Lagos to Mombasa: What Have We Learned?

The CGD Podcast – Center for Global Development
Date: September 12, 2024
Host: Julian Moore

Episode Overview

In the reflective season finale of “Lagos to Mombasa,” host Julian Moore recaps the podcast’s journey, focusing on lessons learned from two seasons spotlighting Africa’s most pressing development challenges. This episode emphasizes the impacts of climate change on the continent, summarizes critical discussions from previous episodes, and underscores the importance of governance and international partnership for a more resilient African future.

Main Themes & Purpose

Retrospective on the podcast’s mission: Giving voice to African development research and policy through both CGD’s work and that of partners across the continent.
Climate as this season’s central focus: Exploring the interconnected impacts of climate change—on economies, health, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and society.
Governance and global responsibility: Highlighting the crucial role of governance in adaptation efforts, and scrutinizing the imbalance between Africa's low emissions and high vulnerability to climate harm.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why “Lagos to Mombasa”? – Context and Intent

The podcast serves as a bridge connecting Africa's promise with its challenges, with an aim to create a cohesive narrative on African development.
Julian Moore:

“Africa has unwittingly become the epicenter of the practice of international development. Obviously, we don't want that title... But the most pressing questions about international development finds stark expression in Africa.” [01:10]

2. Recap of Featured Topics

Coverage has spanned vaccines, pandemic responses, digital identity, social protection, international partnerships (e.g., EU, US, China summits), and more.
Julian Moore:

“We try to explore the policies that create some sort of a bridge between the continent's promise and the challenges preventing the continent from getting there.” [02:00]

3. Why Focus on Climate?

COVID-19 exacerbated inequality, pushing 90 million more people (majority in Sub-Saharan Africa) into poverty.
Debt struggles, global trade tensions, rising interest rates, and climate crises heavily stress African economies.
Africa faces massive climate impacts—despite limited responsibility for global emissions (historically just 4–5%).
Julian Moore:

“More than 110 million people in Africa were directly affected by weather, climate and water related hazards... over 8.5 billion worth of economic damages done to a continent that's already the poorest.” [04:25]

4. Real-World Climate Impacts (2024 Examples)

Extreme Heat in South Sudan [05:35]
- March: Schools shut for two weeks in Juba due to temperatures reaching 106°F, power cuts, reported deaths.
Flooding in East Africa [06:15]
- May: Displacement of hundreds of thousands in multiple countries after heavy rains, following five years of drought.
- 257 fatalities, close to 300,000 people displaced in Kenya.
Julian Moore:

“We’ve had locusts, we have droughts, we have heat waves. All of this affecting development.” [07:25]

5. Infrastructure as a Vector for Climate Vulnerability

Liberia case study: Demographic health survey demonstrated a direct link between poor road infrastructure and adverse maternal health outcomes.
The 2014-16 Ebola crisis was compounded by seasonal rains and inadequate roads, leading to failed sample deliveries and worsening the outbreak.
Education access is also hampered by climate impacts (impassable roads, flooded areas).
Julian Moore:

“There were times where specimens... became invalid on the way to the labs because of how terrible the roads were. So what began as a health crisis spiraled into an infrastructure one affected by heavy rains and weather.” [09:50]

6. The Governance Imperative

Effective adaptation hinges on strong governance at local, regional, and national levels.
Initial climate agreements (1992) acknowledged disproportionate responsibility—those most responsible should shoulder most of the mitigation and adaptation burden. This principle has not been upheld in practice.
Julian Moore:

“It is not going to happen without a substantial improvement in the quality of our governance.” [11:40]
“Every aspect of African lives has been affected by the climate change, yet this is the continent least responsible for it.” [12:15]

7. Looking Forward

Africa’s climate adaptation requires genuine partnerships with the rest of the world.
Self-organization and upgrading of governance within Africa are as crucial as international aid/solidarity.
Julian Moore:

“Not only is it going to require a partnership with the rest of the world, how African governments organize themselves, how African governance is practiced is going to be a big part of it.” [13:15]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On Africa’s centrality to development:

“Africa has unwittingly become the epicenter of the practice of international development. Obviously, we don't want that title...” [01:11]
On compounding climate crises:

“Heat waves, heavy rain, floods, El Nino, tropical cyclones, droughts, all of this having devastating impact on communities and economies.” [05:10]
On the link between infrastructure and health during Ebola:

“There were times where specimens... became invalid on the way to the labs because of how terrible the roads were.” [09:50]
On governance:

“As we on the continent attempt to adapt to the climate crisis, it is not going to happen without a substantial improvement in the quality of our governance.” [11:40]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment/Topic | |----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 00:03 | Introduction & podcast purpose | | 01:10 | Why Africa is the global epicenter for development | | 03:45 | Season focus: Climate & inequalities since COVID-19 | | 05:35 | Recent extreme weather events - heat & flooding | | 08:25 | Infrastructure & health case study (Liberia, Ebola) | | 11:40 | Governance as a key to climate adaptation | | 13:15 | Looking forward – partnerships, the role of governance |

Closing Remarks & Acknowledgments

Julian Moore expresses gratitude for the podcast’s 30 guests, the CGD team, and special appreciation for Kia Maletta, his program coordinator and core contributor to the podcast’s research and scripting:

Julian Moore:

“It's almost impossible to imagine running this podcast or doing anything we've done over here over the last two years without her presence.” [14:25]

For further research and ongoing work: cgdev.org

Lagos to Mombasa: What Have We Learned?

