Rwanda will host the first ever Africa Green Growth Forum, gathering more than 1,000 investors, policy makers and financial specialists from across the continent to share experiences in green growth and climate resilient development. The weeklong forum takes place from 26 to 30 November 2018 at the Kigali Convention Centre and at sites around the country.

Themed ‘For A Green and Climate Resilient Africa’, the forum will shine a light on the importance of sustainable economic transformation and signal green growth as a priority for Africa. The Forum will encourage private sector investment in green growth, improve the understanding and use of finance as a tool for climate resilience, build partnerships between stakeholders working in Africa’s green growth sector and provide a platform for partners to engage and build relationships that accelerate the green growth agenda.

Participants will examine the opportunities that come with green growth as well as some of the challenges impeding its uptake across the continent. The Forum will cover the breadth and depth of these topics through high-level sessions on policy and strategy, technical discussions on climate finance and sustainable infrastructure, green technologies, an exhibition and field visits to local green growth initiatives.

It will also be a time for policy makers from across the continent to share their experience in fostering green growth and for participants to discover new concepts like the Circular Economy, which will be essential for the continent’s shared prosperity.

A highlight of the week will be the Africa Green Growth Investment Forum, a one-day event bringing together government leaders and investors to explore the opportunities for green growth across the continent and chart a course for harnessing them. This event will include keynote addresses and a high level panel featuring government officials and major investors. During the Forum, a concert will also be held at which the Rwanda Green Growth awards will be presented in four categories: industry, media, youth and local government.

The Africa Green Growth Forum is organised by a range of partners including the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Environment and its agencies the Rwanda Green Fund and Rwanda Environment Management Authority, the Global Green Growth Institute, the United Nations Development Programme and One UN Rwanda, Climate Investment Funds, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the African Centre for Climate and Sustainable Development, the Global Environment Facility, the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance and the African Circular Economy Alliance.

Quotes

“We are excited to host the inaugural Africa Green Growth Forum and we look forward to welcoming leaders from across the continent to advance green growth. To achieve the goals Africa has set for itself, our development must be clean, green and climate resilient. This requires us to share knowledge, experience and bring policy makers and investors together to turn ideas into reality. Our message is simple: Africa is open for green business.” - Vincent Biruta, Minister of Environment, Rwanda

“The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is proud to be an organizing partner for the Africa Green Growth Forum. GGGI’s Member countries are committed to transform their economies to a new model of green economic growth that is both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive - and we look forward to joining leaders from Africa to ensure opportunities of green growth can be realized.” - Frank Rijsberman, Director-General, Global Green Growth Institute

“Africa’s prosperity depends on countries embracing inclusive and green growth. Through our Ten-Year Strategy (2013-2022) and High Five (H5s) priority areas, the African Development Bank has been at the forefront of transitioning our continent on a green growth trajectory. Africa, with its vibrant labour force and abundant natural resources, is the next growth frontier. With the right policies and financial mobilization, we all can reap the dividends of Africa’s endowment while promoting inclusive and sustainable development. The Africa Green Growth Forum is an important gathering in support of these goals.” – Amadou Hott, Vice President, Power, Energy, Climate Change and Green Growth,  African Development Bank Group

“To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the world needs to transition to a new development model -- one that addresses climate change, supports the restoration of degraded ecosystems and improves livelihoods. Finance plays a critical role in this transition and the World Bank Group is pleased to support ongoing green growth efforts across the continent and the Africa Green Growth Forum.” – Karin Kemper, Senior Director for Environment and Natural Resources, World Bank

“With some of the fastest growing economies in the world, Africa represents one of the best opportunities for global green investors and the private sector. From e-mobility, clean energy and waste management to climate smart agriculture and new technologies that support the development of sustainable cities, now is the time to invest in green growth in Africa.” - Hiten Parmar Director, uYilo e-Mobility Programme

High Level International Guests

The following high level international guests are among those expected to grace the Africa Green Growth Forum:

•     Batio Bassiere, Minister of Environment, Green Economy and Climate Change, Burkina Faso
•     Dr Gemedo Dalle, Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Ethiopia
•     Kéita Aida M'Bo, Minister of the Environment, Sanitation and Sustainable Development, Mali
•     Lamin Dibba, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, The Gambia
•     Naoko Ishii, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson, Global Environment Facility
•     Dr Frank Rijsberman, Director-General, Global Green Growth Institute
•     Dr Ali Said Matano, Executive Secretary, Lake Victoria Basin Commission
•     Laurent Van Houcke Chief Operations Officer, BBOXX Ltd

More Information and Registration  

Learn more about the Africa Green Growth Forum, download the programme and apply to attend at www.greengrowth.rw.

Media Enquiries

Please direct media enquiries to media@greengrowth.rw or contact the Forum communications team:

• Umubyeyi Marie Josée, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Environment, on +250 788 455 198 or at jumubyeyi@environment.gov.rw.
• David Toovey, Communications Advisor, Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA), on +250 786 591 727 or at communication@fonerwa.org.
• Pamela Birungi, Senior Communications Officer, Global Green Growth Institute - Rwanda, on +250 783 126 261 or at pamela.birungi@gggi.org.