The continent of Africa is rapidly evolving. And as per the African Development Bank, 20 African countries have increased their business regulatory performance since 2005, putting them among the top 50 in the world. The African population is expected to exceed 2.4 billion by 2050, with an expected 350 million people living in cities by 2030.
This rapid pace of change creates both difficulties and incentives. Climate change would bring additional food, health, and resources for economic instability to a continent already struggling with these challenges unless a transition to renewable energy follows development.
The development of jobs and the reduction of poverty are also critical for the country. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Africa’s youth account for 35 percent of the working-age population but 60 percent of the overall unemployed. Furthermore, those who are working find themselves in precarious positions. All of this occurs in a country where the percentage of people making ends meet on less than $1.25 per day surpassed 40% in 2015.
The good news is that rapid growth can also mean rapid transformation. Sustainable development is an excellent tool for facilitating growth while also addressing climate change, job creation, and poverty reduction. The benefits of green construction are not going unnoticed, which is motivating. Countries across Africa are taking significant steps toward a large-scale, long-term adaptation of how buildings and settlements are constructed.
Leaders and marketers realize the importance that green construction can have for future generations, whether by policy or market-based initiatives:
- Enhancing economic development and stability
- Assisting in poverty alleviation
- Growing access to sustainable and affordable energy and clean water
However, there are still significant obstacles to overcome. Despite the somewhat plentiful availability of local, sustainable resources, these are regularly named as a lack of public knowledge, a shortage of qualified professionals who can design and produce sustainable infrastructure, and a scarcity of local goods across the continent.