Review of the application of environmental impact assessment in selected African countries

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is promoting environmental impact assessment (EIA) as a policy instrument for integrating environment and development issues. This comprehensive report evaluates how EIA’s have been applied in various African countries, drawing on input predominantly from partner organisations working in the field of environmental assessment. It documents good practices, challenges and lessons learned, and provides an account of country experiences in the institutionalisation and application of EIA. The report also briefly looks at the status of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) application in Africa.

Key findings are presented at regional and national levels. The report concludes that many African countries have put in place effective environmental assessment systems. However, the extent to which EIA findings influence development decisions needs to be strengthened. The review finds that the key to overcoming challenges lies in the political will to improve human, material and financial capital.

The report lists pertinent recommendations for enhancing EIA implementation effectiveness in Africa:

• countries should develop and strengthen institutional, legislative and regulatory frameworks for EIA
• In order to ensure the use-effectiveness of EIA and SEA as policy tools that promote sustainable development, their institutionalisation and application should be within the framework of a sustainable development policy
• countries should develop capacity building programmes based on clearly identified needs taking into account experiences and lessons learned
• EIA administrators should develop strategies for public participation, which take into account lessons learned, and the specific country context
• it should be endeavoured to establish credible and trusted EIA systems that take into account the developmental context to which they apply
• countries should have legal requirements for the effective implementation of the EIA and its follow-up
• EIA systems should be linked and integrated with other environment safeguard systems in order to provide a holistic approach to environmental protection and social well-being
• countries should institutionalise SEA, ensuring that it is seen to provide benefits in order to accelerate its adoption.