The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has expanded its push for continent-wide green industrialization after the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) joined the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII) partnership framework during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.
The agreement adds to growing international backing for Africa-led industrialization efforts tied to the AfCFTA framework, particularly in sectors linked to clean energy, sustainable infrastructure and regional manufacturing value chains.
The partnership is expected to deepen collaboration on project preparation, investment mobilization and the development of cross-border industrial ecosystems designed to support Africa’s transition toward low-carbon growth.
The cooperation framework was signed in the presence of African heads of state and global business leaders attending the summit hosted under the leadership of William Samoei Ruto.
Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, witnessed the signing ceremony, which formally brings EBRD into the AGII partnership alongside African development finance institutions and strategic partners.
The move is noted as an increase in recognition among policymakers and financiers that Africa’s industrial transformation will require closer coordination between trade institutions, development banks and governments to scale projects beyond fragmented national initiatives.
The inclusion of EBRD is also expected to strengthen access to financing and technical expertise for green industrial projects viewed as commercially viable across African markets.
The Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative forms part of broader efforts under the AfCFTA to promote industrial competitiveness, regional integration and intra-African trade through sustainable production and infrastructure development.
