Search Climate Insights Directory

The report analyzes development scenarios for Comoros, contrasting a 'Current Path' with a 'Combined scenario' of sectoral interventions. It identifies systemic barriers including corruption, poor infrastructure, and climate change, while proposing a comprehensive policy framework focusing on governance, agricultural productivity, human capital, and the mobilization of international finance to reduce poverty and expand the formal economy by 2043.

The report projects that a Combined scenario of 11 sectoral interventions would increase Mauritius's GDP per capita by US$5,380 and its overall economy by US$7.1 billion by 2043. While the scenario accelerates the elimination of extreme poverty and reduces domestic inequality, it is also projected to result in a slight increase in carbon emissions of 0.3 million tons. The economic growth is driven primarily by the services sector, though the country faces challenges including a skilled labour shortage, corruption in offshore financial services, and low female labour force participation.

The document forecasts that Liberia's GDP per capita will reach US$4,358 by 2043 under the Combined Agenda 2063 scenario, driven primarily by agriculture, financial flows, and free trade. This scenario is projected to lift 2.2 million additional people out of extreme poverty and double the size of the economy to US$21.6 billion, though it will also increase carbon emissions to 2.1 million tons due to heightened economic activity.

The report forecasts that sub-Saharan Africa's population will grow to 1.962 billion by 2043, with a significant shift toward urbanization. While regional GDP is projected to increase substantially, reaching between US$6.2 trillion and US$6.7 trillion, GDP per capita growth is tempered by rapid population increases. The region is expected to face increasing food insecurity as agricultural demand outstrips production. Energy production is projected to shift toward renewables, yet total carbon emissions are forecast to rise by over 146% by 2043, with Nigeria expected to overtake South Africa as the region's largest emitter.

The report analyzes multiple development scenarios for Burundi, finding that while all scenarios improve GDP per capita over the 'Current Path', the Agriculture and Governance scenarios are most effective at reducing extreme poverty. It highlights a critical risk where the full implementation of the AfCFTA could potentially increase poverty to 75.8% by 2043 if not supported by complementary domestic policies. Environmental trade-offs are noted, as agricultural modernization and trade scenarios are projected to result in the highest carbon emissions by 2043.

The document analyzes remittance flows in Africa, noting that in 2023, gross inflows reached approximately US$90 billion. While remittances provide critical household support and macroeconomic stability, the authors warn of a 'remittance trap' and 'Dutch disease' that can hinder long-term economic growth. The paper highlights the use of diaspora bonds in countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria to fund infrastructure, and forecasts that net inflows to Africa will likely increase to US$94 billion by 2043, although their share of GDP is expected to decline.

The document analyzes the potential for the Central African Republic to significantly increase its GDP per capita and reduce extreme poverty through an intersectoral policy push under the Combined Agenda 2063 scenario. While the scenario predicts substantial economic growth, particularly driven by agriculture and the service sector, it also forecasts a significant increase in carbon emissions due to the carbon-intensive nature of this growth.

The report projects that the Combined Agenda 2063 scenario would significantly increase Benin's GDP per capita to US$7,421 and nearly double the overall economy to US$117.2 billion by 2043. While this path would lift an additional 4.6 million people out of extreme poverty and drive structural transformation toward services and manufacturing, it is also projected to increase carbon emissions to 10.1 million tons, necessitating an accelerated energy transition to mitigate environmental degradation.

The document models the potential for Burundi to achieve significant growth and poverty reduction through a combined policy push across sectors like governance, health, and agriculture. While the 'Combined scenario' predicts a dramatic increase in GDP and a sharp decline in extreme poverty by 2043, it also forecasts a higher increase in carbon emissions compared to the current path.

The Combined Agenda 2063 scenario for Cape Verde projects significant economic growth, with GDP per capita reaching US$15,663 by 2043 and a substantial reduction in extreme poverty. While the service, manufacturing, and ICT sectors are expected to be the primary drivers of GDP, the scenario also predicts an increase in carbon emissions to 0.47 million tons by 2043, necessitating an accelerated energy transition to mitigate environmental degradation.

