Africa’s 2026 Green Economy Summit kicked off in Cape Town on February 25, and the message was clear: speed up climate funding and invest more in green and blue economy ideas. This fourth summit pulled in everyone: policymakers, financiers, lawmakers, project developers, and business leaders, and the point wasn’t just to talk about big goals but to actually get things done and see real progress across Africa. This year’s theme, “From Ambition to Action: Scaling Opportunities in Africa’s Green and Blue Solutions,” says it all.

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Circular Economy and Policy Execution Take Centre Stage

In his keynote speech, Narend Singh, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment of South Africa, highlighted the need for the promotion of a circular economy for the efficient use of resources. He stated that natural resources are being exploited at a rate that exceeds their replenishment rate, which has resulted in water stress and environmental degradation.

Singh stated that a circular economy is a key solution for the efficient use of resources, noting that frameworks and strategies are of no use if they are not implemented. He highlighted the need for addressing the skills gap in the economy, stating that low-carbon business models and clean technologies need to be implemented, and there is a need for investment in greenfield projects instead of brownfield projects.

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The Blue and Green Economies Have Massive Potential

The summit demonstrated that Africa’s blue economy has significant global economic potential, covering three main areas: fisheries, marine transport, and coastal tourism. This sector is currently providing roughly $300 billion per year in GDP to Africa and supporting roughly 46 million jobs. Due to its large scope, the blue economy is significantly underfunded and underdeveloped when compared to its potential.

The green economy (comprised of agriculture, renewable energy and low carbon industries) is forecasted to generate an estimated $10 trillion in global economic value during the next ten years, and for the rapidly growing youth population of Africa, this transition to a green economy could generate approximately 300 million new jobs, thus creating an important economic opportunity in addition to being imperative for our environment and sustainability.

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Energy Transition, Water Security, and Innovation

Sing, therefore, cited several large flagship programs such as Just Energy Transition Partnership [JETP] and Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program [REIPPPP] as an example of how the energy sector is undergoing systemic reforms towards renewable energy deployment while offering a just transition for communities affected by the energy transition.

In addition to the initiatives on energy transition in Africa’s 2026 Green Economy Summit, Singh addressed the importance of innovative water solutions, such as identifying sustainable agricultural practices that conserve water, protect soil health, and utilize alternative fertilisers. He applied the example of Kenya’s experimentation with green fertilisers created using green hydrogen.

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