- BY. DR BEN DAMOAH
Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic transformation over the past two decades has been striking. Expanding cities, growing industries, and rising incomes have brought improved infrastructure and livelihoods to millions. Yet, the same progress driving prosperity is also contributing to severe environmental harm across the region.
Economic growth in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Ghana has largely been powered by industrial activity, resource extraction, and rapid urbanization. In Nigeria, for example, the energy and services sectors helped raise GDP from $375 billion in 2017 to over $477 billion in 2022. Kenya’s expanding construction and transportation sectors grew by 6.1% and 7.2% respectively in 2023. These figures underscore a continent on the move but also one grappling with rising ecological costs.
The region’s development surge has accelerated deforestation, land degradation, and pollution. In Ghana, annual deforestation exceeds 2.6%, while industrial emissions in parts of Nigeria and South Africa have risen by more than 35%. These environmental pressures have made Africa one of the most climate-vulnerable regions globally, despite its minimal contribution (less than 3.8%) to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Extreme weather patterns, droughts, and flooding now threaten agriculture, water supply, and public health. Experts warn that while Africa’s economic prospects remain positive, unchecked environmental degradation could undermine the very foundations of growth.
This dynamic aligns with the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), a theory suggesting that environmental degradation increases during the early stages of economic growth but eventually declines as societies become wealthier and invest in cleaner technologies and stronger institutions.
Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa indicates that most countries remain in the early or transitional phase of this curve. Economic activities continue to expand faster than environmental protections can adapt, revealing a gap between growth ambitions and sustainable management.
Dr, Damoah point to weak governance, poor policy enforcement, and limited institutional capacity as major factors undermining environmental protection. While most countries have environmental policies on record, implementation often falls short due to limited resources, corruption, or competing political priorities.
The IMF’s 2024 regional outlook projects Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic growth at 3%, driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. However, these advances come with increased pressure on forests, water bodies, and biodiversity. Without stronger enforcement and sustainable planning, progress risks becoming self-defeating.
Some countries are beginning to chart alternative paths. Rwanda and Kenya have made notable strides through deliberate investments in reforestation, renewable energy, and waste management. Rwanda’s nationwide tree-planting initiatives and ban on plastic bags have earned it recognition for environmental leadership. Kenya’s commitment to geothermal and wind energy now provides a majority of its electricity from renewable sources. Rwanda and Kenya have made deliberate investments in renewable energy, reforestation, and conservation, showing that strategic policy choices can decouple economic growth from environmental damage.
These examples suggest that with effective governance and long-term planning, economic growth and environmental protection can advance together.
Dr. Damoah argues that sustainable growth in Sub-Saharan Africa will depend on strengthening institutions, improving regional collaboration, and promoting community involvement in environmental management. The challenge for African policymakers is to ensure that today’s progress does not compromise tomorrow’s resources.
He concluded that future research should broaden the geographic reach to include more varied SSA nations, considering regional differences in environmental concerns and solutions. More studies should be encouraged on dealing with country-specific issues while explaining practical, sustainable initiatives undertaken by countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and many other countries on the sustainable path.