Africa’s Green Economy Summit brings together continent’s key role-players

CAPE TOWN, 26 October 2023: Africa’s Green Economy Summit taking place from 21-23 February 2024 in Cape Town builds on the success of this year’s inaugural event with a line-up of distinguished participants from across the continent.

The 2024 programme released this week deepens the continent’s participation, with extensive representation from key regions and role-players across a variety sectors.

“Africa's Green Economy Summit is a vital link between global capital and sustainable projects in the continent. The Summit unites investors, project leaders, and policymakers, fostering connections and paving the way for an inclusive green economy and a sustainable future for all,” said Dr Mallé Fofana, Head and Africa Regional Director, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Côte D’Ivoire.

The strength of the African contingent for next year’s event is also underlined by the participation of the African Union Commission (AUC), which will be joining the “Scaling Up Green Investments to Address Climate Change” roundtable as part of the Green Recovery Action Plan (GRAP) programme. The roundtable will gather representatives from selected AU member countries – including Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zambia, Lesotho and Namibia – and Regional Economic Communities, together with AU partner organisations, international financial institutions, multi-lateral development banks and actors from the private sector.

“We anticipate a historic gathering of esteemed dignitaries, policymakers, and private sector advocates, all committed to fulfilling Africa's immense green growth potential. I am excited by the opportunity that awaits to marry the abundant willing climate finance with Africa’s recovery and growth plans, driving green economic transformation in a meaningful way,” commented Todd Micklethwaite, Head of Strategy and Impact (Alternatives), Sanlam Investments, and advisory board member of the 2024 event.

The event consists of a two-day summit and connecting platform, a pitch programme and a project and innovation showcase, as well as an experiential day. It offers a showcase of investable African projects, access to investors, interaction with governmental and city officials, and the opportunity to obtain a deeper understanding of Africa’s green-economy landscape, its challenges, and opportunities.

Expert and keynote speakers from across the continent that have been confirmed include:

• H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), African Union Commission (AUC), Ethiopia
• Carl Roothman, CEO, Sanlam Investment Group, South Africa
• Frannie Léautier, Senior Partner & CEO, Southbridge Investments, USA
• Dr Obaid Amrane, CEO, Ithmar Capital, & Chair, ASIF, & Acting Chair, IFSWF, Morocco
• Hubert Ruzibiza, Senior Advisor, Climate Finance and Technical Assistance, African Green Infrastructure Investment Bank (AfGIIB), Rwanda
• Iraj Abedian, Chairman, Pan-African Capital Holdings, South Africa
• Teddy Mugabo, CEO, Rwanda Green Fund, Rwanda
• Joyce Kabui, Africa Manager, The Green Hydrogen Organisation (GH2), Kenya
• Kevin Anderson, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Climate Fund Managers (CFM), South Africa
• James Mnyupe, Presidential Economic Advisor and Hydrogen Commissioner, Government of The Republic of Namibia
• Catalina Marulanda, Practice Manager, Urban Development, Central & Southern Africa, World Bank, USA
• Ana Hajduka, Founder & CEO, Africa GreenCo, Southern Africa
• Vuyo Ntoi, Joint Managing Director, African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), South Africa
• Nontokozo Nkosi, Director Project Development, AMEA Power, South Africa
• Florence Larbi, Chief Operations Officer, Environment and Sanitation Groups, Jospong Group, Ghana

The Africa’s Green Economy Summit programme’s main session themes and highlights include:

• Driving Africa’s transition: mobilising investment for green growth
• Sovereign and private investors: Unleashing powerful synergies
• Unlocking right-priced capital
• Harnessing Carbon markets in Africa
• Attracting investments in South Africa’s transmission and distribution system
• Financing power-to-X (PTX) green hydrogen opportunities
• Navigating Africa’s e-mobility transition – charting our course forward
• Transforming the power market – commercialising green energy
• Circular economy: Solid waste management
• Empowering Africa’s mineral resources in battery value chains
• Water resilience in African cities

The full programme to date can be viewed on the website of Africa’s Green Economy Summit or click here .

A key element of the four-day event is to give project owners a platform to pitch their businesses to potential global and local investors. Those that have been selected so far include the following: Brickify Ltd, Ecotutu, EWaste Africa, Pam Africa, SeaH4 and Syncon Energies. The full programme for the investment pitches will be released on 17 November 2023.

Africa's Green Economy Summit partners include: Sanlam (title sponsor), African Union (partner organisation), City of Cape Town (host city), Western Cape government (host province), Wesgro (investment promotion partner), USAID (empowerment partner), the Global Green Growth Institute (supporting partner) and ESI Africa (host media)). The Summit is organised in partnership with e-Movement.