Olamide Francis
Friday, 08 November 2024
The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, 2024, presents a defining moment to start and accelerate action on key climate change topics. As an African, I am already getting tired of global meetings that yield little or no positive results to our continent. Sometimes, I’m compelled to think that because of many underlying interests from participating countries, it is increasingly difficult to forge concrete solutions to address our world’s most pressing issue. But let’s see what will happen this year.
Although, a key focus at COP29 will center on finance, recognizing the trillions of dollars needed to reduce emissions, protect lives, and safeguard livelihoods globally. However, an often-overlooked aspect of this financial focus is how investments can support the transfer of critical climate technologies to vulnerable regions like third world countries. For instance, Sub-Saharan Africa, despite its relatively minimal contribution to global emissions, is already experiencing extreme droughts, floods, and unprecedented heatwaves. For the region to effectively tackle climate challenges and meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), developed countries must prioritize technology transfer and knowledge building, ensuring Africa’s access to the tools and skills necessary for sustainable development.
Hence, African participants at this year’s conference must pass on the right message to the world not beg for handouts. In today’s column I will attempt to describe why knowledge transfer and knowledge building is essential to tackle our climate challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa and largely in third world nations.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy and social systems are exceptionally vulnerable to climate impacts due to reliance on climate-sensitive sectors, particularly agriculture. The UN estimates that climate change could reduce Africa’s agricultural yields by up to 50% by 2050, threatening food security and economic stability. Climate-smart agriculture, efficient water management, and renewable energy systems hold the potential to mitigate these risks, yet most African countries still face significant challenges in accessing these technologies.
As an example, Nigeria has about 77 million people without access to electricity. In fact, our national grid has collapsed for the record tenth time this year. It is a stark reminder of Sub-Saharan Africa’ energy deficit. Despite Nigeria’s substantial solar potential, limited technical infrastructure and financial resources hinder large-scale deployment of renewable energy solutions. In the context of technology transfer, effective technology transfer would allow Sub-Saharan African nations to leapfrog outdated energy infrastructure and move directly to renewable sources, such as solar, wind, and hydro, which can improve energy security and lower emissions.
At COP29, developed countries can catalyze this transition by committing to meaningful partnerships that not only provide funding but also facilitate the technical expertise needed for sustainable energy growth. If any institution wants us to quit or limit the use of fossil fuels, they should at least be liberal with their technologies to help us actualise their request.
Africa possesses an immense, largely untapped potential for renewable energy. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the continent could increase its solar capacity 20-fold by 2030 with sufficient investment and technical support. Morocco’s Noor Solar Power Station exemplifies this potential. Noor, the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant, was funded through international partnerships, including significant contributions from the World Bank and the African Development Bank. Now, Noor supplies clean energy to over two million Moroccans, demonstrating how external support and local commitment can drive renewable energy success.
To replicate such success across Sub-Saharan Africa, COP29 participants should consider creating tailored financing mechanisms that prioritize renewable energy projects, specifically designed for African nations. By focusing on capacity-building programs and public-private partnerships, developed countries can help African nations harness their renewable potential, reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, and contribute significantly to global climate goals.
Also, worth mentioning is that Sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural sector is especially vulnerable to climate variability, affecting millions of smallholder farmers who depend on seasonal rains. Climate-smart agriculture—which includes practices such as drought-resistant crop varieties, precision farming, and efficient irrigation systems—has proven effective in reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience. The Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, introduced drought-resistant maize in regions of Malawi, improving crop yields by as much as 50% under adverse conditions. Such initiatives highlight the potential for technology-driven agricultural resilience across Africa’s varied climates.
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Despite the demonstrated benefits, scaling up climate-smart agriculture in Africa requires more than funding; it necessitates a framework for knowledge transfer and skill-building among local farmers and agronomists. At COP29, developed countries can propose and commit to structured technology transfer programs that emphasize training for small-scale farmers, extension officers, and rural communities. Such initiatives can empower African farmers to adopt sustainable practices that protect their livelihoods while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
While ambitious, Africa’s climate adaptation goals hinge on access to substantial climate finance. Though the Paris Agreement pledged $100 billion annually from developed countries to support developing nations, it was only in 2022 that they kept to that promise. Until 2022, far less only between $21 billion and $83.3 billion was mobilised. On second thought, the $100 billion climate finance target falls far short of what developing countries need to meet their climate goals under the Paris Agreement. A UN Climate Change report suggests that developing countries require at least $6 trillion by 2030 to meet even half of their current Nationally Determined Contributions.
