Re-imagining Africa’s Just Transition to a sustainable and inclusive net-zero and climate resilient future: How are participating countries framing their Just Transitions, setting climate ambition, and what is the role of business?

“I deeply believe that COP27 is an opportunity to showcase unity against an existential threat that we can only overcome through concerted action and effective implementation.”

~ President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to our global economy but tackling it is also one of the world’s biggest economic opportunities. Climate threats are amplified on the African continent, where the transition risk and physical impacts are further exacerbated by high levels of social and economic vulnerability.

The UNFCCC’s Climate Conference (COP27) is taking place in Egypt this year. This African COP is a pivotal moment for governments and business, across the continent, to showcase and position the range of climate investment opportunities that exist in Africa and to amplify the value of collaborative action.

An effective climate response is inextricably connected to Africa’s development. Adaptation challenges do not observe borders, thus building resilient and sustainable energy networks will be more efficient and successful when based on regional partnerships and collaboration. Addressing the interface between climate action, just transitions, development, finance, and investment, with the participation of the private sector in Africa, is crucial if we want to realise the immense opportunities across the continent.

In the spirit of showcasing collaborative action in the face of climate change, the National Business Initiative (NBI) has partnered with the African Climate Foundation (ACF) to deliver a series of dialogues between African business across the continent, including South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria. The dialogues provide an opportunity to better understand the broader African climate context and challenges, as well as to unpack climate responses and to share learnings on the different approaches to achieving Just Transitions across the continent.

These dialogues will focus on the role of business in stimulating enhanced climate ambition, action, and investment, as well as unpacking the requirements for further socio-economic developments as part of the transitions to thriving, resilient, competitive economies and societies across Africa.

We invite you to this three-part series of events to engage and share learning between business and decision makers building on Africa Climate Week, Climate Week New York, and other key global moments as we head towards COP27.