| Often dubbed as the 'next growth frontier', Africa is in the midst of a resurgence-strengthened democratic processes and a surge in foreign investment has led to rapid and transformative economic growth in the last decade. Six of the top 10 fastest growing economies are in Africa. With the fastest growing youth population in the world, and considerable natural resources and human capital at its disposal, Africa poised to be a significant growth pole in the global economy. |
| India has had a similarly remarkable growth story. With a consistent GDP growth of seven percent, India is on its way to becoming a five-trillion dollar economy. Its rapid economic expansion has allowed it become a key regional and global power. |
| Vulnerabilities of India & Africa: |
| Even as both, India and Africa have made considerable strides, the way these geographies navigate their development agenda in the coming decades will prove to be critical. They will remain the fastest growing regions in the world, but will also be the most vulnerable to climate change. This vulnerability is compounded by the energy needs required by both to sustain their growth trajectories. |
| India, for one, despite making serious headway into solar energy, remains heavily dependent on conventional sources for its energy needs and is the worlds fourth largest carbon emitter. In Africa, energy poverty costs the continent two to four GDP percentage points per year, and electricity demands are expected to triple by 2030. |
| Partnership for Sustainability: |
| The commitment to climate action is reflected in Indias SDG commitments and Africa's Agenda 2063, which envisions "a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development". |
| Thus, the intersection between common developmental goals, and the need for a low-carbon transition creates avenues- for a multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder partnership that will be critical in determining the future of not only these two geographies, but of global growth and development itself. |
| It is within this context that the India and Africa Partnership for Sustainability was hosted on the sidelines of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) on 15 March 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya. |
| Solar Alliance: |
| The India-Africa relationship has grown exponentially in the last decade. India is Africa's fourth largest trading partner with 21 percent of Indian foreign investment directed to the continent between 2008 and 2016. India has also increased its visibility in recent years through high-level visits, increased diplomatic ties, and the creation of education and skill development schemes such as the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme. |
| Perhaps the most prominent sustainable development partnership between the two regions is reflected through the International Solar Alliance (ISA), an initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP21 in 2015, for the "massive deployment of affordable solar energy". |
| Through the ISA, India has pledged a concessional credit line of US2 billion to Africa over five years for the implementation of off-grid solar energy projects. The ISA has also partnered with the African Development Bank to develop 10,000 MW of solar power systems across the Sahel, which aims to provide electricity to approximately half of the 600 million Africans who remain off-grid. |
A) Fastest growing economies with vulnerability to climate change
B) Fastest growing economies
C) Vulnerability to climate change
D) Natural resources and vulnerability to climate change
Correct Answer: A
Solution :
(a) They will remain the fastest growing regions in the world, but will also be the most vulnerable to climate change. This vulnerability is compounded by the energy needs required by both to sustain their growth trajectories.
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