Inland Navigation: Pathway for Sustainable Urbanisation and Industrialisation in Africa

Transformative Influence of Inland Navigation on Urbanization and Industrialization in Africa

Presented at the 35th PIANC World Congress – 29th April to 3rd May 2024, Cape Town, South Africa

ABSTRACT

This report discusses the transformative influence of inland navigation on urbanization and industrialization in Africa, with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Africa, blessed with vast and well-connected water bodies, has often neglected its rivers and lakes in favor of land-based transport infrastructure. This has resulted in chronic mobility and developmental issues in urban settlements. However, experiences from other regions suggest that inland navigation is a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly form of transport that can promote trade, social cohesion, and sustainable urban settlements. This report analyzes the nature of inland water transportation in Africa, examines existing cooperative agreements on inland navigation, identifies factors impacting its development, and explores ways it can influence sustainable urbanization and industrialization in Africa.

Keywords

• inland navigation
• water transportation
• trans-boundary river agreements
• sustainable urbanization
• integrated urban water management

BACKGROUND

Africa is blessed with long and expansive waterways, including 38 coastal countries and over 60 trans-boundary river basins covering 64% of the continent’s land area. However, settlements across the continent continue to face mobility and developmental challenges. Despite 70% of major cities and national capitals being located along or by a waterfront, these areas often lack basic social amenities and economic opportunities. This is in stark contrast to coastal settlements in Asia and Europe, which enjoy easy access to domestic and foreign markets. The under-performance of Africa’s inland waterways can be attributed to historical and institutional neglect. During colonization, European rulers focused on exploiting the continent’s resources and invested primarily in rail infrastructure. After independence, national governments did little to improve the waterways. City planners turned their backs on the waterways and prioritized road networks. Today, roads dominate transportation in Africa, leading to low reliability and congestion issues.

Africa is urbanizing rapidly, but emerging cities often lack basic amenities, economic opportunities, and face environmental pressures. To address these challenges, Africa must harness its rivers and waterways to transform urban slums into livable modern cities.

NATURE OF INLAND NAVIGATION IN AFRICA

In Africa, the river system is populated by wooden boats powered by motor engines. These boats receive little investment and attention from authorities, operate from unsafe and inefficient facilities, and are manned by non-certified personnel. Many communities along the rivers are difficult to reach for the supply of essential goods. Residents rely on dugout canoes for transportation, which are not integrated into the dominant land-centered transport network. Neglecting these river communities has led to poverty, insecurity, and transnational crimes such as armed robbery, piracy, and smuggling.

Cooperative Agreements

African countries have promoted several legal instruments on maritime transport, trade, and trans-boundary rivers for the economic development of the continent. Many rivers and lakes in Africa traverse multiple countries, leading to agreements on cooperative use. For example, there are 15 agreements for the Nile basin, 6 for the Senegal River basin, 10 for the Niger River basin, and 3 for the Volta River basin. These agreements mainly focus on dam building for hydropower and irrigation.

The African Maritime Transport Charter, adopted in 1994 and revised in 2010, is the main continental cooperative agreement on maritime transport. However, its implementation has been limited. The charter aims to strengthen cooperation among African countries in inland and ocean transport, promote trade, and support industrialization. It emphasizes the importance of cooperation, harmonization of policies, and the development of national and regional shipping lines. The charter also addresses maritime safety, security, and the protection of the marine environment.

Another supportive agreement is the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services. The AfCFTA increases the demand for inland and maritime shipping services.

DISCUSSION

Transportation plays a crucial role in urbanization and urban form. Efficient transportation systems enable access to resources, goods, and services, making settlements livable and sustainable. Waterborne infrastructure brings benefits beyond transport, such as flood reduction, hydroelectric power generation, agricultural irrigation, and leisure activities. Integrating water resources into urban planning can lead to economic growth, improved quality of life, and environmental sustainability.

CONCLUSION

Water transportation accelerates economic development, lowers costs, supports urbanization, and inflicts less damage on the environment compared to other transport modes. Africa’s neglect of its river systems has hindered intra-African trade and urban development. To harness the potential of inland navigation, Africa must activate the revised African Maritime Transport Charter and establish a dedicated body for the rapid development of navigation infrastructure. Integrated urban water management concepts should be adopted to ensure sustainable urbanization and industrialization. By prioritizing water resources, Africa can transform its urban slums into livable, modern cities.

REFERENCES

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 14: Life Below Water
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.
• SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
• SDG 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Investment in water transport infrastructure
• Percentage of major cities and national capitals located along or by a waterfront
• Percentage of major cities with access to both domestic and foreign markets
• Percentage of major cities lacking basic social amenities
• Percentage of goods transported on inland waterways
• Number of cooperative agreements on inland navigation
• Percentage of Member States that have ratified and deposited maritime transport agreements
• Percentage increase in agriculture income and commercial land value due to inland waterways
• Percentage reduction in operating and logistics costs due to inland waterways
• Percentage increase in land and urban development due to inland waterways

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

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Fuente: onepageafrica.com

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