In the news, Africa’s flagship event dedicated to the green economy, the Africa’s Green Economy Summit (AGES), is actively preparing for its next edition, which will be held from 19 to 21 February 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. This international gathering, which has quickly built a solid reputation, aims to connect global economic players to develop African projects and accelerate the transition to a green economy on the continent.
Sanlam Investments’ support as the main sponsor for this new edition confirms their commitment to sustainable investment in Africa. As one of the largest asset management companies on the continent, managing assets worth approximately $700 billion, Sanlam Investments is committed to long-term investment in projects that have a positive social, environmental and economic impact.
Sanlam Investment Group CEO Carl Roothman highlights the growing importance of sustainable and impact investing to address critical challenges facing the African continent such as access to clean energy, resilient infrastructure development, economic diversification and climate change. Through their active participation in various strategic initiatives, Sanlam Investments demonstrates its commitment to actively contribute to Africa’s growth and development.
The theme of AGES 2025, “Building a Climate-Resilient Africa: Catalysing Investment and Innovation in the Green and Blue Economies”, highlights the importance of sectors such as renewable energy, green transport, water services, waste management, sustainable agriculture and the blue economy in fostering a transition to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly economy.
The event programme includes the presentation of over 60 project opportunities with a total value of over $3 billion, aimed at attracting local and international investors, including development finance institutions and private investors. In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, AGES 2025 promises to be a must-attend event for all stakeholders committed to the transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy.
The urgent issue of climate change is at the heart of the debates, and the notion of climate justice takes a prominent place. Teboho Makhabane, Head of ESG and Impact at Sanlam Investments, highlights the importance of compensating for losses and damages caused by developed countries to developing countries, stressing that climate is not only an environmental issue, but also a social and economic one.
In conclusion, the Africa’s Green Economy Summit is positioned as a key event to catalyze investments and innovation for a green and resilient economy in Africa. Thanks to the commitment of partners such as Sanlam Investments and the mobilization of leading players, this event is set to play a major role in the transition to a more sustainable development model on the African continent.