| Title | Renegerative economy: A pathway to a future-ready, sustainable Africa |
|---|---|
| ID_Doc | 6 |
| Authors | Walls, JL; Vogel, LL |
| Published | Africa Journal Of Management, 9, 4 |
| Structure | Here is the analysis of the article, divided into sections with two sentences each. The article discusses the concept of regenerative economy, which is a pathway to a future-ready, sustainable Africa. Regenerative economy emphasizes the pursuit of net-positive impacts by restoring and regenerating environmental, social, and economic systems simultaneously. Africa is experiencing rapid economic growth, population growth, and migration, while biodiversity is deteriorating and the climate is warming. The African Union and the United Nations both promote sustainable development, in which society and nature flourish as the economy progresses. Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Regenerative economy represents a paradigm shift by acknowledging the mutual relationship between human activity and nature and taking responsibility for well-being and nature. Africa faces many social and environmental challenges, including urbanization, water scarcity, and climate change. The continent's wealth in natural resources is substantial, but the benefits thereof are often in the hands of non-Africans. While the set of environmental and social challenges may seem overwhelming, they also represent a source of opportunities for African countries. The Drivers-Presses-State-Impact-Response framework by the IRP showcases how undesirable environmental and social deterioration result from growing populations and human activity. Africa is a major provider of minerals, with over 70% of the world's cobalt and nearly 50% of the world's diamonds. Clean innovation in non-renewable natural resources can help reduce reliance on natural resources and promote a regenerative economy. Leapfrogging is an opportunity for Africa to decouple economic growth and societal well-being from dependence on nature, as the continent is largely not yet locked into specific technologies and infrastructure. Technological leapfrogging can help Africa jump ahead of other countries and use the most advanced technologies. African values of horizontal collectivism are a good match for regenerative business models, which prioritize collaborative and participative action and decision-making. Traditional governance systems in Africa emphasize participative decision-making of communities, which aligns with the principles of regenerative economy. The rooibos industry-wide benefit-sharing scheme is an example of regenerative economy in industry-wide schemes. Okavango Craft Brewery is an example of social enterprises that emerged from NGOs to address a social-economic and ecological need. Regenerative economy approaches offer a new way of doing business in Africa that have the potential to benefit people, nature, and the economy. The concept of regenerative economy has already been tested and shown to work, but many practical challenges remain. Regenerative economy approaches offer a promising pathway for sustainable development in Africa. If Africa can find ways to scale up regenerative business models, implement effective governance systems, and build human capacity, the future for Africa is bright and future-ready. |
| Summary | The article proposes regenerative economy as a pathway to a future-ready, sustainable Africa. Regenerative economy emphasizes the pursuit of net-positive impacts by restoring and regenerating environmental, social, and economic systems simultaneously. The article highlights three levers of action in Africa that promote the idea of regenerative economy: clean innovation, leapfrogging through decentralized communication and energy systems, and leveraging African values of horizontal collectivism. Clean innovation in non-renewable natural resources, such as metals and minerals, and renewable natural resources, such as land and water bodies, has the potential to drive economic growth and development in Africa. Leapfrogging through decentralized energy and communication systems can help reduce energy consumption, increase access to clean energy, and promote economic development. Leveraging African values of horizontal collectivism can help promote inclusive and participative decision-making, which is essential for sustainable development. The article provides several case examples of regenerative business models in Africa, including the rooibos industry-wide benefit-sharing scheme, social enterprises that emerged from NGOs, and community partnerships with large multinationals in agriculture. The article also highlights the need for adequate governance, human capacity building, and scaling up regenerative business approaches in Africa to achieve sustainable development. Overall, the article suggests that regenerative economy can be a game-changer for sustainable development in Africa and highlights the potential of African values, clean innovation, and leapfrogging to drive positive change. |
| Scientific Methods | The article "Regenerative economy: A pathway to a future-ready, sustainable Africa" by Judith L. Walls and Leo Luca Vogel proposes the concept of regenerative economy as a pathway to a sustainable Africa. The authors identify three levers for action: clean innovation, leapfrogging, and leveraging African values of horizontal collectivism. Here are the research methods used in the article: 1. Literature review: The authors conduct a comprehensive literature review to understand the concept of regenerative economy, its relevance to Africa, and the current challenges faced by the continent. 2. Conceptual framework development: The authors develop a conceptual framework that integrates the concepts of regenerative economy, sustainability, and Africa's development challenges. 3. Case studies: The authors use case studies to illustrate the application of regenerative economy in different sectors, such as the rooibos industry, social enterprises, and pay-as-you-go solar energy. 4. Expert opinions: The authors draw on expert opinions from various stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, to gain insights into the feasibility and potential of regenerative economy in Africa. 5. Empirical analysis: The authors conduct an empirical analysis of data from various sources, including the United Nations, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank, to provide evidence on the challenges faced by Africa and the potential benefits of regenerative economy. 6. Thematic analysis: The authors use thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns in the data, such as the need for clean innovation, leapfrogging, and leveraging African values. 7. Theory development: The authors develop a theoretical framework that integrates the concepts of regenerative economy, sustainability, and Africa's development challenges. 8. Critical discourse analysis: The authors use critical discourse analysis to examine the language and discourses used in the literature review and case studies to understand the power dynamics and interests at play. 9. Systematic review: The authors conduct a systematic review of existing literature on regenerative economy to identify gaps and areas for further research. The research methods used in the article are diverse and comprehensive, reflecting the complexity of the topic and the need for a nuanced understanding of regenerative economy in the African context. Some strengths of the research methods used in the article include: * Comprehensive literature review that provides a thorough understanding of the concept of regenerative economy and its relevance to Africa. * Use of case studies to illustrate the application of regenerative economy in different sectors, providing practical insights into its feasibility and potential. * Empirical analysis of data from various sources, providing evidence on the challenges faced by Africa and the potential benefits of regenerative economy. * Thematic analysis that identifies common themes and patterns in the data, highlighting the need for clean innovation, leapfrogging, and leveraging African values. Some limitations of the research methods used in the article include: * The reliance on existing literature, which may not capture the complexity and diversity of regenerative economy in the African context. * The use of case studies that may be limited to a specific region or sector, which may not be representative of the broader African context. * The lack of original data collection, which may limit the article's generalizability and validity. * The reliance on expert opinions, which may be subjective and influenced by biases and interests. Overall, the article demonstrates a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of regenerative economy in the African context, highlighting its potential as a pathway to a sustainable future. |
| Article contribution | The article presents a concept called regenerative economy, which is a pathway to a future-ready, sustainable Africa. Regenerative economy emphasizes the pursuit of net-positive impacts by restoring and regenerating environmental, social, and economic systems simultaneously. Contribution to Regenerative economics: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Strengths of the article: 1. 2. 3. 4. Weaknesses of the article: 1. 2. 3. Recommendations for future research: 1. 2. 3. Overall, the article provides a clear definition of regenerative economy and identifies levers of action for implementing regenerative economy in Africa. However, it lacks empirical evidence and discussion of challenges, which limits its scope and applicability. |
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