while avoiding the pitfalls of past reliance on fossil fuels. The Paris Agreement recognizes the varying timelines for decarbonizing economies in developed and developing countries, with a priority on enabling developing nations to transition at a pace that supports their development needs. Despite the challenges, Africa is already witnessing progress in energy transition, with countries like Kenya and Morocco leading the shift towards renewable energy. The AfDB has significantly increased its share of renewable energy investments, moving from 9% in 2001-2010 to 70% in 2011-2019, with a commitment to zero coal. However, the key challenge remains ensuring universal energy access while transitioning to renewable sources. Al Hamdou emphasized the importance of leveraging Africa's abundant renewable energy resources to facilitate the continent's energy transition, with the understanding that international support will be essential in meeting the associated costs. In conclusion, Africa's green recovery holds immense potential for driving sustainable development and resilience post-COVID-19. With a strong focus on green initiatives across sectors and continued international collaboration, the continent can pave the way towards a more environmentally conscious and prosperous future.