The CGD Podcast – Center for Global Development
Date: September 12, 2024
Host: Julian Moore

Episode Overview

Main Themes & Purpose

Retrospective on the podcast’s mission: Giving voice to African development research and policy through both CGD’s work and that of partners across the continent.
Climate as this season’s central focus: Exploring the interconnected impacts of climate change—on economies, health, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and society.
Governance and global responsibility: Highlighting the crucial role of governance in adaptation efforts, and scrutinizing the imbalance between Africa's low emissions and high vulnerability to climate harm.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why “Lagos to Mombasa”? – Context and Intent

The podcast serves as a bridge connecting Africa's promise with its challenges, with an aim to create a cohesive narrative on African development.
Julian Moore:

“Africa has unwittingly become the epicenter of the practice of international development. Obviously, we don't want that title... But the most pressing questions about international development finds stark expression in Africa.” [01:10]

2. Recap of Featured Topics

Coverage has spanned vaccines, pandemic responses, digital identity, social protection, international partnerships (e.g., EU, US, China summits), and more.
Julian Moore:

“We try to explore the policies that create some sort of a bridge between the continent's promise and the challenges preventing the continent from getting there.” [02:00]

3. Why Focus on Climate?

COVID-19 exacerbated inequality, pushing 90 million more people (majority in Sub-Saharan Africa) into poverty.
Debt struggles, global trade tensions, rising interest rates, and climate crises heavily stress African economies.
Africa faces massive climate impacts—despite limited responsibility for global emissions (historically just 4–5%).
Julian Moore:

“More than 110 million people in Africa were directly affected by weather, climate and water related hazards... over 8.5 billion worth of economic damages done to a continent that's already the poorest.” [04:25]

4. Real-World Climate Impacts (2024 Examples)

Extreme Heat in South Sudan [05:35]
- March: Schools shut for two weeks in Juba due to temperatures reaching 106°F, power cuts, reported deaths.
Flooding in East Africa [06:15]
- May: Displacement of hundreds of thousands in multiple countries after heavy rains, following five years of drought.
- 257 fatalities, close to 300,000 people displaced in Kenya.
Julian Moore:

“We’ve had locusts, we have droughts, we have heat waves. All of this affecting development.” [07:25]

5. Infrastructure as a Vector for Climate Vulnerability

Liberia case study: Demographic health survey demonstrated a direct link between poor road infrastructure and adverse maternal health outcomes.
The 2014-16 Ebola crisis was compounded by seasonal rains and inadequate roads, leading to failed sample deliveries and worsening the outbreak.
Education access is also hampered by climate impacts (impassable roads, flooded areas).
Julian Moore:

“There were times where specimens... became invalid on the way to the labs because of how terrible the roads were. So what began as a health crisis spiraled into an infrastructure one affected by heavy rains and weather.” [09:50]

6. The Governance Imperative

Effective adaptation hinges on strong governance at local, regional, and national levels.
Initial climate agreements (1992) acknowledged disproportionate responsibility—those most responsible should shoulder most of the mitigation and adaptation burden. This principle has not been upheld in practice.
Julian Moore:

“It is not going to happen without a substantial improvement in the quality of our governance.” [11:40]
“Every aspect of African lives has been affected by the climate change, yet this is the continent least responsible for it.” [12:15]

7. Looking Forward

Africa’s climate adaptation requires genuine partnerships with the rest of the world.
Self-organization and upgrading of governance within Africa are as crucial as international aid/solidarity.
Julian Moore:

“Not only is it going to require a partnership with the rest of the world, how African governments organize themselves, how African governance is practiced is going to be a big part of it.” [13:15]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On Africa’s centrality to development:

“Africa has unwittingly become the epicenter of the practice of international development. Obviously, we don't want that title...” [01:11]
On compounding climate crises:

“Heat waves, heavy rain, floods, El Nino, tropical cyclones, droughts, all of this having devastating impact on communities and economies.” [05:10]
On the link between infrastructure and health during Ebola:

“There were times where specimens... became invalid on the way to the labs because of how terrible the roads were.” [09:50]
On governance:

“As we on the continent attempt to adapt to the climate crisis, it is not going to happen without a substantial improvement in the quality of our governance.” [11:40]

Timestamps for Important Segments

Closing Remarks & Acknowledgments

Julian Moore:

“It's almost impossible to imagine running this podcast or doing anything we've done over here over the last two years without her presence.” [14:25]

For further research and ongoing work: cgdev.org

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Lagos to Mombasa: What Have We Learned?

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Summary

Lagos to Mombasa: What Have We Learned?

Episode Overview

Main Themes & Purpose

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why “Lagos to Mombasa”? – Context and Intent

2. Recap of Featured Topics

3. Why Focus on Climate?

4. Real-World Climate Impacts (2024 Examples)

5. Infrastructure as a Vector for Climate Vulnerability

6. The Governance Imperative

7. Looking Forward

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Closing Remarks & Acknowledgments

Summary

Lagos to Mombasa: What Have We Learned?

Episode Overview

Main Themes & Purpose

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why “Lagos to Mombasa”? – Context and Intent

2. Recap of Featured Topics

3. Why Focus on Climate?

4. Real-World Climate Impacts (2024 Examples)

5. Infrastructure as a Vector for Climate Vulnerability

6. The Governance Imperative

7. Looking Forward

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Closing Remarks & Acknowledgments