Africa must avoid "grow now, clean up later" path, UN

Africa should not follow the same "grow now, clean up later" development path taken by industrialised countries, the report warns. "Africa faces a dilemma," said Unctad economist Janvier Nkurunziza, "The continent needs to use its natural resources for economic growth and transformation but the process could be dangerous for the environment."

Nkurunziza said there was a need to decouple the link between growth and use of natural resources. Focus should be placed on efficient, sustainable resource use in energy, industry and agriculture. Expanding the use of organic agriculture has also proved to be a sustainable way of increasing harvests, bringing higher prices to farms and keeping rural populations engaged in farming rather than joining the migration to Africa's cities. The process will require significant support from the international community and developed countries will have to increase their financial assistance to Africa, Business Day reports.

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