Sustainable Development in Guinea-Bissau Over the Last Decade
Guinea-Bissau, a small West African country, has faced numerous challenges on its path toward sustainable development. Over the past 10 years, the country has made progress in various key sectors essential for economic, social, and environmental development. With its rich biodiversity and agricultural potential, Guinea-Bissau remains a country with significant opportunities for investment and entrepreneurship.
Advances in Sustainable Development
1. Agriculture and Food Security
Agriculture remains the backbone of Guinea-Bissau's economy, accounting for approximately 55% of the GDP and employing 80% of the workforce. Over the last decade, the country has focused on improving agricultural productivity, particularly in cashew cultivation, which is the main export product.
According to the World Bank, cashew production increased by 50% between 2013 and 2023, driven by farmer training programs and improvements in agricultural techniques. However, food security remains a challenge, as reliance on a single crop makes the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in the international market.
2. Biodiversity Conservation
Guinea-Bissau is known for its rich biodiversity, especially within its vast system of protected areas, including Orango National Park and Cantanhez National Park. Over the past decade, the country has implemented stricter policies to conserve its natural resources.
Community participation has been key to these efforts. For instance, projects funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have promoted the sustainable management of fishery resources, involving local communities in monitoring and protecting their fishing zones. These efforts have resulted in a 30% reduction in illegal fishing in protected areas between 2015 and 2023.
3. Renewable Energy and Energy Access
Access to energy in Guinea-Bissau remains extremely low, with only 20% of the population connected to the national grid in 2023, according to data from the African Development Bank. However, the last decade has seen significant growth in investment in renewable energy, particularly solar power.
Various international organizations have supported rural electrification projects through the installation of solar panels. These projects have provided electricity to more than 50,000 people in rural communities, representing a 15% increase in rural electricity coverage compared to 2013.
4. Education and Training for Sustainable Development
Education remains a critical challenge for sustainable development in Guinea-Bissau, with adult literacy rates hovering around 45% in 2023, an improvement from 39% in 2013 (UNESCO). Nonetheless, efforts have been made to integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into national curricula.
UNICEF-supported programs have trained more than 10,000 teachers in ESD practices, allowing topics such as climate change and sustainable resource management to be incorporated into primary and secondary education.
Conclusion
Over the past 10 years, Guinea-Bissau has achieved notable progress in key areas of sustainable development, such as agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and access to renewable energy. However, there are still barriers that need to be addressed to ensure long-term sustainable development. International support and more stable governance will be crucial for the country to continue on its path toward a more sustainable future.
Bibliographic Sources:
. World Bank. (2023). Guinea-Bissau: Agricultural Production and Food Security. Retrieved from: https://www.worldbank.org/
. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2022). Conservation of Biodiversity in Guinea-Bissau. Retrieved from: https://www.undp.org/
. African Development Bank. (2023). Energy Access in Guinea-Bissau. Retrieved from: https://www.afdb.org/
. UNESCO. (2023). Literacy Rates and Education Initiatives in Guinea-Bissau. Retrieved from: https://www.unesco.org/
