The African Green Economy Summit (AGES) held its third edition in Cape Town, South Africa, from February 18 to 21, 2025, bringing together political leaders, experts, and private sector actors to discuss the continent’s green transition. Organized by the African Union, the event’s theme was “Building a Climate-Resilient Africa: Catalyzing Investment and Innovation in the Green and Blue Economies.”
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During the opening ceremony, Dr. Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank, emphasized Africa’s potential to lead global efforts toward a sustainable economy. “To build a climate-resilient Africa, adaptation must be at the center of our strategies,” Nyong stated, highlighting that only 10% of global climate finance flows are directed toward adaptation. The expert urged to triple the resources allocated to green investments, promoting strategic partnerships that drive sustainable development.
The African Development Bank, as a platinum sponsor of the event, reaffirmed its commitment to green growth through its 2021-2030 Climate Change and Green Growth Framework. Among the key activities, the World Bank Group organized a masterclass on carbon markets in Africa, highlighting how these are becoming more stable and attractive for new sustainable projects.
Barbara Buchner, Global Managing Director of the Climate Policy Initiative, stressed the need for greater private sector involvement, noting that only 18% of climate finance in Africa comes from this sector, compared to other regions of the world. Harsen Nyambe, Director of Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union, emphasized the summit’s role as a “vital link between global capital and sustainable projects on the continent.”
The event also highlighted the importance of addressing specific challenges, such as access to clean technologies. Maxwell Gomera, UNDP Resident Representative in South Africa, expressed, “Although we’ve sent people to the moon, we still haven’t solved the clean cooking problem in Africa, which represents a business challenge.” AGES concluded as a unique platform to project Africa’s leadership in the green economy, driving key investments and strengthening partnerships for a resilient and low-carbon future.
