ID: 1514
Presenting Author: Adegboyega Lawal
Session: 758 - Reframing Impact Assessment Narratives in Africa: Combating Misinformation, Power Asymmetries, and Distrust in Development
Status: pending
The paper examines communication challenges in EIAs across Southern, Western, and Eastern Africa, offering a comparative analysis and strategies to improve stakeholder engagement and transparency
Effective communication in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) is essential for successful development projects, especially in Africa where diverse regulatory frameworks and stakeholder engagement practices exist. This paper explores the communication challenges within EIA processes across Southern, Western, and Eastern Africa, focusing on the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement and the integration of local communities’ concerns in decision-making. While Southern Africa, particularly South Africa, has established a robust EIA system, challenges persist in ensuring inclusive participation, especially among marginalized communities. In Western Africa, countries like Nigeria and Ghana face political interference and inadequate communication between government bodies, project proponents, and local populations, undermining the effectiveness of EIAs. Similarly, Eastern Africa, including Kenya and Uganda, struggles with logistical and cultural barriers, preventing effective public consultations.
This paper critically examines these challenges and offers a comparative analysis of EIA regulatory frameworks in these regions. Through a review of case studies and stakeholder experiences, the paper highlights the gaps in communication practices, including the lack of transparency, limited public access to information, and insufficient integration of local knowledge. By addressing these issues, the research suggests strategies to improve communication and stakeholder engagement, advocating for a more inclusive and transparent EIA process.
Dr Adegboyega is a Principal Scientific Officer at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Environment specializing in EIA, climate integration, and AI-driven environmental governance in Africa
Coauthor 1: Thomas Fischer