Nairobi hosts EU-Africa Green Talk dialogue on sustainable development impact of local projects; Dialogue between European Investment Bank, Portuguese Embassy in Kenya, financial community and development stakeholders confirms importance of green investment.

The Secretary General of East African Community today joined more than 150 African business leaders, financial experts and diplomats in the Nairobi EU-Africa Green Talk to share investment best practice and outline how to mobilise private sector support for sustainable development across Africa.

“Recent innovative investment across East Africa has transformed access for millions of people to clean water, renewable energy and finance essential for a better and more sustainable future. Today’s Nairobi Green Talks allow innovative solutions and technical best-practice to be shared with the rest of Africa and the world. The East African Community commends the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union and the European Investment Bank for their engagement with East African partners to further strengthen sustainable investment in the years ahead.” said Dr Peter Mathuki, incoming Secretary General of the East African Community.

Partnership between Africa and Europe is key to increasing investment essential to combat climate change and create new opportunities

Participants highlighted how recent and future private sector led clean energy, sustainable transport and business investment across East Africa can unlock economic opportunities, strengthen resilience to COVID-19, increase protection from a changing climate and ensure more sustainable use of resources in the future.

“Partnership between Africa and Europe is key to increasing investment essential to combat climate change and create new opportunities. The Portuguese EU Presidency and European Investment Bank are pleased to join forces with East African business, political and conservation partners to learn from each other and ensure that lessons learnt in East Africa can make a enhance sustainable development around the world. The impressive examples of successful sustainable investment from across this region will be shared with Africa, European and global green leaders in Lisbon later this month.” said H.E. Luisa Fragoso, Ambassador of Portugal to Kenya.

The practical discussions included examples of how conservation investment was protecting thousands of jobs in rural communities and how technology is improving opportunities for low-income small-holders across Kenya.

“Today’s Nairobi Green Talks bring together private and public partners from across East Africa. Together we share a common goal of accelerating and increasing sustainable investment that both unlocks economic and social opportunities, and ensures a more sustainable future for this planet and its people.” said Catherine Collin, Regional Representative of the European Investment Bank in East Africa.

“In recent years floods and drought across Ëast Africa have shown the devastating impact of a changing climate on livelihoods, business and infrastructure. TradeMark East Africa is committed to addressing increasingly severe climate change impacts on economic activity and trade. We aim to catalyse green growth, exports and investment through improved trade systems and corridors. However more trade can mean more emissions, so it is important to invest in reducing the carbon footprint of trade. Private sector capital will have a key role to play in making this a reality The Nairobi Green Talks show how African and international partners are working together to deliver a green transition and more sustainable future.” said Frank Matsaert, CEO of Trade Mark East Africa.

The virtual dialogue, organised by the European Investment Bank and Portuguese Embassy in Kenya, and moderated by Trade Mark East Africa CEO Frank Matsaert, is one of more than 25 events being held across Africa and Europe ahead of the High-Level Green Investment Forum taking place in Lisbon on 23rd April.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of European Investment Bank (EIB).