“Africa's Green Economy Summit forms 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,” says Harsen Nyambe, Director of the African Union’s Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Directorate and a featured speaker at this year’s AGES.

He continues: “The journey toward a sustainable future depends on our collective ability to attract investment, encourage collaboration, and take decisive actions to support Africa’s transition to a greener economy. This will unleash innovations capable of transforming sectors and stimulating economic growth, leading to a resilient and thriving future for the continent."

Sanlam Investments returns as the event’s name sponsor. “The AGES summit is a platform for us to have real discussions and commit to creating impact,” according to Carl Roothman, CEO of the Sanlam Investments Group.

“The African Development Bank is proud to be one of the lead sponsors of Africa’s Green Economy Summit 2025,” states Anthony Nyong, AfDB’s Director of Climate Change and Green Growth. He adds: “This event underscores the Bank’s unwavering commitment to supporting Africa’s transition to inclusive and green growth through our Climate Change and Green Growth Framework 2021–2030. By developing green innovative initiatives and hosting dedicated climate change funds, we are committed to fostering a climate resilient and prosperous future for Africa.”

“Standard Bank is committed to driving sustainability with a key focus on renewable energy and the just energy transition as well as waste and water solutions. As a Gold Sponsor of the AGES Summit, we can fulfil our mission by establishing relationships with key partners enabling us to deliver suitable solutions to our clients ensuring that they are future-ready.” – Deerosh Maharaj (Executive Head: Energy, Infrastructure and Mining, Business and Commercial Banking, Standard Bank)

Pitching for investors

The event’s popular Investment Pitch Programme is also back this year, connecting high-impact projects with global investors, and offering a dynamic platform to engage and foster real-world investment in Africa’s green economy.

The Investment Pitch Programme at AGES 2025 will feature not one, but two strategic stages tailored to accommodate varying project ticket sizes and financing structures. The programme will highlight a wide range of initiatives, including renewable energy, water services, green transport, waste management, regenerative agriculture, the blue economy and green buildings—each representing a crucial component of Africa's sustainable future.

Building on the successful 2024 edition, which showcased a pipeline of over $1.4 billion from 32 green projects, AGES 2025 aims to significantly amplify this momentum. A pipeline exceeding $2.2 billion will feature 58 innovative projects poised to transform the green landscape across Africa. These projects will investigate various financing structures, including grants, debt, and equity, ensuring a multifaceted approach to funding that maximizes both impact and scalability.

Valuable platform to connect

“The pitch programme at Africa’s Green Economy Summit is very important for companies like us,” says Bouwer van Niekerk of STROOM, a green cargo-e-bike manufacturer that participated in last year’s pitch sessions. The Stellenbosch-based startup promotes a model of sustainability in urban transport, particularly in informal settlements.

Bouwer explains: “At last year’s event we were able to meet up with Partnership for Growth, and we now have a partnership with P4G. We’ve also been building relationships with various stakeholders we connected with via AGES, which takes time. However, the Summit offered a unique opportunity to pitch our ideas to a diverse audience, including financiers, and other key players in the industry. It’s a valuable platform to connect with multiple stakeholders in one place.”

AU Roundtable

The event will also feature a carbon markets masterclass, keynotes, expert workshops, innovation showcases, dealmaking rooms, lightning talks, a 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 stakeholders from private and public sectors to explore collaborative and innovative strategies for boosting sustainable climate finance from national and international sources, aiming to meet Africa's needs and promote inclusive, sustainable development that leaves no one behind.

“Canada is proud to collaborate with the African Union to promote green and sustainable projects,” says Ambassador Ben Marc Diendéré, Permanent Observer to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. “The roundtable will explore innovative investment approaches and advocate policy changes to encourage 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, the Global Green Growth Institute, Climate Policy Initiative, Convergence, National Business Initiative and AP3.

Catalysing investment and innovation

The theme for this year’s event is Building a Climate Resilient Africa: Catalysing Investment and Innovation in the Green and Blue Economies. Jonathan First, senior advisor, Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) and interim chairman of the AGES advisory board explains: “We have carefully crafted this agenda to address five critical themes: Green Reforms, Nature & Biodiversity, Climate Finance, The Future of African Cities and Green Industrialisation. The 2025 edition will showcase seven key sectors of the green economy—renewable energy, green transport, waste management, water infrastructure, clean technologies, sustainable agriculture, and forestry—each essential to Africa’s sustainable future. We will also highlight the growing importance of the blue economy, linking economic growth with environmental stewardship.”

This year’s speaker and panellist highlights include:

• Anthony Nyong, Director Climate Change and Green Growth Department, African Development Bank, Côte d’Ivoire
• Barbara Buchner, Global Managing Director, Climate Policy Initiative, USA
• Catalina Marulanda, Practice Manager, Urban, Resilience and Land, East and Southern Africa, World Bank
• Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor, City of Cape Town, South Africa
• Harsen Nyambe, Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, African Union, Ethiopia
• Hubert Danso, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Africa Investor (Ai) Group, South Africa
• James Mnyupe, Presidential Economic Advisor and Hydrogen Commissioner, Government of The Republic of Namibia
• Kevin Anderson, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Climate Fund Managers, South Africa
• Maxwell Gomera, Resident Representative of UNDP South Africa and Director of the Africa Sustainable Finance Hub
• Pinky Kekana, Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, South Africa
• Samantha Jane Graham-Maré, Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, South Africa
• Seewraj Nundlall, Director, Economic Development Board, Mauritius
• Teddy Mugabo, Chief Executive Officer, Rwanda Green Fund, Rwanda