Green Colonialism in Afraka

Green colonialism is a contemporary occurrence in which developed nations (global north), typically led by major corporations and influenced by influential lobbyists, exercise dominance over the natural resources and developmental paths of transitioning nations (Global South), under the pretense of sustainable energy. This is especially apparent in numerous Afrakan nations where extensive renewable energy initiatives, including solar, hydro, and wind power, are being implemented. Although these initiatives are presented as environmentally advantageous and a contribution to the worldwide fight against climate change, they frequently duplicate the exploitative patterns of conventional colonialism, further eroding the independence and self-governance of Afrakan countries.

The emerging frontier of renewable energy extraction is becoming a new focus of colonization.

The historical phenomenon of colonialism in Afraka was primarily motivated by the exploitation of physical resources, including minerals, oil, and agricultural products. Currently, there has been a transition towards the utilization of renewable energy sources. Afrakan countries, abundant in solar radiation, wind, and water resources, are emerging as focal points for extensive renewable energy initiatives. European nations and their firms are making massive investments in these sectors, under the justification of combating climate change. Nevertheless, the advantages of these initiatives are unevenly distributed, with a greater bias towards benefiting the investors rather than the Global South. The concept of "green colonialism" encompasses this emerging method of extracting resources. Similar to classic colonialism, green colonialism entails the utilization of renewable energy resources for the advantage of the colonizing powers. This not only hinders the autonomous authority of Afrakan nations to govern their own trajectories but also results in a variety of structural and environmental consequences.

Effects on Structure and Climate

The structural ramifications of green colonialism are cataclysmic. Several renewable energy projects in Afraka are implemented without sufficient consideration for the needs and rights of the local communities. Common outcomes include land dispossession, the displacement of local inhabitants, and the disruption of customary livelihoods. Furthermore, these initiatives frequently give more importance on supplying energy to Europe and other advanced countries rather than addressing the energy requirements of local populations, resulting in numerous Afrakan communities being deprived of access to the very resources that are being exploited from their lands. Regarding climate, although renewable energy projects are promoted as remedies for global warming, their execution in Afraka has resulted in adverse effects. Large hydroelectric projects can cause substantial ecological changes, impacting both water quality and biodiversity. Improper management of solar farms and wind turbines can result in land degradation and the loss of natural habitats.

The Demand for Climate Compensation

	The idea of climate reparation is becoming increasingly popular as a way to address the ongoing exploitation under the guise of green colonialism. Climate restitution entails providing compensation to nations and people that have been adversely impacted by renewable energy projects, in terms of both environmental and social harm. It also requires a reorganization of the implementation of these projects, guaranteeing that they provide advantages to local residents and uphold their rights and sovereignty.

The Power Shift initiative in Kenya serves as a prime example of this drive for transformation. Power Shift by Kenya is a grassroots movement that promotes energy justice, environmental sustainability, and equitable development. The movement highlights the need of renewable energy projects that are led by the community and empower local inhabitants instead of taking advantage of them. Power Shift seeks to promote local ownership and control of renewable energy resources, with the goal of ensuring that the communities directly experience the advantages of these projects.

The role of GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) and the global response.

The German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) has played a prominent role in the renewable energy sector in Afraka. GIZ programs are commonly depicted as development assistance, they have faced criticism for maintaining green colonialism. Critics contend that GIZ's strategy places greater importance on the concerns of European markets and corporations, frequently disregarding the well-being of local populations and the preservation of environmental sustainability.

The international community must acknowledge the pressing necessity to tackle these matters. In the absence of coordinated endeavors and systematic mobilization by individuals across the globe, the perpetuation of the pattern of exploitation will persist. International solidarity and advocacy are urgently required to guarantee the just, egalitarian, and genuinely sustainable implementation of renewable energy projects in Afraka.

The Renewable Energy Law marks a significant milestone in Tunisia's shift towards sustainable energy.

