Staff Writer
The Africa’s Green Economy Summit 2026 opened in Cape Town this week, bringing together policymakers, investors and business leaders to focus on turning green ambitions into practical projects.
Held under the theme “From Ambition to Action: Scaling Opportunities in Africa’s Green and Blue Solutions,” the summit aims to accelerate Africa’s transition to a sustainable and climate-resilient economy.
Organisers said the event is designed to move beyond discussion and promote deal-making and partnerships. The focus is on converting environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
“Ambition lights the path, but it does not pave it. To transform our economies and uplift our communities, we must move beyond rhetoric to robust execution,” said Lerato Mbele, Summit Moderator. “This summit is a marketplace of ideas where we connect visionaries with investors, ensuring that Africa’s green transition is not just sustainable, but also scalable and profitable.”
The agenda highlights the blue economy, which contributes nearly US$300 billion each year to Africa’s GDP and supports about 46 million livelihoods through fisheries, tourism and logistics.
The summit also focuses on the green economy, especially agriculture and renewable energy. Organisers said global green business opportunities could reach US$10 trillion over the next decade. Africa is expected to play a role in job creation, with projections of up to 300 million new jobs linked to green growth.
Naren Singh, deputy minister of forestry, fisheries and environment, urged delegates to balance environmental protection with economic progress.
“Our journey towards a low-carbon future must be defined by a fundamental truth: sustainability is a three-legged stool, balancing the health of our planet, the prosperity of our people and the creation of shared value,” he said. “By investing in our natural capital, we are investing in the most resilient infrastructure of all our communities.”
The summit continues with sessions aimed at building partnerships, mobilising capital and strengthening Africa’s role in global green and blue value chains.
