As the world faces an unprecedented environmental crisis, Africa’s biodiversity holds untapped potential for adaptive and sustainable development. One way to harness this potential is to embrace a bioeconomy perspective through economic incentives, youth support initiatives, and multilateral cooperation, all of which will be presented at the World Agroforestry Center on October 3rd. Discussed at the recent “Bioeconomy for Climate Resilient Development” event held at . , Nairobi, sponsored by SEI Africa.
The event was held ahead of four major global summits where the bioeconomy will play a key role in combating biodiversity degradation, climate change and desertification.
Policymakers, scientists and financial experts were in attendance to highlight the critical role of the bioeconomy in promoting resilience and highlight innovative pathways for Africa’s future.
An economy that values nature and human happiness
In his keynote address, David Obra, Chair of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), emphasized the urgent need to harmonize climate and biodiversity solutions. Especially in Africa, where livelihoods are deeply tied to nature and natural resources, both need to be addressed to establish a bioeconomy that fosters climate-resilient development.
Mr. Onoura, an expert in marine ecology, warned against placing too much emphasis on the exploitation of profitable natural resources, which could lead to ecosystem degradation, and said that all the benefits from nature should be exploited. We advocated a balanced approach to optimization. “Africa’s rural and urban populations are highly dependent on nature-based livelihoods and ecosystem services, so a bioeconomy based on principles of complete sustainability is essential to the potential challenges they may face in the future. It is an important solution to the challenges and long-term prosperity of the people of Africa.” Koura said.
Mr. Koura also called for nature-based solutions in line with strategies to trap heat and reduce emissions of gases into the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which contribute to global warming. These strategies include using clean energy, improving energy efficiency, and protecting forests. He stressed that a sustainable bioeconomy requires ensuring equitable access to ecosystem services for local communities.
“Land is a heritage on which Africa depends,” said Patricia Kombo, youth negotiator for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Mr Kombo stressed the importance of intergenerational values in the African context and the critical role of land in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, calling for the protection and sustainable use of land. She emphasized the need to focus on young people who depend on the land for their future and need scientific knowledge, policies that take into account future needs, and opportunities to learn entrepreneurial skills to earn sustainable livelihoods. did.
In this debate, finance is a critical missing link for young people and African countries, especially in the context of climate change and technological development. Olufunso Somolin of the African Development Bank (AfDB) said Africa’s financial systems were not designed to support the ambitions of young people and access to capital remained a major hurdle. He proposed the establishment of a youth-managed National Youth Fund to foster entrepreneurship and support youth-led innovation in the bioeconomy.
Advancing the bioeconomy will require multilateral cooperation, particularly in African countries, where industrialization, coordination, financing and youth employment will all work together in the future to build a climate-resilient future. Participants suggested moving from simply writing a development proposal to writing a viable business plan that can secure start-up funding for small and medium-sized enterprises.
“To strengthen our planet, we need to incorporate biodiversity into our economic framework. Our survival depends on valuing nature’s contribution to humanity,” said UNEP’s Chief Economist. , said Thierry de Oliveira.
Bioeconomy initiatives and future initiatives
The Global Bioeconomy Summit in Nairobi next week will be an important opportunity for African stakeholders to play a leading role on these important issues. Julius Ecuru from BioInnovate Africa/icipe said: “It is critical that African countries adopt bioeconomy strategies and integrate them into their development frameworks, and South Africa will participate in the upcoming G20 bioeconomy initiative, the International Bioeconomy Forum. “We are ready to play a leading role,” he said, underscoring the importance of bioeconomy activities in climate resilience and sustainable development. South Africa remains the only African country participating in the International Bioeconomy Forum. Ekuru encouraged other African countries to join the forum.
The Global Bioeconomy Summit will also include the presentation of the State of East Africa’s Bioeconomy: 2024 report, to which SEI scientists contributed significantly. This report provides an overview of East Africa’s bioeconomy, the availability and utilization of the region’s bioresources, new opportunities for bioeconomy development, and examples of new and successful bioeconomy entrepreneurs.
UNEP Permanent Representative to Kenya, Ambassador Gertrude Angault, highlighted Kenya’s commitment to integrating the bioeconomy into the national development agenda, with a focus on sustainable agriculture, forestry, afforestation, biotechnology, renewable energy and the circular economy. She emphasized collective responsibility in the rational use and management of resources, including environmental management.
“To effectively address the intertwined climate and biodiversity crises, we need to unite the efforts of the scientific community and stakeholders to generate actionable insights,” said Philippe, Director of the SEI Africa Center. Osano said. SEI and the Kenyan government are already working to ensure the bioeconomy remains at the center of policy discussions in the lead-up to major global forums such as CBD COP16 and Climate Change COP29, to be held in Colombia and Azerbaijan respectively later this year. Follow-up activities are already planned. Further solutions for climate resilience and biodiversity conservation will be explored there.
