ABSTRACT
The case for environmental law in Africa seems self-evident. Africa is endowed with natural resources that are the subject of exploitation for various purposes. Agriculture and natural resources exploitation, which dominate economic activities in Africa, come with environmental issues. Natural disasters and occurrences are not uncommon in Africa. Moreover, Africa is a target for the dumping of hazardous commercial and environmental wastes. Environmental law ensures that activities that come with environmental damage are regulated. Accordingly, most African countries have joined in the global environmental protection rule-making efforts. They are parties to major multilateral environmental treaties (METs) globally, regionally and subregionally. While the first METs in Africa were primarily aimed at protecting the trading interests of colonial powers, African countries are now initiators and voluntary participants in the making and implementation of METs. These METs and national constitutions entrench the right to a clean and safe environment with corresponding duties on African states to protect the environment and conserve natural resources. However, it remains uncertain how effectively these METs are being implemented.
