Countries in Africa are taking steps to include the value of nature in their economic planning through natural capital accounting (NCA), with support from the World Bank’s Global Program on Sustainability (GPS). This approach involves measuring and valuing resources such as forests, water, and ecosystems, which play a key role in economic growth but are often not reflected in national accounts.
Ethiopia is using natural capital accounts to inform its work on climate resilience and sustainable land management. Renewable natural capital makes up 28% of Ethiopia’s wealth. The country has developed land cover and ecosystem services accounts through projects like the World Bank’s Climate Action through Landscape Management (CALM) project and the Ethiopia Strategic Investment Framework. An Investment Prioritization Tool helps guide decisions on land use and restoration. The Ministry of Planning and Development is working to include natural capital accounting in Ethiopia’s ten-year development plan.
Rwanda has focused on compiling data for land, water, and minerals accounts, positioning itself as a leader in NCA within Africa. In 2024, Rwanda hosted the 7th Global Policy Forum on Natural Capital, where it highlighted its efforts to integrate biodiversity and ecosystem data into national statistics. The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda is incorporating natural capital into its System of National Accounts. This integration supports Rwanda’s goal to become a center for green growth, sustainable investment, and nature-based tourism. In 2024, the country saw record spending from tourism and record employment in that sector.
Uganda has developed accounts for water, forests, and ecosystem services. The country is integrating these accounts into national statistics as well as macroeconomic frameworks like its Third National Development Plan and Country Climate and Development Report. Policymakers are using tools such as the Rapid Environmental Economic Assessment and UGAMOD—a macroeconomic model that includes environmental data—to look beyond GDP when assessing progress.
Zambia was among the first African countries to adopt NCA practices. It has created forestry, water, and land accounts, with ecosystem accounts nearing completion. These efforts have informed Zambia’s Ninth National Development Plan and shaped investments like TRALARD II—a World Bank initiative focused on climate-resilient landscapes. Integrated Economic-Environmental Modeling (IEEM) is used to assess how investments in agriculture or forestry can impact GDP growth while reducing poverty levels and carbon emissions by 2050. Wildlife Protected Area Accounts have also supported Zambia's growing nature-based tourism industry, which represents up to 6% of GDP and half a million jobs.
The collaboration with GPS has fostered knowledge sharing across these countries while building capacity for more informed policy decisions regarding natural resources. As stated in the release: “These pioneering efforts are not just about environmental stewardship; they are about economic transformation.” By assigning value to nature within their economies, these nations aim to redefine prosperity for long-term sustainability.
The experience gained from these African countries may provide guidance for similar initiatives worldwide by showing how NCA can be embedded into financial systems globally.