26
H. Baleta et al.
Development trade-offs for Africa will require management of the WEF
nexus and the need to optimize natural resources for agriculture, manufacturing, urbanization and mining, together with other economic sectors including
tourism, ecosystem services for livelihoods and the environment itself. Infrastructure and institutional decisions are not easily modified once made. This is especially
true in Africa, where large-scale infrastructure and institutional decisions are being
made in the early stages of development that may lead to weak resilience at later
stages, sometimes as a result of climate change (Conway et al. 2018). Countries
that have historically developed extensive water, energy and food-related infrastructure without addressing coherence or resilience questions often create significant
financial sustainability challenges, especially because the infrastructure is frequently
ill-suited to current conditions of population pressure and/or climate variability. In
some instances, countries subject to such conditions have removed inappropriate or
stranded infrastructure assets to improve natural ecosystem resilience and reduce
the associated financial burden. Strengthening institutions and ensuring flexibility
in the management of water, energy and agricultural land resources (through development planning) enables countries to adapt to evolving development needs and
uncertain climate futures. This is closely related to demands for robust water, energy,
agricultural and transportation infrastructure (grey and green) to support economic
production and household access, within the context of limited financial and human
resources.
5 Africa’s Future Is Now
Africa faces a particular conundrum due to the vulnerability of rural populations across the continent that have limited access to infrastructure. Access to
water for people living in rural environments influences the livelihoods and household security of half the population of Africa. However, as noted previously, the
continent is growing and developing. Sectors including agriculture, manufacturing
and mining present water-, energy- and food-related trade-offs on the continent.
The development challenge is further compounded by the risks of climate change
and water insecurity. Available water is becoming increasingly unusable for human
consumption due to pollution and accelerated evaporation.
Decision-makers must consider the multi-faceted implications of development and growth on the continent. Priorities must account for the implications of
development on the natural ecosystem functioning of the continent, because many
countries in Africa are in the developing or emerging stage of their economies. Large
proportions of these populations depend on healthy catchments and river systems
for their food and livelihoods. One particular manifestation of the developmentecosystem trade-off are the impacts of dams, bridges and roads on the status of freeflowing rivers in Africa, an important indicator of river ecosystem health. Cambodia
would require up to a 155% increase in pasture lands to replace lost fish with lysine
from grazing livestock, while Laos could replace lost fish lysine by doubling pork
H. Baleta et al.
Development trade-offs for Africa will require management of the WEF
nexus and the need to optimize natural resources for agriculture, manufacturing, urbanization and mining, together with other economic sectors including
tourism, ecosystem services for livelihoods and the environment itself. Infrastructure and institutional decisions are not easily modified once made. This is especially
true in Africa, where large-scale infrastructure and institutional decisions are being
made in the early stages of development that may lead to weak resilience at later
stages, sometimes as a result of climate change (Conway et al. 2018). Countries
that have historically developed extensive water, energy and food-related infrastructure without addressing coherence or resilience questions often create significant
financial sustainability challenges, especially because the infrastructure is frequently
ill-suited to current conditions of population pressure and/or climate variability. In
some instances, countries subject to such conditions have removed inappropriate or
stranded infrastructure assets to improve natural ecosystem resilience and reduce
the associated financial burden. Strengthening institutions and ensuring flexibility
in the management of water, energy and agricultural land resources (through development planning) enables countries to adapt to evolving development needs and
uncertain climate futures. This is closely related to demands for robust water, energy,
agricultural and transportation infrastructure (grey and green) to support economic
production and household access, within the context of limited financial and human
resources.
5 Africa’s Future Is Now
Africa faces a particular conundrum due to the vulnerability of rural populations across the continent that have limited access to infrastructure. Access to
water for people living in rural environments influences the livelihoods and household security of half the population of Africa. However, as noted previously, the
continent is growing and developing. Sectors including agriculture, manufacturing
and mining present water-, energy- and food-related trade-offs on the continent.
The development challenge is further compounded by the risks of climate change
and water insecurity. Available water is becoming increasingly unusable for human
consumption due to pollution and accelerated evaporation.
Decision-makers must consider the multi-faceted implications of development and growth on the continent. Priorities must account for the implications of
development on the natural ecosystem functioning of the continent, because many
countries in Africa are in the developing or emerging stage of their economies. Large
proportions of these populations depend on healthy catchments and river systems
for their food and livelihoods. One particular manifestation of the developmentecosystem trade-off are the impacts of dams, bridges and roads on the status of freeflowing rivers in Africa, an important indicator of river ecosystem health. Cambodia
would require up to a 155% increase in pasture lands to replace lost fish with lysine
from grazing livestock, while Laos could replace lost fish lysine by doubling pork