Why big dams don’t work
The record of Africa’s large dams is one of widespread environmental destruction to the continent’s major river systems, upon which millions of people depend for their livelihoods; forcible resettlement and human rights abuses; corruption and cost overruns.
Large dams across the continent have left a trail of “development–induced poverty” in their wake. Project benefits have been consistently overstated and inequitably shared.Africa’s large hydropower dams also disproportionately benefit industry and high-income groups, and have done little to reduce energy poverty. Finally, because African energy sectors are already excessively dependent on large-dam hydropower for electricity supply, and because the majority of Africans depend directly on rivers for their livelihoods, big dams are increasing the continent’s vulnerability to climate change.
