Page 231 - Volume 2_CHANGES_merged_with links

Obstacles to progress

Realities

A report by the World Commission on Dams in 2000, commissioned by the World Bank,

highlighted the social and environmental damage that was being caused by large dams.
Between 40 million and 80 million people worldwide have been displaced by dams, said the

report. Some believe that figure could be much higher if you take into account the effects
beyond immediate displacement - such as access to land for agriculture and fishing. “
"Are Too Many Hydropower Dams Being Built?" 290
BBC News
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Nothing sums up better the vast gap that separates African countries from the m'zuŋ u
living in a developed world.
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The m'zuŋ u has the luxury of being able to focus on global environmental concerns.
African leaders, boxed in by unequal trade and the illicit finance flows, and robbed of what
institutions call 'policy space' can only see the benefits of having robust supplies of domestically

produced electricity.
As you will see below, lack of access to electricity is a still a major problem across Africa.
This creates an enormous barrier that makes it difficult for African countries to build up a

manufacturing base.
(And manufacturing, which adds value to locally grown commodities, leads to higher incomes,
higher tax revenues and much more - in short, it is a major element in an overall economic
development strategy)

What makes it worse is that African governments, faced with short-term cash flow
crises, feel they have no choice but to sell some of their countries electricity to a

neighbouring country. This is what drives the issue of rolling power cuts. The loss of

electricity does harm your own country, your own country's manufacturing capacity, but a
'flick of a switch' can bring you significant amounts of foreign currency in a way no other

tactic can.

But of course it also deters, delays foreign companies from establishing
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manufacturing units in African countries. Unless, of course as a m'zuŋ u business, you
can insist on an agreement with the various government agencies that will guarantee you
your electric supply - even whilst others around you are experiencing a blackout.

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(But of course giving priority to m'zuŋ u owned businesses simply further disadvantages
domestic producers and residents)
It’s ridiculous to believe that African political leaders are reluctant to electrify their
countries. One of the explanations often given for why a dictator like Sadaam Hussain of