How Africa can build a green economy

Africa is incredibly rich in natural resources – from lush forests and fertile soils to a third of the world’s biodiversity. But this natural wealth is as vast as it is vulnerable. 

The impacts of the climate crisis are intensifying across the continent. Unpredictable rainfall, land degradation and extreme temperatures pose growing threats to those who depend on these resources. 

This reality, combined with global cuts to aid and Africa’s unique demographics – with nearly half of the continent’s population under the age of 20 – calls for bold ideas to create long-term opportunities. 

How can we reverse this trend and build a cycle of prosperity by working with nature rather than against it? Can Africa lead the world in protecting its ecosystems, while also creating millions of green jobs and livelihoods? 

In Episode 3 of TalkLandscape, we’ll explore how to redefine prosperity and build resilient communities through ecosystem restoration, environmental conservation and local innovation. 

From youth-led restoration initiatives to policy shifts and community-led economic models, we’ll chat with experts on how we can open pathways that make both people and nature thrive. 

Join us on Tuesday, 10 June at 11:00 UTC for a conversation with Sydner Kemunto, a 2025 Dryland Restoration Steward, Nadia Sitas, ecosystem-based adaptation thematic lead for the Climate & Development Knowledge Network at SouthSouthNorth, and Kofi Akamani, professor of forest recreation and conservation social science in the Department of Forestry at Southern Illinois University. 

Meet our guests from this episode:

Sydner Kemunto is a young climate justice advocate and an eco-feminist who believes in the power of African women and nature. She is passionate about inspiring women, especially those in marginalized communities, to lead in sustainable farming and environmental conservation efforts. Through her work with Kijani Mtaani, she focuses on addressing the intersection of gender, the climate crisis and food security, advocating for climate justice and the restoration of degraded lands. Sydner is committed to building resilient communities by promoting equitable access to resources and creating opportunities for women to thrive in harmony with nature. 

Nadia Sitas is the ecosystem-based adaptation thematic lead for the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and a research fellow at the Centre for Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University. She has over 15 years of experience working at the interface between research, policy and practice. Her work seeks to identify windows of opportunity to shift systems towards more equitable and resilient development trajectories by addressing issues linked to structural inequalities and power asymmetries linked to natural resource governance. She has been an expert in multiple IPBES Assessments, notably a lead author in the IPBES Values Assessment and a coordinating lead author in the recently approved IPBES Nexus Assessment. 

Kofi Akamani is a professor of forest recreation and conservation social science in the Department of Forestry at Southern Illinois University. He conducts research in rural communities in Ghana and the U.S. to better understand and enhance the resilience of rural resource-dependent communities and the adaptive governance of forests, water resources and agricultural landscapes in the face of climate change impacts and other change drivers. Akamani is one of the lead authors of IUFRO’s global assessment report Forests as Pillars of Social and Economic Resilience. 

And we want to hear from you: what would a nature economy look like in your community? Share your thoughts on social media using #TalkLandscape – we’ll highlight some of your answers during the episode!