Africa is at a critical juncture in its development trajectory. As the continent with the fastest-growing population and urbanization rates, it faces unique challenges, including climate change impacts, resource depletion, and environmental degradation. Despite these challenges, Africa possesses immense potential to transition to a green economy, leveraging its abundant natural resources, youthful population, and growing innovation ecosystems.

The concept of a green economy—one that fosters economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability and social inclusivity—has gained significant traction across Africa in recent years. Several countries, including South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco, have already made substantial progress in adopting renewable energy, promoting sustainable agriculture, and fostering green finance mechanisms. However, there are still significant gaps in policy coherence, capacity building, financing, and regional cooperation that hinder the full realization of green economic opportunities.

The African Union (AU) and regional economic communities have identified the green economy as a critical pathway for achieving Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Initiatives such as the African Green Stimulus Program and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provide a unique platform to integrate green growth strategies into trade, investment and development frameworks.

Despite these efforts, Africa still lags in key green economy indicators. For instance, access to renewable energy remains limited, with over 600 million people lacking access to electricity. Waste management systems are underdeveloped, leading to environmental pollution and health hazards. Additionally, financing for green projects is often inadequate, with many countries relying heavily on external funding to drive sustainability initiatives.

The Africa Green Economy Centre (AGEC) aims to address these gaps by providing a centralized platform to advance green economic transformation through capacity building, policy advocacy, research, and partnerships.

Under the auspices of the International Trade and Research Center, AGEC is envisioned as a leading hub for advancing sustainable economic transformation across Africa, fostering innovation, capacity building, and partnerships for a resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon economy. By building on networks with stakeholders and the intersections of trade, research, and sustainability, the Centre aims to position Africa as a global leader in green economic growth.

The AGEC portfolio themes interventions will align with regional and international frameworks while catering to the unique needs of African countries, ensuring that the green economy becomes a cornerstone of Africa’s development agenda.