The CGD Podcast: Lagos to Mombasa
Episode: What Can Climate-Resistant Infrastructure Do for Africa?
Date: August 15, 2024
Host: Judy Moore (Center for Global Development)
Guest: Antonio Pedro (Deputy Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Africa)
Episode Overview
This episode delves into the critical intersection of climate change, infrastructure, and climate adaptation across Africa. Judy Moore discusses with Antonio Pedro the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure on the continent, the economic and social risks of inaction, and the unique opportunities presented by Africa’s renewable energy and mineral resources. The conversation draws on recent cases from across Africa, insights from the 2023 Africa Sustainable Development Report, and examines the roles that governance, innovation, and financing play in building a resilient future.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Matters in Africa
- Africa’s Exposure & Vulnerability: The continent faces higher exposure to climate change effects than anywhere else, with minimal resources for resilience or adaptation.
- Infrastructure Gaps:
- Majority of African roads remain unpaved; 90% of freight/passenger movement is dependent on roads that are often disrupted by weather (01:26).
- 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, restricting economic diversification and industrial advancement.
- African ports failed to benefit from Red Sea shipping disruptions due to poor infrastructure (02:30).
Notable Quote:
“It's not simply the absence of infrastructure, it’s that the infrastructure that we do have is under threat from the climate.”
— Judy Moore, 02:50
2. Defining Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
- Core Concept:
- Infrastructure built to ensure continuity and withstand climate shocks, supporting delivery of vital services under extreme conditions (03:10).
- Encompasses thoughtful decisions on where and how infrastructure is constructed, aligned with development goals (SDGs/AU Agenda 2063).
Notable Quote:
“The key words here are indeed resilience, continuity and the ability to withstand the shocks.”
— Antonio Pedro, 03:15
3. The Economic Imperative: Cost of Resilience vs. Inaction
-
High Cost of Damage:
- Climate impacts cost African economies ~5% of GDP annually; can escalate higher (e.g., Mozambique lost 15% of GDP after cyclones) (05:10).
- Countries frequently divert large shares (2–9%) of national budgets to disaster response.
-
Value of Evidence-Based Policy:
- Greater investment up front in resilient infrastructure outweighs long-term costs of recovery.
Quote & Memorable Analogy:
“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”
— Judy Moore, 06:30
4. Real-World Examples & Data-Driven Planning
- Diversification Post-Disaster:
- Zimbabwe & Zambia enhanced energy security post-Kariba Dam’s drop in production (2015), signed agreements to produce 500MW of solar power.
- Planning Tools:
- Utilizing climate data, GIS, and historical trends to inform infrastructure location and design—preempting costly mistakes like building irrigation in future-unviable breadbaskets (06:43–09:33).
- Flood-Resilience in Kenya:
- Recent floods showed the dual-utility of irrigation canals for flood management (09:33).
5. The 2023 Africa Sustainable Development Report
- Findings:
- Africa is largely off-track on SDGs; for SDG 9.1 (resilient infrastructure), figures are concerning (e.g., 600 million without electricity).
- Challenges of poverty exacerbated by COVID-19.
- Opportunities:
- Africa holds vast solar, wind, and hydroelectric potential (e.g., INGA dam could deliver 50,000MW) (12:17).
Notable Quote:
“It's not only about having infrastructure, it's about ensuring that that infrastructure is accessible to the majority of our people so that we do not leave anyone behind.”
— Antonio Pedro, 11:43
6. Financing the Transition to Green, Resilient Infrastructure
-
Investment Gap:
- Less than 5% of global green energy investment comes to Africa, despite its high potential and resource base (14:20).
- Need to create more “bankable” infrastructure projects and address negative investment perceptions.
-
Infrastructure Development Programs:
- African Union’s Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) offers frameworks to attract further investment (14:50).
7. Innovation, Research, and Education
- Low R&D Investment:
- Africa lags in research funding; Egypt spends less than 1% of GDP, compared to 3.6% in high-income countries (16:07).
- Harnessing Youth Innovation:
- Rwanda’s innovation funds are a model, and global tech companies are interested in African talent.
- Policy, Not Just Money:
- Political will and smart incentives are key, beyond financial investment (16:49–19:57).
Notable Quote:
“There's no difference whatsoever in terms of the ability of our continent to be able to innovate. Our young people are at the forefront of major innovations.”
— Antonio Pedro, 18:15
8. Governance and Strategic Value-Addition
- Governance as a Bottleneck and Opportunity:
- Better organization, use of international partnerships, and leveraging scholarship programs can boost capacity (19:57–21:18).
- Linking Infrastructure to Export Value Chains:
- African economies still mainly export raw materials, missing out on greater value addition.
- Example: Mining and processing of battery minerals for EVs—DRC and Zambia can produce battery precursors at lower costs and emissions than China/US/Poland (22:07–25:30).
Notable Quotes:
“The production of battery precursors ... in DRC was three times cheaper than ... in China and the US, and two times cheaper than Poland. And the emissions profile was 25% better.”
— Antonio Pedro, 24:14
“This is a typical case of the paradox of plenty—where you produce 70% of your cobalt ... but companies like Tesla ... cannot exist without such critical minerals.”
— Antonio Pedro, 25:43
- Regional Value Chains & Carbon Markets:
- Regional, cross-border infrastructure and development of carbon credit markets will maximize Africa’s benefits from its resources, and foster sustainability (26:00).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On cost and resilience:
“On average, climate change impacts are costing our economies about 5% of GDP per year.”
— Antonio Pedro, 05:10 -
On missed opportunities:
“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”
— Judy Moore, 06:30 -
On Africa's energy potential:
“We have huge opportunities to become a global powerhouse for climate action ... up to 50,000 megawatts of clean energy.”
— Antonio Pedro, 12:17 -
On Africa’s innovation abilities:
“Our young people are at the forefront of major innovations and many large corporations setting base in Africa ... because they recognize the potential.”
— Antonio Pedro, 18:15 -
On the raw materials paradox:
“Companies like Tesla ... with a market valuation of $1.3 trillion in 2021, cannot exist without such critical mineral.”
— Antonio Pedro, 25:55
Important Timestamps
- 01:26 – Host describes state of African roads and electricity access
- 03:10 – Defining climate-resilient infrastructure
- 05:10 – Economic cost of climate inaction
- 06:43 – Real-world responses: Zimbabwe, Zambia, use of data
- 09:33 – Kenya floods, expanding the concept of infrastructure
- 10:30 – Introduction of the 2023 Africa Sustainable Development Report
- 12:17 – Discussion on energy potential and opportunity
- 13:49 – Green energy investment gap and financing frameworks
- 16:49 – Innovation challenges and the importance of policy
- 19:57 – Governance, scholarships, and planning for resilience
- 22:07 – Extractivism, value chain upgrading, and EV battery opportunity
- 25:43 – The paradox of plenty and the need for better infrastructure-policy linkage
- 26:00 – Vision for integrated regional value chains and carbon market potential
Tone, Style, and Structure
- The conversation is rich, practical, and forward-looking, balancing urgency with optimism.
- Judy Moore uses personal and continental anecdotes to anchor technical points.
- Antonio Pedro is frank, data-driven, and advocates for evidence-based policy and regional cooperation, while highlighting Africa’s untapped promise.
This episode provides a comprehensive, insightful look into the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure on the continent—as not only a buffer against present dangers but as a lever for transformative growth and global climate leadership.
Recommended for: Policy-makers, development professionals, African government officials, climate activists, students of international development, and anyone interested in Africa’s future.