Africa is embracing cleantech innovation to drive sustainable development, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and foster economic growth. A robust cleantech policy framework is essential for promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in clean technologies across the continent.

Key Initiatives and Frameworks

• Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP): Led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), GCIP promotes cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship in emerging markets and developing economies, including several African countries like Nigeria, Namibia, Morocco, Senegal, and South Africa.
• National Cleantech Innovation Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (CIEE) in Nigeria: Launched by the Nigerian government with support from GCIP, CIEE aims to foster innovation, support startups and SMEs in cleantech, drive economic development, enhance renewable energy access, and contribute to climate change actions ¹ ².

Objectives and Strategies

• Transformative Cleantech Solutions: GCIP supports early-stage SMEs developing cleantech solutions through business acceleration services, including pre-accelerator, national and global accelerators, and post-accelerator support.
• Strengthening Cleantech Innovation Ecosystems: Building capacity within national institutions and partner organizations for sustainable implementation of cleantech ecosystems and accelerator approaches.
• Gender and Youth Inclusion: Promoting equal opportunities for women and men, and increasing participation of women and youth in cleantech entrepreneurial activities.

Impact and Goals

• Mitigating GHG Emissions: GCIP aims to cumulatively mitigate direct GHG emissions of at least 2,225,000 CO2e and indirect emissions of at least 11,275,000 CO2e.
• Supporting SMEs: GCIP targets supporting at least 1,250 SMEs by 2025, with 35-40% being women-led.

Challenges and Opportunities

African countries face challenges like insufficient policy and regulatory support, limited financing opportunities, and weak innovation ecosystems in cleantech. However, initiatives like GCIP and Nigeria’s CIEE demonstrate opportunities for growth, innovation, and sustainable development in Africa’s cleantech sector.