Managing Africa’s Natural Resource Base for Sustainable Growth and Development

Africa is endowed with a very rich and diverse natural resource base on which the livelihood of its people, especially the rural population, depends. Although Governments are placing pro-poor economic growth and environmental sustainability at the heart of their economic policies, planning systems and institutions, there persists a paradox. Africa remains one of the most vulnerable continents with deepening poverty levels and worrying trends of degradation of natural resources. Sustainable development demands a reversal of natural resource exploitation with little value-addition, which results in environmental degradation and natural resource depletion, with marginal benefits accruing to countries.

The underlying theme of this Fourth issue of the Sustainable Development Report on Africa (SDRA-IV) is “Managing Africa’s Natural Resource Base for Sustainable Growth and Development, focusing on five themes: biodiversity, forests, biotechnology, mountains and tourism”. Part I of the report assesses progress towards sustainable development in the region, using an indicator set that covers the economic, social and environmental pillars, as well as those relating to governance, which is considered overarching and indispensable to achieving sustainable development. Part II explores the contribution of five sectors, namely - biodiversity, forests, biotechnology, tourism and mountains to Africa’s growth and poverty reduction.