Africa has the youngest, fastest-growing population of any continent. This is reflected in the innovative strength emanating from many African nations: young scientists in particular are being supported and are developing creative, climate-friendly strategies that have the potential to solve global problems.
At the same time, many African countries face immense challenges: political crises, wars, population growth and climate change. Solutions are being developed on a local level. In Kenya, for example, a team of young scientists has succeeded in using new technologies to reduce the price of animal feed production. Mobile communication solutions from Nairobi deliver knowledge and education in indigenous languages to the remotest regions of East Africa. Kenya and Uganda are already supplied with more than 90 per cent renewable energy. A young Afro-German entrepreneur in Kampala is taking advantage of this - he wants to expand e-mobility in private transport. The municipal healthcare system in Accra, Ghana, is already working with artificial intelligence developed in Africa.
However, climate change caused by industrialized nations in the northern hemisphere poses a particular threat to Africa. Of the almost 1.5 billion Africans from 54 countries, as many as 117 million people could be at risk from rising sea levels in 2030.
By 2100, Africa’s total population could be around 3.8 billion. One solution under consideration is to build a floating city in Lagos, Nigeria, that can adapt to the consequences of climate change.