At the 11th JNDA BRIDGE AFRICA in Paris / “It's the Climate, stupid! »… or the domino effect (…)

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by Denis Deschamps

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After the launch of the Forum by Tarak CherifPresident of CONECT Internationale (Confederation of Citizen Enterprises of Tunisia) as well as of Anima Investment Network, and Pierre by Gaétan Njikam (founder of the JNDA), a first public discussion began, with moderation ensured by Léocadie Ebakissé (Talents Awake), between eminent African and French personalities on the challenges of the continent, today and tomorrow.

First and foremost among the economic subjects that were discussed, the climate issue constituted the common thread of these high-level exchanges, as it is true that climate change has become an absolutely fundamental issue for an Africa which is nevertheless unanimously recognized as “Net Zero” (net zero emissions, according to United Nations terminology).

The intervention of Nasser KamelSecretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, was decisive from this point of view. As the first participant in the panel, he in fact raised from the outset the need for prevention and adaptation in the face of the major risks that climate change constitutes for African economies characterized by the major weight of their agriculture. He cited extremely worrying figures, such as the loss of 40% of agricultural production due to climate warming, leading to a loss of 15% of GDP and climate migration (with climate refugees ending up in countries in the edge of the Mediterranean), while the African population continues to increase.

In response to these elements, How Nubkpoeconomist – former UEMOA Commissioner, provided some important clarifications, such as the need to implement coherent public policies in agricultural matters, including the promotion of institutional arrangements, and also the need to support the growth of agricultural productivity to cope with climate impact – which ultimately results in a 20% drop in productivity in the sector.

On behalf of the French Development Agency, Christian Yoka (AFD Africa Director) recalled that the rapid urbanization of the continent required the establishment of basic infrastructure in urban areas, for populations who are in precarious neighborhoods of African megacities (coastal cities and others) and therefore particularly affected by climate change.

In 2050, there should be more than a hundred cities with more than a million inhabitants in Africa, which requires public and private leaders to consider the demographic transition within the framework of urban dynamics. Christian Yoka also mentioned the various AFD programs such as Diasdev and Meetafrica to support African development through its diasporas, the general theme of the Forum.

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The need for earnings
decarbonized growth

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Based on his political experience and his economic and financial expertise, Lionel Zinsou for his part, underlined that, representing 25% of African GDP, the agricultural sector remains to this day the engine of economic and food security on the continent.

Consequently, any drop in productivity (20% less, as mentioned before) resulting from the climate necessarily had a great impact on a population whose number has increased considerably since the 1960s (from 400 million to 1.4 billion today). today) and whose life expectancy is much greater today than before.

Beyond an escape from poverty which seems assured, it is now a matter of working to develop resources, thanks to enhanced productivity leading to growth gains. Also, this development must be able to take place in a carbon-free logic and use of renewable energies, through impact investments in productive projects and the digital transition, to be able to maintain the continent on its positive trajectory. In this regard, Lionel Zinsou specified that Europe's involvement in African development was absolutely essential for the continent to remain “Net Zero” – thanks more particularly to the enormous carbon absorption capacity of its forests, particularly those of the Congo Basin.

As an extension of the panel, a round table on social and environmental responsibility (CSR) brought together different private players such as Orange (Elisabeth Tchoungui), Fresh Africa (Katia Kuseke), Natural Grass Africa (Farid Boussaad), Jacques-Olivier Pesme (Fonds Pierre Castel), Dclimate (Chamss Ould) who exchanged with Pierre-Samuel Guedj (Africa Mutandi) on the social responsibility strategies implemented on the continent to make it a true leader in this area.

However, the President of the Senegal Business Confederation, Adama Lamspecified that this should be considered in Africa rather as a “self-serving societal responsibility”, in other words focused on production based on the exploitation of the continent's natural resources, to be able to ensure the employment of its populations, but in a manner “green”. In other words, the fight against climate change still remains a fight…

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Agenda Paris, Tuesday 11/26/24 – Seven Ambassadors will participate in the XV^e CAAPdedicated to rail networks in Africa. REGISTRATIONS OPEN.

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