The green economy and Africa’s economic transformation: a balancing act

Abstract

Two approaches underpin the current policy debate on African development trajectories: conventional structural economic transformation and transformation linked to the green economy. While structural economic transformation is readily appreciated and practised, the green economy has been greeted by mixed reactions between supporters and opponents. The opponents argue that, in the African context, as in the historical experiences of other regions, rapid economic growth is most likely to contribute to environmental degradation and increased pollutants and effluents from industrialisation and technological change. The supporters do not discount the possibility of leapfrogging to the use of less polluting green technologies and alternative energy sources. The gulf between the two in the viability of the green economy is ever increasing. However, Africa needs to reinvigorate the optimism and euphoria energised by the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development – also known as Rio +20 on Green Economy in the Context of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication.