African Forum on Green Economy Summary

The African Forum on Green Economy: Investing in Natural Capital for a Resilient Africa was convened in 2020 to accelerate the transformation of economic and financial decision making, such that we can better reward the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of nature.

Of all regions on the planet, Africa faces some of the most material natural capital risks and yet some of the most clear and compelling opportunities for green, sustainable growth. To unlock this potential, different stakeholders across the continent need new approaches, new methods, and new metrics.

• Businesses in fast growing, yet environmentally vulnerable sectors (e.g. agriculture, forestry, infrastructure) will need better information to understand the possible risks and respond in a sustainable way.
• Investors need to better understand their opportunity and risk profiles in emerging African markets
• Policymakers need to identify and enact smart legislation that provides natural, social and economic benefits for maximum sustainable growth.

With the added challenge of a global health pandemic, there is more urgency than ever to build economies that are resilient, just, and sustainable. The African Forum on Green Economy set out to explore how we can use collaboration and natural capital thinking to deal with these challenges and amplify our progress towards a green economy.

Key messages from the Forum include:

Africa’s vast natural capital is critical for its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and for building a green and fair economies and livelihoods across the continent.

Despite the increase in natural capital assessments across Africa, the data is not adequately informing policy, institution or business choices.

Ensuring natural capital approaches are integrated into financial systems, infrastructure choices and industrial policy, requires the participation of all stakeholders – business, finance, civil society, and policy makers.

All sessions are available to watch online:

• Diving into Water
• Digging into Agriculture
• Drilling into Infrastructure
• Natural Capital and Development Finance
• Data for Decision Making
• Enabling Change

For further information and quotes from speakers, see the event summary reports available for download below and the Forum’s dedicated website.