Nature forms the foundation of economic growth, providing essential services such as climate regulation, flood prevention, agricultural productivity, and human health support. Despite their critical importance, these services have historically been absent from national accounting systems. However, a shift is occurring as countries increasingly measure and value nature’s contributions through natural capital accounting (NCA), with Africa emerging as a leader in this transformative approach, supported by the World Bank’s Global Program on Sustainability (GPS).
Ethiopia has made significant strides in integrating natural capital into its development strategy. With renewable natural capital representing 28% of national wealth, the country uses NCA to guide climate resilience and sustainable land management. Initiatives like the Climate Action through Landscape Management (CALM) project and the Ethiopia Strategic Investment Framework have developed land cover and ecosystem service accounts, while an Investment Prioritization Tool helps inform land-use decisions. The Ministry of Planning and Development is working to embed these accounts into Ethiopia’s ten-year development plan, ensuring nature-informed decision-making shapes the country’s economic trajectory.
Rwanda has positioned itself as a continental leader in NCA by compiling extensive land, water, and mineral accounts and integrating biodiversity and ecosystem data into national statistics. Hosting the 7th Global Policy Forum on Natural Capital in 2024, Rwanda highlighted its use of NCA to support green growth, sustainable investment, and nature-based tourism. The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda has embedded natural capital into its System of National Accounts, enabling the government to make strategic, data-driven decisions. These efforts have translated into tangible outcomes, including record tourism revenues and employment growth in 2024.
Uganda has adopted a holistic approach, developing accounts for water, forests, and ecosystem services, while integrating natural capital into macroeconomic frameworks and national policies. Through its Third National Development Plan and the Country Climate and Development Report, Uganda incorporates environmental data into economic assessments. Tools such as the Rapid Environmental Economic Assessment and UGAMOD, a macroeconomic model tailored to environmental metrics, help policymakers evaluate trade-offs, prioritize sustainable investments, and design resilient development strategies that look beyond GDP.
Zambia has long been a pioneer in NCA, developing accounts for forestry, water, land, and ecosystems. These accounts directly inform the Ninth National Development Plan and the design of TRALARD II, a World Bank-backed climate-resilient landscape investment. Integrated Economic-Environmental Modeling (IEEM) demonstrates how targeted investments in agriculture, forestry, and land use can boost GDP, increase national wealth, lift thousands out of poverty, and reduce CO₂ emissions. Wildlife Protected Area Accounts also support Zambia’s thriving nature-based tourism, which contributes up to 6% of GDP and half a million jobs. Institutional coordination and capacity-building efforts in Zambia are laying the foundation for long-term integration of natural capital into policy and planning.
The growing interest in Africa’s natural wealth, combined with visionary leadership, is driving the adoption and expansion of NCA across the continent. By valuing natural assets, countries are not only promoting environmental stewardship but also redefining economic prosperity. Partnerships with programs like GPS facilitate knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the scaling of successful NCA practices. Looking forward, Africa’s leadership offers a global blueprint for sustainable and resilient development, ensuring that natural capital is recognized as a core economic asset and a driver of inclusive prosperity.
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