Bootleggers And Baptists: African Governments On Energy And Climate Change

On global issues related to energy and the environment, Africa has been much in the news in the past year. Last year, Egypt hosted the UN climate summit (COP27) in November. This was followed by Africa Climate Week in Nairobi, Kenya last month, and now, during 16^th to 20^th October, Cape Town, South Africa is hosting Africa Energy Week.

It is not possible to generalize across the vast continent, of course. But some facts stand out. Africa is the world’s second largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both aspects. Unlike Asia, Africa remains largely mired in poverty and much of the population has limited access to energy. Poverty and poor access to energy, one suspects, are not just coincidences but reflective of a more general malaise. But what are its governments doing about it? Is there an “African” negotiating position in international forums on energy and climate issues?