On the urbanization-pollution nexus in Africa: a semiparametric analysis

Africa’s rapid urbanization pose challenges for her environment and sustainable development. This paper investigates the environmental impact of urbanization for 49 African countries from 1990 to 2010 within the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology framework. Using a recently developed semi-parametric panel fixed-effects regression technique, and two atmospheric air pollutants, namely carbon dioxide (CO\(_2\)) and ambient particulate matter (PM\(_{10}\)) emissions, the evidence show that urbanization reduces environmental pollution. The semi-parametric analysis suggest that the result is more pronounced with PM\(_{10}\) but weaker for CO\(_2\) emissions. Moreover, there is no evidence to confirm the Kuznets’ hypothesis of an inverted U-shaped curve between urbanization and environmental pollution. Hence, to reap the benefits of urbanization, there is need for a strategic urban planning with basic infrastructure investment that promotes a green environment.