The report argues that African governments must rely on social grants and employment schemes to support populations not absorbed by the economy. It highlights South Africa's expansive but potentially unsustainable grant system and the Expanded Public Works Programme. The text discusses the transition from conditional to universal grants and the use of biometric identification systems, like India's Aadhaar, to reduce corruption. A critical barrier identified is Africa's low tax-to-GDP ratio (16.5%), exacerbated by tax breaks for investors, which limits the funding available for these social protections.

The document analyzes the potential benefits of increased education spending in Africa by 2043. It finds that an 'Education scenario' would significantly boost GDP, reduce extreme poverty, and improve health outcomes, particularly in lower-income regions, while creating a 'human capital dividend' that accelerates economic growth.

The Agriculture scenario projects a significant increase in Africa's agricultural production, reducing food import dependence and extreme poverty while boosting GDP. By 2043, production could reach 2,167 million metric tons, with Nigeria emerging as the most significant producer. The scenario is expected to reduce the number of extremely poor Africans to 339 million and increase the total economy by US$354 billion compared to the Current Path. However, these gains depend on water availability, climate-driven carbon fertilisation, and the adoption of temperature-tolerant cultivars.

The research finds that an aggressive reduction in gender inequality would significantly increase Africa's GDP, GDP per capita, and human development indices by 2043. The most substantial economic gains are projected in the service sector and in regions with currently high gender gaps, such as North and West Africa. Socially, the Gender scenario is forecast to lift millions out of extreme poverty and reduce the number of stunted children by 6 million compared to the Current Path.

The document forecasts that achieving full gender equality by 2043 would significantly boost Africa's economy, increasing GDP by US$1 trillion compared to the current path and lifting 80 million more people out of extreme poverty. The most substantial gains are projected for North Africa and specific countries like Egypt and Nigeria, though the extent of the benefit depends on a country's economic structure and population growth.

The document synthesises projections from AFREXIMBANK, UNCTAD, UNDESA, IMF, the Pardee Centre, and the World Bank on the AfCFTA's potential to increase intra-African trade, boost GDP growth, reduce poverty, and raise wages, particularly for women and skilled workers.

The 'Sustainable Africa' scenario, which combines differentiated carbon taxes and energy efficiency policies, is projected to significantly reduce fossil fuel emissions while accelerating economic growth and reducing extreme poverty in Africa by 2050 and 2063.

The research paper projects that a 'Combined scenario'—integrating policy coherence, governance, and strategic investment—would significantly increase Africa's GDP to US$8.9 trillion by 2043 and reduce extreme poverty to 242 million people. It highlights that while low-income countries like the DR Congo and Mozambique would see the fastest growth, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and governance reforms are the most effective drivers of per capita income and poverty reduction across the continent.

The report examines the shift in African development from state-led industrialization and the pan-Africanist Lagos Plan of Action (1980) to the market-oriented Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) of the 1980s. It argues that while the Lagos Plan sought collective self-reliance, it failed due to a lack of national integration and monitoring. Conversely, SAPs—driven by the 'Washington Consensus'—forced devaluation, privatization, and spending cuts in health and education, which the author contends led to a 'race to the bottom,' stunted industrialization, and a decline in per capita income between 1980 and 1994.

The Manufacturing scenario projects a structural economic transformation for Africa by 2043, increasing the manufacturing sector's GDP share to 18.1% and adding US$282.8 billion to the continent's total GDP. This shift is expected to generate 34.6 million additional jobs, primarily unskilled roles in agro-processing and services, while increasing government revenue by US$81.6 billion. The scenario forecasts a reduction in extreme poverty, lifting 19.11 million more people out of poverty by 2043 than the Current Path, and predicts a long-term decrease in income inequality through the expansion of the middle class.