“Africa’s Green Economy Summit will form an important link between global capital and sustainable projects on the African continent. The Summit will unite investors, project leaders and policy makers, fostering connections and paving the way to an inclusive green economy and a sustainable future for all,” said Hasen Nyambe, Director of the African Union’s Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate and this year’s featured speaker at AGES.
He added: “The journey towards a sustainable future depends on our collective ability to attract investment, foster collaboration and take decisive action to support Africa’s transition to a greener economy. This will unlock innovation that can transform sectors and stimulate economic growth, leading to a resilient and prosperous future for the continent.”
Sanlam Investments will once again be the name sponsor of the event. “AGES Summit is a platform for us to have serious discussions and commit to creating impact,” said Karl Rothman, CEO of Sanlam Investments Group.
“The African Development Bank is proud to be one of the key sponsors of the 2025 Africa Green Economy Summit,” said Anthony Nyong, AfDB Director of Climate Change and Green Growth. He added: “This event underlines the Bank’s unwavering commitment to supporting Africa’s transition to inclusive and green growth through the Climate Change and Green Growth Framework 2021-2030. By developing green and innovative initiatives and hosting a dedicated climate change fund, we are committed to fostering a climate-resilient and prosperous future for Africa.”
“Standard Bank is committed to driving sustainability, with a focus on renewable and fair energy transitions, and waste and water solutions. As a Gold Sponsor of the AGES Summit, establishing relationships with key partners allows us to deliver on that mission by ensuring we provide the right solutions to help our clients be future-ready.” – Deerosh Maharaj, Head of Business and Commercial Banking, Energy, Infrastructure and Mining, Standard Bank
Proposal for investors
The event’s popular Investment Pitch Program will also be held again this year, connecting high-impact projects with global investors, providing a dynamic platform to engage and drive real-world investment in Africa’s green economy.
The investment pitch program at AGES 2025 features not one but two strategic stages tailored to accommodate different project ticket sizes and funding structures. of
The program focuses on a wide range of initiatives including renewable energy, water services, green transport, waste management, regenerative agriculture, blue economy and green buildings, each representing a key element of Africa’s sustainable future.
AGES 2025 aims to significantly build on this momentum, building on the successful 2024 edition, which showcased a pipeline of over $1.4 billion from 32 green projects. The more than $2.2 billion pipeline includes 58 innovative projects that will transform green landscapes across Africa. These projects explore a variety of financing structures, including grants, debt, and equity, ensuring a multifaceted approach to financing that maximizes both impact and scalability.
A valuable platform to connect
“The pitch program at the African Green Economy Summit is very important for companies like ours,” says Bower van Niekerk from STROOM, a green cargo e-bike manufacturer, who participated in last year’s pitch session. The Stellenbosch-based startup is promoting a model of sustainability in urban transport, particularly in informal settlements.
“At last year’s event we announced the Partnership for We have also been building relationships with the various stakeholders we connected with through AGES, which takes time. However, the summit provided us with a unique opportunity to pitch our ideas to a diverse audience, including investors and key players in the industry. It is a valuable platform to connect with multiple stakeholders in one place.
Australian Roundtable
The event will also feature carbon market masterclasses, keynotes, expert workshops, innovation showcases, deal-making rooms, lightning talks, WomenIN Green Economy Connect, panel discussions and roundtables. For example, the African Union Green Investment Roundtable, supported by the Global Green Growth Institute and the Government of Canada, will bring together public and private sector stakeholders to explore collaborative and innovative strategies to promote sustainable climate finance from domestic and international sources, with the aim of meeting Africa’s needs and promoting inclusive and sustainable development that leaves no one behind.
“Canada is proud to work with the African Union to promote green and sustainable projects,” said Ambassador Ben-Marc Diendele, Permanent Observer to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. “The roundtable will consider innovative investment approaches and advocate for policy changes to promote green investment in African Union member states.”
Other event partners include the City of Cape Town, Wesgro, ABB, CSIR, Mastercard Foundation, AFC, AFD, Lesedi Energy Engineering, Gauteng IDZ, Atlantis SEZ, RBIDZ, Global Green Growth Institute, Climate Policy Initiative, Convergence, National Business Initiative and AP3.
Drive investment and innovation
The theme of this year’s event is “Building a climate-resilient Africa: Accelerating investment and innovation in green and blue economies.” Jonathan Furst, Senior Advisor at the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) and Interim Chair of the AGES Advisory Board, explains:
Reform, nature and biodiversity, climate finance, the future of African cities, green industrialization. The 2025 edition introduces seven key sectors of the green economy: renewable energy, green transport, waste management, water infrastructure, clean technology, sustainable agriculture and forestry, each of which is essential to Africa’s sustainable future. We will also highlight the growing importance of the blue economy, which links economic growth and environmental management. ”
