Green is the new black

Hey,

Welcome to Green Jobs Rising!

If you’ve been following Africa’s green growth story, you know the African Development Bank (AfDB) plays a big role in financing climate-friendly projects.

Who is AfDB?

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is a multilateral development finance institution, established in 1964 and headquartered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. 

Made up of 81 member countries (54 African and 27 non-African) it is one of the largest sources of development financing for Africa, with a mandate to spur sustainable economic growth and social progress across the continent, helping reduce poverty and improve living conditions.

Why are we focused on them today?

This month, they’re backing a new initiative you’ll want to know about.

They signed an $850,000 grant with Invest in Africa (IIA) to launch the MicroGREEN project, starting in Ghana and Senegal. 

The aim? Create up to 500 green jobs in agroforestry, fisheries, and biodiversity conservation, sectors that matter for communities across the continent.

What makes this exciting is who it targets; among other groups, youth, a group often left out of Africa’s sustainable growth sectors. 

Over the next two years, MicroGREEN will deliver entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and business support to small enterprises, helping them plug into green value chains. 

By strengthening local capacity and piloting in West Africa, this project hopes to spark inclusive job creation that can be replicated across other regions, because Africa’s green transition needs all hands on deck.