AGES 2025: Building a climate-resilient Africa – fostering investment and innovation in green and blue economies
Sanlam Investments is proud to sponsor the Africa Green Economy Summit (AGES) 2025, which will be held from 19th to 21st February 2025 at the Century City Conference Center in Cape Town. AGES is a premier event aimed at connecting global capital with innovative green economy businesses and projects across Africa, from entrepreneurial start-ups to large-scale national infrastructure initiatives.
Carl Roothman, CEO of Sanlam Investments, commented: “AGES 2025’s theme of Building a Climate Resilient Africa: Accelerating Investment and Innovation in Green and Blue Economies is perfectly aligned with our sustainability north star.”
“AGES offers a unique opportunity for global investors to take on economically attractive and high-impact initiatives in Africa, opening new pathways to sustainable growth. Last year, investments were made towards more than 30 green projects worth over USD 1.4 billion. That’s why it’s an important platform for aligning finance with the goals of 2025, which requires a unified focus on investing in solutions that address Africa’s most pressing challenges, such as clean energy, resilience, infrastructure and climate change, while offering investors attractive investment performance prospects. ”
Leadership and expertise at AGES 2025
AGES 2025 brings together leading voices in the sustainability and finance sector, including:
• Mr. Abel Sakau, Chief Sustainability Officer, Sanlam Group, South Africa • Mr. Andrew Johnston, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Fund Managers, Netherlands • Mr. Ibrahim Scheren, Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Finance, Nigeria • Mr. Hasen Nyambe, Director, Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, African Union, Ethiopia
• Mr. James Munyepe, Economic Advisor to the President of the Republic of Namibia and Hydrogen Commissioner
• Seewraj Nundlall, Director, Mauritius Economic Development Board • Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor, City of Cape Town, South Africa
• Shamila Sobramane, CEO, National Business Initiative (NBI)
These experts provide valuable insights and practical guidance to shape Africa’s green economy and accelerate the transition to a climate-resilient future.
Explore green hydrogen and carbon market opportunities
With the global decarbonization drive, green hydrogen has become the cornerstone of sustainable energy. Africa, rich in renewable resources, is well positioned to lead in this area. AGES 2025 explores how investments and partnerships can unlock the potential of green hydrogen for both local and global impact.
Additionally, a pre-conference masterclass on navigating carbon market opportunities will provide attendees with tools to optimize carbon revenue and drive impactful climate action.
2025: Focus on impact
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has officially recognized 2024 as the warmest year on record. Given the pace of climate change and its impact across the continent, Rothman expects to see a renewed focus on these topics in 2025, many of which will form the basis of conversations at AGES.
• Expansion of renewable energy: Significant increase in solar, wind and hydro projects. Sanlam Investments supports this through its own balance sheet and through funds such as the Sustainable Infrastructure Fund, which funds commercial, industrial and utility-scale projects, and the Resilient Investment Fund, which supports small and medium-sized businesses such as Energy Partners in scaling up clean energy solutions.
• Green Hydrogen Leadership: In Namibia and South Africa, driven by Sanlam Investments’ pioneering partner Climate Fund Manager, Southern Africa is becoming a global leader in green hydrogen, opening up both export and local energy opportunities.
• Capital Harvest: Establish agricultural cultivation from scratch to create jobs and support more households.
• Inclusive climate finance: Enabling small businesses and underrepresented groups to access and leverage climate-focused investments, enabling all communities in Africa to benefit from green growth.
• Sustainable investing: Through initiatives such as the Sanlam Living Planet Fund in partnership with WWF, we will strengthen our investments in projects and businesses that balance growth and environmental responsibility.
• Blue Economy Commitment: Climate Fund managers support Oceans Finance Company (OFC) to complete the world’s largest nature debt exchange that will help protect the Galapagos Islands, one of the most important ecosystems on Earth, to harness Africa’s ocean and water resources for sustainable economic growth.
Participate in AGES 2025
This summit provides a unique platform to connect, collaborate and accelerate green economies across Africa. AGES 2025 will play a key role in driving Africa’s green transition by bringing together global capital, cutting-edge solutions and visionary leadership.
Rothman concluded: “Africa is on the cusp of an era of transformation. Sustainable investing is evolving and there is an increasing need for investors to move beyond traditional ESG considerations and focus on scalable and impact investing. It’s time to stop talking and thinking only about policy and regulation and start taking action.”
“We look forward to working with AGES on new green opportunities for our country and the African continent. We are a great country for green investment, especially in South Africa. Firstly, economically, and secondly, we are blessed with an optimal climate, open landscapes, sea, wind and climate.”
solar. Currently, asset allocation to these investments is inadequate. AGES provides a platform for meaningful dialogue and actionable initiatives to create lasting impact. ”
Disclaimer: Sanlam Investments is comprised of FAIS certified financial services providers whose disclaimer is available on our website.
