Moliehi Mafantiri presented The Green Economy: Opportunities, Sectors and Innovation at Climate Reality Asia’s Youth4COP webinar on 5 September 2026, as part of the session on Just Transition, Green Jobs and NDCs. The presentation examines how the green economy can drive inclusive growth, create decent work and support climate action.
Understanding the green economy
The green economy involves reorganising economic activity to grow prosperity while reducing emissions, environmental risks and resource pressures. It spans multiple sectors, including energy, agriculture, finance and transport, with benefits that must be shared equitably.
Green sectors and innovation
Opportunities include renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, land restoration, the circular economy, green buildings, clean cooking, sustainable transport, water management and nature-based solutions. Africa’s abundant solar resources offer significant potential, with off-grid and pay-as-you-go solar helping expand energy access through locally developed solutions.
Green jobs and a worker-centred transition
Africa could create 3.8–7.9 million green jobs by 2030 and up to 84 million by 2050. However, an estimated 86% of jobs created by 2030 could be informal, highlighting the need for decent work, labour protections, skills development and equitable access to opportunities.
Drawing on the IEJ–COSATU worker-centred framework, the presentation emphasises restructuring climate finance to prioritise workers’ ownership, risks and benefits. Public banks and climate funds can support inclusive investment, while targeted policies and reskilling are essential for communities affected by declining fossil-fuel and mining industries.
NDCs and opportunities for youth
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) increasingly incorporate green industrial strategies, adaptation and just transition commitments. Delivering these plans requires international climate finance and investment aligned with national development priorities.
Young people can contribute by developing green skills, shaping climate plans and budgets, establishing or joining green enterprises, and holding climate finance accountable for ownership, risk and public benefit.
Conclusion
A just green economy requires more than low-carbon growth. It depends on decent jobs, accessible finance, public accountability and policies that ensure workers, women, young people and communities share in the benefits of economic transformation.