A conversation with Treezer Michelle on redefining the role of journalism in Africa’s green economy

What has your experience been like since joining the green industry, and how has it shaped the way you approach health reporting?

It’s been four months since I began reporting on Health Care Rising, a beat at the intersection of health and climate change. This space is nothing like traditional health journalism. Because it involves green business and sustainability, the stories often run deeper and demand a broader lens.

I used to report on health as a standalone issue, spotlighting problems as they appeared. But now, I find myself constantly linking these issues to the larger climate context. Sometimes the connection is clear, like malnutrition caused by food insecurity, a direct result of climate shifts. Or air pollution, which has undeniable health impacts. Other times, the links are more subtle. Tuberculosis, for example, isn’t directly tied to climate change, yet it still fits into the broader climate-health conversation depending on how you frame it.

This work has challenged me to see things differently. It’s no longer just about raising awareness. It's about making the issue matter to the right people. That means drawing in the private sector, showing them not only what’s at stake but also where the opportunities lie. How they can invest in solutions that drive business value while improving lives.

To me, this goes beyond traditional health reporting. It’s about offering solutions, sparking action, and shifting narratives. Climate health remains vastly underreported in Africa. The business of healthcare is still largely undefined, often left to philanthropists rather than structured as a space for strategic investment.

🔎 Silent signals – Who might be hiring soon

As companies announce major funding or expansion plans, it’s a good indicator that new job opportunities could be on the way. Stay ahead by keeping an eye on their growth and tracking job postings as they scale.

• Kofa is expanding its Swap & Go network and is seeking new locations across Ghana. They’re currently looking for landowners to partner with.

• Mansour Group plans to invest over $150 million in Egypt to establish a new factory assembling conventional and electric cars.

• Algeria is partnering with a local industrial firm to launch a new factory to manufacture vehicle electrical cables.

• Nigeria, through the NADDC, is advancing plans for locally assembled electric vehicles.

• Kofa also recently raised $8.1 million to scale its smart battery network across Africa.