President William Ruto today convened a pivotal High-Level Consultative Meeting to advance the implementation of the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative (AGII), a landmark continental effort to position Africa at the forefront of climate-smart industrial development.
Held in collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the forum brought together senior representatives from Africa’s foremost development finance institutions, commercial banks, and continental bodies, including the African Union Commission (AUC).
“The purpose of this meeting is to bring together Africa’s top financial institutions to design a robust financing framework for priority green industrial clusters,” read a statement from State House.
The AGII, formally endorsed by the African Union in February 2025, is a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating Africa’s transition to green manufacturing while fostering structural economic transformation. It builds upon commitments made under the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change, which emphasized industrialization as essential for climate-resilient growth, job creation, and sustainability.
Key participants in the meeting include the AfCFTA Secretariat, led by Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, as well as the African Development Bank (AfDB), Afreximbank, Africa50, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Standard Bank Group, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), KCB Group, and Equity Group Holdings.
According to State House, the forum seeks to mobilize not only financial commitments but also strategic partnerships, enlisting these institutions as co-architects of an African-led financing model to support climate-smart industrialization.
“This meeting marks a critical step from vision to implementation. Engaging Africa’s financial institutions as strategic partners is essential for building a green and self-reliant industrial future,” the statement added.
The AGII aims to catalyze investment in green industrial clusters across the continent, reinforcing Africa’s ambition to emerge as a central player in the global green economy while advancing its climate and development goals.
Written By Rodney Mbua
