Africa’s Green Industrial Revolution Tops Economist Impact’s Sustainability Week Agenda
Economist Impact has successfully completed the first Sustainability Week Africa conference, part of its global series of sustainability events.
Sustainability Week Africa drew to Cape Town a global audience of leading experts, government representatives and influential stakeholders committed to driving sustainable practices across the continent.
The event revived an important conversation about promoting Africa’s sustainable economic development and transformation.
Held over two days, Sustainability Week Africa served as a powerful platform for collaboration, offering attendees strategies and solutions to adopt and progress sustainable practices across the continent.
More than 350 sustainability professionals from around the globe including businesses, public institutions and civil society gathered to hear 100 speakers lead dozens of panels and take part in sessions on sectors critical to African sustainability: renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure and financial systems.
Many took the opportunity to form partnerships geared toward creating long-term, climate-resilient economies in Africa.
The conference also highlighted the role of the private sector’s involvement. Senior representatives from companies including Eskom, Mahindra, MTN, Nestle, Volkswagen and Woolworths showcased their adoption of sustainable practices, underscoring the role of Africa’s private sector in advancing responsible growth.
Through dynamic sessions and during extensive networking opportunities attendees engaged in discussions intended to drive forward Africa’s sustainable growth.
In his opening remarks, Vijay Vaitheeswaran, the global energy and climate innovation editor at The Economist, emphasised the critical importance of Africa’s green transition.
“Africa stands on the precipice of a green industrial revolution that will not only lift millions out of poverty but transform the continent’s economy”, explained Mr Vaitheeswaran.
“Through innovation, sustainable practices, and shared responsibility we can secure a resilient, prosperous future for all Africans.”
In the event’s keynote address, Amina J. Mohammed, the deputy secretary-general of the United Nations, reinforced the need to prioritise human welfare in all sustainability efforts.
Ms Mohammed advocated for sustainable supply chains that meet global standards while benefiting local populations. “As we propel Africa towards a greener future we must ensure that sustainable development reaches everyone, particularly marginalised communities. Africa’s green transition cannot leave anyone behind.”
The event brought an exciting new perspective on Africa’s position in the world when Terry Virts, a former astronaut and commander of NASA’s International Space Station, drew on his experience orbiting the Earth.
Mr Virts’s emotive description of how the fragility of our planet becomes starkly apparent from space inspired the audience to deeper commitment to protecting the African continent.
The conference highlighted biodiversity conservation and food security as core pillars of sustainable agriculture. Julie Greene, the chief sustainability officer at Olam Group, described how the devastating impact of land degradation causes African smallholder farms to lose roughly 20% of their crops before reaching markets.
Ms Greene advocated for regenerative agriculture and advanced harvest technologies which offer African farmers the opportunity to “leapfrog” traditional farming with climate-resilient methods.
Jamie Joseph, the founder of Saving the Wild, an environmental charity, shared her belief that, since sustainability is important for the African ecosystem due to harmful factors such as human conflict and climate change, fostering climate-resilient economies should involve saving wildlife, with an emphasis on endangered species in Africa. She pleaded with delegates to use their influence to insist on laws to prevent further damage to African ecosystems.
Eddie Andrews, the deputy mayor of Cape Town, emphasised the vital role of cities in leading the charge toward a more sustainable future.
“We find ourselves at a critical juncture where the choices we make today will determine the future of our planet. While Cape Town boasts unparalleled natural beauty—from the iconic Table Mountain to our rich marine life—this beauty is fragile and must be protected. To us, sustainability is no longer just an option, it is a necessity. This is why hosting Sustainability Week Africa in Cape Town has been an excellent platform to pursue dialogue on climate issues and why they are so relevant to cities around the world.”
Economist Impact is dedicated to accelerating sustainability and climate action through its global series of sustainability events.
Its flagship Sustainability Week event, now in its tenth year, will be held in London between March 10th and 14th next year. The second annual Sustainability Week Africa has now been confirmed for October 2025 taking place in Cape Town.
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