AfCFTA Secretary-General calls for stronger investment partnerships to drive Africa’s green industrialisation agenda

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, has called for stronger long-term investment partnerships to support Africa’s industrial transformation and climate ambitions during the Africa–Europe High-Level Dialogue on Green Industrialisation held at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.

The dialogue was convened by the Africa Europe Foundation, the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative and the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations.

Speaking during the discussions, Mene highlighted the importance of the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change as a key continental framework for climate action and policy coordination. He noted that although Africa contributes less than four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the continent continues to experience disproportionate impacts from climate change.

Mene also outlined progress under the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative, particularly efforts focused on advancing green trade, green industrialisation and the development of critical minerals value chains. He said the broader ambition of the initiative is to mobilise up to US$100 billion in investments to support sustainable industrial growth across the continent.

The discussions further explored the need to improve the bankability of projects and unlock financing for large-scale infrastructure and industrial development. Mene called for stronger complementarity between continental and global initiatives to increase liquidity flows and attract long-term capital into Africa.

He also underscored the growing importance of aligning the digital economy, climate action and industrialisation as Africa positions itself within the emerging global green economy.

On the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Mene cautioned that many African economies could face adverse effects if adequate support mechanisms are not put in place. He stressed the importance of ensuring that global climate and trade measures remain fair, inclusive and mutually beneficial for developing economies.