The total population of Africa is projected to reach 1,941 million by the year 2050, from approximately 885 million in 2004 (Ashford, 2004). According to statistics collected by UN-Habitat 2002 and UN 2002, they indicate that out of a world total of 923,986 thousand urban slum dwellers, 869,918 thousand (94.1%) were from developing countries, with Africa accounting for 187,563 thousand or 20% (UNDP, 2003). It is important for local governments to ensure adequate planning policies in order to accommodate the predicted rising population. Local governments must also ensure the implementation of effective policies meant to regulate the activities arising from globalisation on the African economy such as the expansion in the number of urban industries, and the need for land for cultivating commercial crops, as well as to support the need for increased areas of subsistence farming. Another fundamental aspect that needs urgent attention is the issue of collecting more accurate data on environmental pollution and degradation and related statistics on the environment. Items such as farming methods employed, the pace of clearing of land for settlements, and charcoal burning, are presently not included in existing statistics. Appropriate measurements will provide a more precise indicator of the weight and quantitative value of negative environmental externalities on economic development in Africa. Chinese policy makers have now adopted the use of “green GDP” (The Economist, August 21st 2004), which takes into account the environmental costs on economic development.

Although only 26% of the oil produced in Africa was used locally in 2003, energy consumption increased by 44% in Northern African countries (ADB and UNEP, 2003). However energy consumption of liquid fuels comes at a cost. The carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution as a result of energy consumption in Africa was approximately 3.5% of the global emission of CO2, (UNEP, 2003). Growth in demand in the fishing sector has ultimately resulted in the threat of the sustainability of particular coastal and marine populations. To-date the per capita fish catch worldwide has remained static since 1972, however, this measure for Southern Africa has declined significantly (UNEP 2003). Globalisation has resulted in the specialisation of economies in areas in which they have a comparative advantage. The prevalence of cheaper labour costs has led African countries to primarily move towards the role of producing goods in labour intensive sectors such as agriculture and mining. The demand for cash crop exports from African countries by the developed world has equally soared. However the use of pesticides in cash crop production in order to maintain certain international standards has the potential to reduce soil quality due to toxic residue build up. Future population growth, expansion in the agricultural sector, and general economic expansion in Africa will see heightened competition for water resources among these sectors. Competition for water resources between households, industry, and agriculture is expected to increase in future, as currently 25% of the population is living in areas already facing severe water stress (UNEP, 2003).