If you visit any African country, you should not be surprised to come across cheap second-hand vehicles that are from the northern hemisphere. If you own a car then am sure you must label it as your pride and joy. How much is your car worth?
For a long period, Africa has been considered a dumping ground for used cars. But this begs the question why? There is a simple reason for this. When you visit Europe, you will come across strict laws that prohibit the use of vehicles that are above 25 years. This is because cars do not meet the criteria for being used on the continent. Moreover, environmental pollution is becoming a big bother all over the world.
SO, when you have old vehicles that guzzle fuel and emit pollution gases, where do you dump them? It does to the continent considered the backyard of the world. Even today, Africa is known to have some of the best hikes you will come across, and which makes us wonder – will things change soon?
Cars which are not desirable are being brought in Africa where they are sold for low prices. It is estimated that Japan and the US are leading car exporters in Africa taking 15% of the market.
What are the effects of using such vehicles on the continent?Â
Now, cars are difficult to dispose of. They aren’t eco-friendly, at least most of them, and recycling all the parts takes an effort.
The African continent has been on the receiving end of having to bear with the consequences of purchasing undesired vehicles. For instance, most of these substandard vehicles use up a lot of fuel which in turn leads to air pollution. In the long, you have a lot of people dying from respiratory illnesses. In 2016, 15,000 children who are below the age of five years died because of respiratory complications.
How can Africa deal with this situation?
It is not all doomed for African countries. Different governments are taking it upon themselves to end this evil. For instance, in 25 states they have restricted the buying of cars which are over 25 Years. On the other hand, a country like Kenya is taking a step further by limiting the buying of vehicles which are over the age of seven years.
Other continents like Europe are implementing stringent laws for the better of the region. Africa has also not been left behind. There are eleven countries which have adopted a sulfur fuel standard of 50ppm. If more states take this move, then we do not have to worry about respiratory diseases.
It might take a while before all African countries know the worth of developing their motor industry. But one thing is for sure, in the future, Africa is not going to be anyone’s dumping ground. The change has started happening already, and as African governments take a more resolute position on this, we will see significant improvements.