3-5 June 2015. Cape Town, South Africa. Under the theme, Then and Now: Reimagining Africa’s Future, the 25th World Economic Forum on Africa will convene regional and global leaders from business, government and civil society to take stock of progress over the last 25 years, share insights on the present landscape and identify innovative approaches to accelerate inclusive growth while bringing about sustainable development in the future.
The Future of Water
Meeting the Food Challenge
Africa possesses 60% of the world's arable land and 70% of its population relies on agriculture for its livelihood, yet the continent is a net importer of food. What are the challenges and opportunities as Africa accelerates agricultural production? Dimensions to be addressed:
- Strengthening land-use reforms
- Connecting stakeholders across the value chain
- Liberalizing regional markets
Launching the Blue Economy
Africa's bodies of water, comprising its blue economy, are three times the size of its land mass. What actions are needed to drive the sustainable management of the oceans, seas and lakes? Dimensions to be addressed:
- Unlocking growth and employment opportunities
- Managing maritime trade and security - Ensuring environmental sustainability and integrity
Over 358 million people in Africa live without access to water, and climate change is exacerbating the crisis. How can Africa' s leaders mitigate this risk? Dimensions to be addressed:
- Protecting watersheds and aquifers
- Abating water-related conflicts
- Promoting efficient use of water technologies
How will Africa's countries bridge data gaps to achieve the sustainable development goals?
Africa Progress Report 2015, Power People Planet: Seizing Africa’s Energy and Climate Opportunities.
Demand for modern energy is set to surge, fuelled by economic growth, demographic change and urbanisation. As the costs of low-carbon energy fall, Africa could leapfrog into a new era of power generation. Utility reform, new technologies and new business models could be as transformative in energy as the mobile phone has been in telecommunications.
Renewable energy is at the forefront of the changes sweeping Africa, which is registering some of the most remarkable advances in solar, geothermal and wind power. With world leaders due to meet in Paris in December to settle on a new global climate change deal, Africa has a chance to show the way to a low-carbon future – while putting in place the policies needed to reduce its vulnerability to the effects of climate change.
A “triple win” is within the region’s grasp, as renewable technologies create opportunities to increase agricultural productivity, improve resilience to climate change, and contribute to long-term reductions in dangerous carbon emissions.
The Africa Progress Report 2015 explains the bold steps that leaders globally and in Africa must take to achieve this vision. Above all, the report shows that the global climate moment is also Africa’s moment – Africa’s moment to lead the world.
The Africa Competitiveness Report 2015
The Africa Competitiveness Report was first published in 1998 and has, since 2007, been a biennial project highlighting areas that require policy action and investment to ensure Africa’s sustained growth. As the result of a longstanding collaboration, the report incorporates the knowledge and expertise of the African Development Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Bank Group and the World Economic Forum, presenting a joint vision that can inform policies and help Africa transform its economies.
Chapter 2.1 Transforming Africa’s Agriculture to Improve Competitiveness
- Facilitating public-private cooperation for open data
- Increasing real-time access to accurate data - Strengthening national and regional statistical systems
The report by Kofi Annan’s Africa Progress Panel demands that we rethink the relationship between energy, climate and development, as the window of opportunity for avoiding climate catastrophe is closing fast. Actions taken by African leaders are essential, and so are actions by the world.
Demand for modern energy is set to surge, fuelled by economic growth, demographic change and urbanisation. As the costs of low-carbon energy fall, Africa could leapfrog into a new era of power generation. Utility reform, new technologies and new business models could be as transformative in energy as the mobile phone has been in telecommunications.
Renewable energy is at the forefront of the changes sweeping Africa, which is registering some of the most remarkable advances in solar, geothermal and wind power. With world leaders due to meet in Paris in December to settle on a new global climate change deal, Africa has a chance to show the way to a low-carbon future – while putting in place the policies needed to reduce its vulnerability to the effects of climate change.
A “triple win” is within the region’s grasp, as renewable technologies create opportunities to increase agricultural productivity, improve resilience to climate change, and contribute to long-term reductions in dangerous carbon emissions.
The Africa Progress Report 2015 explains the bold steps that leaders globally and in Africa must take to achieve this vision. Above all, the report shows that the global climate moment is also Africa’s moment – Africa’s moment to lead the world.
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