Let me also mention that most climate finance comes in the form of loans, many of which are non-concessional, intensifying debt burdens across these developing regions, including my country, Nigeria. Moving forward, any necessary loans must be offered at much lower rates and extended repayment terms to avoid further financial strain. Given the scale of Africa’s adaptation needs, COP29 should focus on strengthening these commitments, with targeted financing mechanisms that facilitate technology acquisition, infrastructure development, and human capacity building.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) offers a framework for financing but requires improvement in accessibility for African nations. At COP29, African leaders and developed country representatives must advocate for simpler, more transparent financing processes, ensuring African countries can more effectively deploy technologies that improve climate resilience and reduce emissions. COP29 also presents an opportunity for developed nations to collaborate on flexible financing tools, such as low-interest loans, grant programs, and debt-for-climate swaps, which can help Africa afford the costly infrastructure necessary for sustainable development.
Knowledge and technology transfer in Africa will surely experience bottlenecks – one of such is intellectual property (IP) restrictions. Cutting-edge technologies, especially in fields like renewable energy, water treatment, and climate-resilient agriculture, often carry high licensing fees that can prevent developing nations from accessing the most effective solutions. Flexible IP policies could significantly accelerate Africa’s climate adaptation efforts, allowing African countries to locally manufacture, customize, and maintain critical technologies.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Technology Access Pool during the COVID-19 pandemic provides a recent model for IP flexibility that can be applied to climate technology. This initiative allowed countries to share patents and data to improve access to vaccines and treatments. By extending a similar model to climate-critical technologies, COP29 leaders could make advancements like advanced solar panels, water purification systems, and climate-resilient seeds more accessible to African countries, accelerating their journey toward climate resilience.
Not forgetting that true technology transfer is not simply about supplying equipment or funds; it requires investing in human capital to ensure local communities can maintain and adapt these technologies over time. This is essential for long-term success in any technology transfer initiative. Programs like South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) illustrate how capacity building can create a self-sustaining green energy sector. Through REIPPPP, thousands of South Africans have been trained in renewable energy installation, operation, and maintenance, creating jobs and fostering local expertise in clean energy.
At COP29, developed countries can commit to supporting similar programs across Sub-Saharan Africa, training local professionals in key sectors like renewable energy, agriculture, and water management. By working with African universities and technical institutions, developed nations can help foster a new generation of climate professionals equipped to lead Africa’s sustainability efforts. Such investments lay the foundation for local ownership and long-term success, moving African nations toward self-sufficiency in climate adaptation. We want a permanent solution, not a temporary one that keeps us perpetually insufficient.
Finally, effective technology transfer is not only a moral imperative but a strategic move that enhances global stability and economic opportunity. Climate-resilient economies in Sub-Saharan Africa can strengthen global food security, protect biodiversity, and provide new markets for green technology and renewable energy investments. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Africa’s renewable energy sector alone could create up to 10 million jobs by 2030, offering significant opportunities for global trade and partnership.
Supporting Africa’s transition to a sustainable, climate-resilient future mitigates global risks, including climate-related migration, resource conflicts, and economic instability. Developed countries benefit from a stable, sustainable Africa through reduced pressures on international resources, enhanced trade, and shared climate resilience. COP29 offers a unique chance to build these partnerships, making the world stronger and more resilient in the face of climate change.
In conclusion, COP29 represents a critical opportunity for developed countries to commit to real, sustained climate action that empowers Sub-Saharan Africa through technology transfer and capacity building. Meeting the global climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires a unified effort, where no region is left behind. This involves not just financial commitments but a comprehensive framework for technology sharing, capacity building, and flexible IP policies that support African-led solutions.
For COP29 to truly mark a turning point in climate action, developed nations must recognize and act upon the urgent need for technology transfer to Sub-Saharan Africa. With targeted support and collaboration, Africa can become a leader in sustainable development and a cornerstone of global climate resilience. Equipping Africa with the tools and knowledge necessary to face climate challenges will create a more equitable and sustainable future—one that benefits both Africa and the world
