Insights on Africa’s Future in its Transition to the Green Economy

Abstract

The content of the green economy initiatives undertaken in recent years in several African countries makes them suitable and adaptable to rural areas. The big question, however, is how this green growth discourse should be operationalized in rural Africa. This issue is addressed in this chapter through the identification of opportunities and challenges for the transition to a rural green economy in various business sectors, namely small and medium enterprises (SMEs), agriculture, energy and forestry. Results confirm that challenges and opportunities exist in these different sectors of the economy in terms of innovation, entrepreneurship, demand for green products and services, access to finance, social inclusion and equity. The policies needed for the transition to the green economy are also highlighted in this chapter. Despite the climate and environmental challenges faced, Africa must engage in sustainable transformation and use the treasures it holds to turn constraints into opportunities.