Lord Nicholas Stern, author of the 2006 Stern Review on climate change, will open Africa’s green economy summit in Cape Town in February 2027, organiser VUKA Group said, as Africa prepares for COP32.
The green economy summit, set for 23 to 26 February at the Century City Conference Centre, has released a programme built around what it calls “Road to COP32: Africa’s Implementation Agenda”, with a focus on turning climate pledges into financed projects.
What is on the green economy summit agenda?
Stern, who chairs the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics, will speak in a session on financing Africa’s sustainable future, VUKA Group said in a statement. Other confirmed speakers include Satu Kahkonen, World Bank division director for South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini, and Roslyn Ng’eno of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.
The organiser said it expects more than 700 delegates, more than 150 investors and 40 investment-ready projects with a combined pipeline of $2bn. These are the organiser’s projections. Topics include energy access, water security, critical minerals, carbon finance and sustainable transport.
“COP32 is an opportunity for Africa to change the narrative from a continent seeking climate finance to a continent offering some of the world’s most compelling green investment opportunities,” said Emmanuelle Nicholls, group director for green economy at VUKA Group.
Why does COP32 matter for the green economy summit?
Ethiopia is due to host the UN climate conference, COP32, in Addis Ababa in 2027, after winning the backing of the African Group of Negotiators over Nigeria in 2025. African governments have pressed for more adaptation finance and lower borrowing costs for clean energy projects, themes DNE Africa covered around Africa’s participation at COP31 and Ghana’s climate and ESG policy communique.
The City of Cape Town returns as host city. The green economy summit is a commercial event run by VUKA Group, an events and media company.
FAQ
When is Africa’s green economy summit?
It runs from 23 to 26 February 2027 at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town, according to the organiser.
Who is Lord Nicholas Stern?
He is a British economist who led the 2006 Stern Review on the economics of climate change and chairs the Grantham Research Institute at the London School of Economics.
Where will COP32 take place?
Ethiopia is due to host COP32 in Addis Ababa in 2027.
