Although Africa’s exports at the global level are very small at about 2%, the concentration of the exports in the extraction sector is cause for concern on the environment. It means that the more Africa is integrated into the global economy the more the consequences for extraction activities on the environment will become pronounced, unless mitigating measures are taken. In addition, multinational businesses are quickly realising the existence of less strenuous environmental standards in most of the African countries, which themselves are desperately seeking for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). As a result, these businesses are rushing to invest in these economies and realise profits but may never be available to attend to the possible redress of negative effects their business activities leave on the environment. In this respect, as African policy makers and other stakeholders pursue economic growth, it is important to appreciate the benefits presented by the natural ecosystems and diverse forms of wildlife and other species. Despite the economic benefits of constructing roads, mining areas, and farming blocks, there exists a real threat of the destruction of large areas of natural habitats. The emergence of industries and the effect of urbanisation in Africa, has largely contributed towards increased air pollution in many towns and cities. The incidence of smog and respiratory diseases in these areas has increased (UNEP, 2003), and is set to continue this trend in the foreseeable future. Africa does not contribute significantly to the emission of pollutants arising mainly from combustion in complex chemical processes of industries.

In this paper, I attempt to examine the interrelationships between environmental growth and sustainable economic growth from the African perspective. The paper is organised as follows; section 2 examines the current economic disposition of Africa, and attempts to determine its relationship with environmental developments. Prominence is given to the components that affect environmental sustainability, namely (i) pollution and (ii) degradation. The latter will prove to present a relatively high risk to environmental sustainability in Africa. Section 3 presents a further analysis on the effects of the environment on economic growth, and that of economic growth on the environment. Section 4 tackles issues of Africa in the world economy and its environmental prospects. Section 5 provides current solutions aimed at mitigating and/ or reducing the various negative externalities related to environmental pollution and degradation such as national, regional, and international environmental management policies. Recommendations that are considered necessary to foster environmental friendly economic development are also given as input for further improvements in environmental management in Africa. 2. Economic disposition of Africa  With an estimated total population of 835,479 thousand people representing 13% of the world’s estimated 6,395, 557 thousand people,1 and spanning the 53 countries of Africa, the continent faces numerous challenges predominantly on the economic, social, and political fronts. Despite these difficulties, Africa recorded a growth rate of 3.6% in 2003, an increase from 2.7% recorded in 2002. The increasing trend in economic growth is expected to continue into 2004 [African Development Bank (AfDB), 2003].