AfDB lays foundation for ‘climate smart’ industrialisation in Africa

22 Mai 2018

Busan, South Korea,  May 22 (Infosplusgabon) - The African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings taking place in Busan, South Korea from 21-25 May, is laying emphasis on the need for a fast industrialising African continent, which pays attention to the reduction of harmful carbon emissions causing heart and lung diseases.

Bank President Akinwumi Adesina, kicked off the series of meetings expected to take place at the seaside city of Busan, with a pledge to work towards the rapid industrialisation of Africa based on the Bank’s implementation of its five-themed plan known as the High-Five.

The High-Five plan lays emphasis on industrialising Africa; growing the continent’s food security through agriculture; ensuring adequate supply of electricity and other energy needs; developing first-class infrastructure including roads, seaports and enhancing logistical capabilities; and creating jobs for the youth. The plan also focuses on removing bottlenecks to regional trade and supporting integration.

Participants at various sessions of the Annual Meetings, gathering nearly 4,000 people, including the Governors of the Central Banks and Ministers of Finance from the Bank’s member countries, spoke of the need to ensure Africa’s industrialisation does not compromise health and increase pollution.

Professor Chul Hi Kim of the Seoul University, who is leading research on clean air technologies for African countries, said his research showed that most rural areas in Africa enjoyed cleaner air, but the situation was much different for most urban centres, where the air was much more polluted.

Prof. Chul is leading a team of researchers in developing new technologies which could assist countries to deal with the problem of pollution by machines, including motor vehicles, which emit carbon.

The clean air filters being developed by the team from the Korean university aim to reduce the pollution caused by older cars.

Kibret Yilak, a researcher for the project, said part of the problem facing most economies in Africa, was their under-development and the slow adoption of new technologies.

Kibret said the ongoing research to develop new air filters for vehicles already in use in Africa was part of the efforts to ensure low levels of pollution.

“We would like to work with the governments in Africa to develop the regulations and to ensure that the cars imported to Africa have these technologies. Our role as engineers is to ensure that these technologies are available in the market,” Kibret said.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/VAR/GABON 2018

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