Economic growth must be priority

There is no avoiding the reality that economic growth for the most vulnerable countries in the world, including Kenya, is non-negotiable. This is because in this age of devastating climate impacts we cannot adapt against poverty.

Economic growth is an essential lifeline for navigating through the upheaval into a secure future for present and future generations. The choice we face now is how we transform and grow our economies sustainably for shared prosperity.

Last week I shared a vision of what inclusive transformation entails, and the importance of green industrialisation in achieving it. Unlocking Africa's abundant resources in renewable energy, the youth workforce, and critical minerals, is a profound responsibility for those in power. This is because it is the most opportune pathway for us to achieve our climate and development goals. To advance the agenda effectively, governments and investors should urgently prioritise this.

In all the work I do today, one thing is abundantly clear: sustainable economic growth for our country and continent is a prerequisite for our survival. I find that one of the best ways to understand the journey to fair and equitable economic transformation is to see what it actually takes to create and successfully run a business through the eyes of someone who is in it.

Meet Cecilia, an entrepreneur who accidentally became a bamboo farmer. 

In 2018, Kenya imposed a moratorium on logging due to rampant illegal logging and forest destruction, aiming to protect our dwindling forest cover. For Cecilia, who ran a small successful business, manufacturing furniture for Nairobi’s growing middle class and had prioritised “Made in Kenya” products, this ban put her business in jeopardy of shutting down and putting her employees out of work.

Unlocking new opportunities

With her supply chain crippled, she stood at a crossroads. She had invested and equipped her factory with cutting edge equipment, hired and trained skilled workers, and invested in marketing and building her brand. 

For the business to survive, she would have to secure a steady and sustainable supply of raw materials from a reliable source at an affordable cost. What options did she have?

In a moment of inspiration, she considered bamboo. Could this be the answer to unlocking new opportunities?

Many of us know that bamboo is widely touted around the world as a miracle plant. This remarkable grass grows rapidly, reaching maturity in just a few years. In Kenya we have multiple indigenous varieties growing in our forests with significant ecological benefits: bamboo absorbs toxins from the air and soil, it restores degraded landscapes, is biodegradable, and is a more sustainable charcoal substitute.

Bamboo’s versatility is amazing. It can be transformed into everything from sustainable construction materials, bio-degradable utensils, and eco-friendly textiles. Finally and critically, beyond its practical uses, bamboo plays a vital role in fighting climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, making it a champion for environmental sustainability.

As if its eco-credentials were not enough, the bamboo industry is an existing viable and profitable sector.

Green industrialisation agenda

The global bamboo product market in 2019 was valued at US$72 billion and is expected to grow to US$98 billion by 2027. In 2018 alone, Kenya imported US$30 million worth of bamboo furniture and 95 metric tons of toothpicks (that is almost the weight of a Boeing 757-200!)

These numbers are astonishing. So, what would it take to create a viable bamboo sector that is local, sustainable and inclusive?
Given the existing local demand for bamboo, why don’t we already have a vibrant bamboo sector? And what policies need to be implemented to incentivise the growth of this exciting value chain? We will learn more in the coming weeks.

We can ask similar questions about multiple sectors and industries because each one has its own ecosystem, where a business can either emerge, survive and thrive, or choke and fail.

Developing our economies, creating quality jobs at home, and lifting people out of poverty must be each country’s national priority. Africa’s green industrialisation agenda needs to be at the heart of Africa’s transformation. It is about elevating our economies while also economically empowering communities, ensuring prosperity is equitably shared, and benefits both people and our environment, now and for generations to come. 

Ms Mathai is the MD for Africa & Global Partnerships at the World Resources Institute and Chair of the Wangari Maathai Foundation