Managing Africa’s Natural Capital for Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction

This document is a presentation for the 15th regular session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (Cairo, March 2015). It clarifies “natural capital,” shows its economic role, and frames discussion on financing sustainable development. Natural capital is defined as natural resources and ecosystem services valued, including costs of pollution, waste, depletion, and degradation. It links natural capital to growth in mining, oil and gas, fisheries, forestry, and tourism, citing figures on GDP, exports, jobs, and revenue. It flags illicit financial flows and illegal trade as threats, and asks how to mobilize resources, use development assistance, and stem losses.