Cape Town Hosts a Transformative Africa Green Economy Summit 2025
The recently concluded Africa Green Economy Summit (AGES) 2025, held from February 19-21 at the Century City Conference Centre, brought together industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to drive forward Africa’s green transition. Invest Cape Town, representing the City of Cape Town, actively participated in the three-day event, fostering strategic partnerships, and gaining valuable insights into sustainable economic growth.
A Platform for Innovation and Investment
As one of the premier events connecting global capital with transformative green economy businesses and projects, AGES 2025 showcased over 60 innovative projects, ranging from entrepreneurial start-ups to large-scale national infrastructure initiatives. The summit’s comprehensive programme, developed in collaboration with a 35+ member Advisory Board, addressed critical themes such as green reforms, biodiversity & nature, climate finance, resilient cities, green supply chains, and green industrialisation.
Empowering Green Start-ups and Entrepreneurs
One of the standout moments for Invest Cape Town was attending an insightful workshop featuring esteemed industry leaders:
- Innovative Financing for Climate Start-ups – led by Joshua Romisher, CEO of Holocene
- Start-up Winning Strategies: Leveraging Ecosystems to Scale Faster & Smarter– led by Alexis Grosskopf, CEO of Ocean Innovation Africa
- How to Build a Successful Green/Sustainable Business: The Three Must-Have Elements for Success – led by Catherine Wijnberg, CEO of Fetola
- Addressing Financing Gaps for Start-ups – led by Edith Ofwona Adera, Regional Principal Officer, African Development Bank Group
Another highlight was the WomenIN (WiN) Green Economy Breakfast, organised by Naz Fredericks-Maharaj, celebrating the invaluable contributions of women driving Africa’s green transition. A thought-provoking panel session explored the role of women in green reforms, entrepreneurship, and policy advocacy.
Strengthening Partnerships and Showcasing Local Talent
AGES 2025 provided a valuable networking platform for companies to reconnect with ecosystem partners such as the Atlantis Special Economic Zone, Freeport Saldanha, GreenCape, and other key stakeholders. Western Cape-based companies such as Zero Carbon Charge, FlyH2 Aerospace, and One More Time had the opportunity to pitch their groundbreaking green solutions to potential investors.
Insights from the City of Cape Town: Building a Sustainable Future
Gareth Morgan, Executive Director for Future Planning & Resilience at the City of Cape Town, delivered key insights into Cape Town’s sustainable development strategies. His presentation emphasised:
- Strategic planning for periods exceeding ten years.
- The importance of strong programme, project, and portfolio management skills.
- Third-party validation through external audits and high credit ratings.
- Ensuring financial sustainability to secure the most competitive capital costs.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis also addressed the summit, highlighting the city’s role as a leader in Africa’s green economy. He pointed to the Atlantis Special Economic Zone as a national model for green manufacturing, which has already attracted R1.3 billion in investments and operates entirely on renewable energy.
Driving Africa’s Green Transition Forward
The momentum around Africa’s green economy continues to grow, and AGES 2025 reinforced the power of collaboration, innovation, and bold action in driving sustainable development. As Tshepo Kgobe, CEO of the Gautrain Management Agency, noted, the summit underscored the need to rethink traditional financial models to align with sustainability goals.
AGES 2025 was a testament to Cape Town’s commitment to leading the continent’s green transformation. By fostering innovation, attracting investments, and advocating for sustainable policies, Invest Cape Town is playing a crucial role in shaping a future where economic growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
