Pragmatische Wege zur Abstimmung von Klima- und Handelsregelungen auf die afrikanischen Ambitionen im Bereich grüner Technologien

This research paper examines the intersection of international trade regulations and Africa's ambitions for green technology and industrialisation. It specifically analyzes the potential impacts of the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and US tariffs, arguing that while these measures could theoretically drive demand for renewables, they are more likely to create fiscal constraints and hinder the continent's ability to invest in green R&D. The author advocates for a coordinated African response through the UNFCCC, the WTO, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to secure technology transfer and affordable finance.

• Africa possesses significant renewable energy potential, including approximately 10 TW of solar, 350 GW of hydropower, and 110 GW of wind power, and holds 30% of the world's known critical mineral reserves.
• The European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which becomes fully operational in January 2026, aims to impose border tariffs on carbon-intensive imports to level the playing field for EU exporters and encourage non-EU countries to adopt carbon pricing.
• The CBAM may have a severe negative economic impact on Africa, with one model suggesting a collective GDP reduction of 0.91%, representing a USD 25 billion loss based on 2021 levels.
• African nations face a massive climate finance gap; the funding required to implement the most recent Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) was estimated at USD 2.5-2.8 trillion between 2020 and 2030, making the COP29 target of USD 300 billion insufficient.
• While unilateral trade measures are generally viewed as restrictive, they may offer strategic opportunities for Africa to negotiate localisation and processing benefits in exchange for access to critical minerals, or to attract manufacturing relocated from the US due to tariffs.
• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is identified as a key tool for regional response, with the potential to eliminate 97% of tariffs across the continent and integrate green technology development into protocols on investment and intellectual property.
• The author recommends that African countries use the WTO to launch formal disputes against unilateral measures, specifically noting that the Gambia, Libya, Gabon, and Mozambique are among the most affected by the CBAM.

APA

Rumble, O. (2025). Pragmatische Wege zur Abstimmung von Klima- und Handelsregelungen auf die afrikanischen Ambitionen im Bereich grüner Technologien. Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/de/pragmatische-wege-zur-abstimmung-von-klima-und-handelsregelungen-auf-die-afrikanischen-ambitionen-im-bereich-gruner-technologien-en

Chicago

Rumble, Olivia. Pragmatische Wege zur Abstimmung von Klima- und Handelsregelungen auf die afrikanischen Ambitionen im Bereich grüner Technologien. Africa Policy Research Institute, 2025. https://afripoli.org/de/pragmatische-wege-zur-abstimmung-von-klima-und-handelsregelungen-auf-die-afrikanischen-ambitionen-im-bereich-gruner-technologien-en.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rumble |first1=Olivia |title=Pragmatische Wege zur Abstimmung von Klima- und Handelsregelungen auf die afrikanischen Ambitionen im Bereich grüner Technologien |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=19 November 2025 |url=https://afripoli.org/de/pragmatische-wege-zur-abstimmung-von-klima-und-handelsregelungen-auf-die-afrikanischen-ambitionen-im-bereich-gruner-technologien-en |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rumble2025pragmatische, author = {Rumble, Olivia}, title = {{Pragmatische Wege zur Abstimmung von Klima- und Handelsregelungen auf die afrikanischen Ambitionen im Bereich grüner Technologien}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2025}, month = nov, url = {https://afripoli.org/de/pragmatische-wege-zur-abstimmung-von-klima-und-handelsregelungen-auf-die-afrikanischen-ambitionen-im-bereich-gruner-technologien-en}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }