The First African Sustainability Forum: A Step Forward for Green Finance in Africa
The recently concluded African Sustainability Forum, held in Johannesburg from March 28-29, 2025, marked a significant milestone in the dialogue surrounding sustainable finance in Africa. Co-hosted by the Capacity-building Alliance for Sustainable Investment (CASI), South Africa's Reserve Bank, and National Treasury, along with UNCTAD, this event formed part of the G20 agenda. With representation from over 240 senior policymakers, financial leaders, and experts from 24 countries, alongside hundreds more joining online, the forum showcased the continent's commitment to fostering sustainable financial practices.
During the two-day event, participants engaged in rich discussions aimed at expediting Africa’s sustainable finance markets. They tackled pressing topics such as developing sustainable finance taxonomies, necessary disclosure methods, transitioning energy systems, and innovating blended finance tools essential for driving green industrialization. An essential point of focus included scaling up carbon markets within Africa, especially leveraging the provisions outlined in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The dialogue also addressed financing strategies for climate adaptation and resilience projects throughout the continent, highlighting the urgency of these endeavors.
Ma Jun, the Chairman of CASI, emphasized Africa’s immense potential for green growth, pointing to its untapped renewable energy resources and abundant carbon sinks. He articulated a vision for the African sustainable finance market that emphasizes investments in renewable energy, the greening of mining and agriculture sectors, and the production of carbon credits to benefit the global market.
Highlighting the critical need for skilled development in sustainable finance, Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP's Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, spoke about the vital contributions CASI can make in this area. Gcobisa Magazi, representing the South African G20 Presidency, conveyed the importance of creating robust sustainable taxonomies that can facilitate interoperability across jurisdictions, an essential factor for the successful implementation of sustainable finance policies.
Contributing to the discussions, Nan Li Collins, Senior Director at UNCTAD, underlined the necessity of transparency, reliable data, and coherent regulatory oversight as foundational pillars that can build investor trust, thus encouraging a surge in sustainable investments throughout developing markets.
A notable announcement made during the forum was the introduction of new online learning modules, offering 26 educational resources to participants, along with AI-driven learning tools equipped with multilingual capabilities. Participants expressed enthusiasm regarding the accessibility of these resources, recognizing them as critical for enhancing knowledge and skills in sustainable finance.
Looking ahead, attendees eagerly anticipated the announcement of the next CASI Sustainability Forum, slated for July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since its inception at COP28 in late 2023, CASI has made significant strides, providing capacity building trainings and technical assistance to over 5,000 participants from more than 50 countries. This ongoing commitment to empowering stakeholders in emerging markets underscores the growing global dedication to sustainable investment, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
As the discussions and initiatives from the African Sustainability Forum reverberate across borders, the collective aim to elevate Africa's role in sustainable finance serves as a model for other regions, promising a future that aligns economic growth with environmental sustainability.
During the two-day event, participants engaged in rich discussions aimed at expediting Africa’s sustainable finance markets. They tackled pressing topics such as developing sustainable finance taxonomies, necessary disclosure methods, transitioning energy systems, and innovating blended finance tools essential for driving green industrialization. An essential point of focus included scaling up carbon markets within Africa, especially leveraging the provisions outlined in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The dialogue also addressed financing strategies for climate adaptation and resilience projects throughout the continent, highlighting the urgency of these endeavors.
Ma Jun, the Chairman of CASI, emphasized Africa’s immense potential for green growth, pointing to its untapped renewable energy resources and abundant carbon sinks. He articulated a vision for the African sustainable finance market that emphasizes investments in renewable energy, the greening of mining and agriculture sectors, and the production of carbon credits to benefit the global market.
Highlighting the critical need for skilled development in sustainable finance, Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP's Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, spoke about the vital contributions CASI can make in this area. Gcobisa Magazi, representing the South African G20 Presidency, conveyed the importance of creating robust sustainable taxonomies that can facilitate interoperability across jurisdictions, an essential factor for the successful implementation of sustainable finance policies.
Contributing to the discussions, Nan Li Collins, Senior Director at UNCTAD, underlined the necessity of transparency, reliable data, and coherent regulatory oversight as foundational pillars that can build investor trust, thus encouraging a surge in sustainable investments throughout developing markets.
A notable announcement made during the forum was the introduction of new online learning modules, offering 26 educational resources to participants, along with AI-driven learning tools equipped with multilingual capabilities. Participants expressed enthusiasm regarding the accessibility of these resources, recognizing them as critical for enhancing knowledge and skills in sustainable finance.
Looking ahead, attendees eagerly anticipated the announcement of the next CASI Sustainability Forum, slated for July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since its inception at COP28 in late 2023, CASI has made significant strides, providing capacity building trainings and technical assistance to over 5,000 participants from more than 50 countries. This ongoing commitment to empowering stakeholders in emerging markets underscores the growing global dedication to sustainable investment, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
As the discussions and initiatives from the African Sustainability Forum reverberate across borders, the collective aim to elevate Africa's role in sustainable finance serves as a model for other regions, promising a future that aligns economic growth with environmental sustainability.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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