Jacob’s Ladder Africa to Host Inaugural GreenWorks 4 Africa Forum in Nairobi
Jacob’s Ladder Africa has announced the inaugural GreenWorks 4 Africa Forum, set to take place from 11–13 August 2026 in Nairobi, in a move aimed at accelerating green enterprise creation and expanding employment opportunities across the continent.
The forum, organised by the pan-African youth-focused organisation, will bring together policymakers, private sector leaders and civil society organisations to develop practical solutions for advancing Africa’s green economy. Unlike traditional conferences, the event will adopt a case-study-driven format, allowing participants to collaboratively design actionable strategies that position Africa as a global leader in green enterprise development.
Jacob’s Ladder Africa is a Pan-African non-governmental organization that acts as a catalytic integrator of youth-led green enterprise growth as a pathway to inclusive, climate-resilient economic transformation. It supports the development and scaling of enterprises that create employment, deliver climate solutions, and strengthen economic resilience.
The initiative comes amid growing projections that the green economy could unlock millions of jobs across Africa. According to the International Labour Organization, the sector could generate more than 60 million jobs by 2030, particularly in energy, waste management and natural resource sectors.
Speaking ahead of the event, Sellah Bogonko, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Jacob’s Ladder Africa, said the continent’s green growth potential will only be realised if the right systems are put in place.
“The potential for growth in Africa’s green economy is undisputed. However, these projections will only become reality if we build the infrastructure needed for green enterprises to thrive. GreenWorks 4 Africa is designed to convene the strategic actors required to translate this potential into tangible outcomes,” she said.
Bogonko added that the forum will also help sustain the momentum of African climate leadership as the continent prepares for COP32 expected to take place in Addis Ababa.
The upcoming forum builds on the outcomes of the Second Africa Climate Summit, where Jacob’s Ladder Africa hosted the first pavilion dedicated to green jobs and skills development, bringing together governments, businesses and civil society to promote workforce development in the climate sector.
Over the three-day event, participants will engage in thematic working rooms to conduct sector-specific discussions and design implementable solutions. Key focus areas will include renewable energy and productive energy use, e-mobility and green infrastructure, climate-resilient agriculture and food systems, circular industry and waste management, natural capital enterprises, and industrial decarbonisation.
The forum is expected to deliver an African Toolkit for Green Jobs Development, drawing from case studies and investment-ready models, as well as a proposed Green Jobs Taxonomy for Africa aimed at guiding sustainable investment and policy development across the continent.
