African leaders want continent’s natural assets worth trillions of dollars to be part of measuring GDP of countries
COP 29: Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (left) shares a word with President Paul Kagame
At the COP29 in Baku, African leaders called for the inclusion of the continent’s natural capital in GDP measurements, emphasizing the vital role of Africa’s forests in global environmental services such as carbon sequestration and pollution control.
The high-level meeting, led by Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso, Kenya’s President William Ruto, and the African Development Bank’s Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, focused on valuing Africa’s green wealth to unlock financial investments.
Leaders argued that integrating natural capital could boost economies and improve credit ratings.
The African Development Bank’s report highlights that Africa’s natural capital is worth significantly more than its GDP, and leaders warned against the underpricing of carbon credits, stressing the need for fair compensation for Africa’s environmental contributions.
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