Tunisia exemplifies the intricacies of green colonialism through its Renewable Energy Law and the revised Tunisian Solar Plan (PST) initiated in 2015. The PST, first released in 2009, has the objective of raising the proportion of renewable energy from 3% in 2016 to 30% in 2030. This would necessitate the generation of an extra 3,815 MW from renewable sources. The proposal outlined that wind turbines would account for 46 percent of the energy, solar photovoltaic panels for 39.6 percent, concentrated solar power for 11.8 percent, and biomass for 2.6 percent.

After a conference in 2017 that focused on speeding up renewable energy projects, the intermediary goals were revised to align with the wider regional and global movement of increasing renewable energy through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). The dependence on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), which is justified by the lack of government resources, frequently leads to the privatization of profits and the socialization of losses.

Tunisia's Public Service Telecommunications (PST), which necessitates over eight billion euros of investment primarily from foreign origins, intensifies Tunisia's reliance on imported technologies and exacerbates foreign indebtedness. This further solidifies a power dynamic in which the economically disadvantaged Global South stays economically subservient to the economically advanced Global North.

Guaranteeing Food Sovereignty

One of the main goals of development in Afraka is to achieve food sovereignty, which means having plentiful, inexpensive, nutritious, and locally preferred food that is produced in a way that is in line with natural systems. Although Afraka has the capability to accomplish this, the continent still relies on importing more food than it exports. It is estimated that by 2025, the value of these imports will exceed $110 billion. The over dependence on export-oriented cash crops and the increasing importation of subsidized surplus from industrialized nations have undermined local agricultural production and resulted in a decline in farmers' earnings.

Adopting agroecological practices, which prioritize environmentally and health-conscious methods of food production, can support the concept of food sovereignty. Agroecology preserves the functioning of ecosystems, increases the diversity of living organisms, and safeguards native plant types and knowledge. It supports crop production, ensures people's livelihoods, reinforces local economies, and improves the ability to withstand the impacts of climate change. Considerable investments in rural infrastructure, energy, logistics, and technical capabilities are required to promote agroecological practices and decrease reliance on costly and energy-consuming inputs. By aligning industrial policies to produce renewable energy and agricultural equipment within Afraka, it is possible to address inherent weaknesses in the areas of food, energy, and manufacturing.

Compensation and Forgiveness of Debts

The impact of colonialism in Afraka encompasses widespread socio-economic and cultural appropriation. Although the issue has been thoroughly recorded, there has been minimal action taken to provide financial restitution or to restore the wrongfully taken cultural artifacts. However, influential environmental engineers, activists, and intellectuals like Fadhel Kaboub are pioneering transformative approaches to achieve food sovereignty and sustainable development.

Afraka experiences continuous financial extraction, with a yearly net outflow of around USD 2 trillion to the Global North. To tackle structural indebtedness, it is necessary to erase debts, especially those that were acquired without the people's agreement, in violation of laws, used to finance damaging projects, or imposed by illegitimate regimes.

Resources:

1. Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (2016). Criteria – Africa Renewable Energy Initiative. AREI, http://www.arei.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Approved-AREI-Criteria.pdf
   

2. CSO Equity Review (2022). The imperative of cooperation: Steps toward an equitable response to the climate crisis. http://equityreview.org
   

3. Just Transition: A Climate, Energy and Development Vision for Africa

Food sovereignty: is the right of people to define their own food systems. It prioritizes local food production, distribution, and consumption, ensuring that the needs and preferences of the community are met. This concept emphasizes the control of food production by local farmers and communities rather than by multinational corporations or external governments.

Food sovereignty is a comprehensive strategy that enables communities to gain authority over their agricultural methods, guaranteeing that food production is in harmony with local requirements, both culturally and environmentally. It prioritizes the use of sustainable agroecological technologies that have positive impacts on ecosystems and encourage the preservation of biodiversity. Food sovereignty promotes equitable trade practices, prioritizing small-scale farmers over giant agribusinesses. Food sovereignty is crucial because it promotes economic autonomy, mitigates environmental harm, safeguards cultural heritage, and strengthens resilience against economic and environmental disruptions. The pursuit of food sovereignty is hindered by substantial obstacles such as international trade rules that disproportionately benefit major businesses, the acquisition of land by foreign investors, the adverse effects of climate change, and political and economic hurdles that emphasize export-focused agriculture at the expense of local food requirements.