Ecological response to industrialisation drivers in Africa

More than ever, ecological conditions are fast deteriorating due to rising greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are significantly propelled into the atmosphere by growth in specific human activities that also advance industrialisation. These activities will increase considerably in developing countries since industrial growth can lead to rapid economic modernisation. Consequently, this study examined the long-term ecological implications of these industrialisation drivers, including manufacturing activities, resource wealth, urban development, income growth, globalisation, and human capital development. This study conducted a panel analysis of 32 African countries between 1991 and 2019, and empirical inferences were derived through a battery of advance estimation techniques. They include second-generation panel unit root and cointegration tests, generalised estimating equation, generalised least squares mixed effect model, dynamic common correlated effect, Driscoll-Kraay, and the panel corrected standard error methods. The study demonstrated that an increase in manufacturing value-added, natural resources wealth, income growth, globalisation, and human capital diminishes ecological quality in Africa. However, urbanisation was environmentally-enhancing. The study proposed relevant policy measures to mitigate environmental pollution from industrialisation drivers.