A coalition of African leaders from government, finance, academia, and international development today launched the Africa Green Economy and Sustainability Institute, a new pan-African ‘do-tank’ designed to catalyse the continent’s shift to a sustainable and prosperous future.

The institute was unveiled during a high-level inaugural webinar themed ‘Setting the Stage for Africa’s Green Shift’, where speakers emphasised the urgent need to move beyond policy discussions to the implementation of concrete, bankable projects.

The webinar was chaired by emeritus professor Babajide Alo, AGESI patron and former deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos. Declaring the event open, he said, “We have moved from an era of awareness to one of necessary action… See this webinar not as a passive event but as the beginning of a vital collaboration.”

AGESI was introduced as a direct response to the continent’s most pressing question.

“The ambition is undeniable, yet a single question echoes across our continent: How? How do we move from ambition to concrete action?” asked Eugene Itua, the executive director of AGESI. “Today, we do not just launch an institute; we light a beacon… We are not a think-tank; we are a do-tank, built to cut through bureaucratic inertia and focus on tangible, life-changing results.”

AGESI, according to a statement by Mr Itua, performs the analytical role of a think-tank, but its defining purpose and measure of success is its ability to act as a do-tank—translating that intelligence into tangible action, executing projects and driving a measurable green shift for Africa. The launch drew powerful endorsements from key institutions.

Ijeoma Ozulumba, the executive director and CFO of the Development Bank of Nigeria, noted that DBN holds a unique position as the country’s only entity accredited to the Green Climate Fund.

“AGESI was conceptualised to answer this question,” she stated.

Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal declared AGESI a “vital and necessary partner”. She added, “Where government sets the direction, AGESI can help build the road.”

Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP resident representative in Nigeria, noted that AGESI’s creation fulfils a key UNDP recommendation. This was echoed by Rose Mwebaza, the director at the UN Environment Programme, who celebrated AGESI as an institution capable of ensuring Africa’s voice is “our own” and derived from African realities.

From the diaspora, Mark A.G. Brantley, premier of Nevis, championed the need for South-South collaboration, stating, “The Caribbean stands with you as a committed partner.”

Ibrahim Pam, chairman of the World Bank’s inspection panel, warned that the greatest risk to Africa’s green transition is not finance but a “failure of governance”. He cautioned against a “green resource curse” and urged AGESI to champion governance, transparency, and accountability as the “unshakable bedrock of integrity.”

The collaborative framework for AGESI’s mission became clear through remarks from its partners. Anthony Nyong, the African Development Bank’s director for climate change and green growth, said, “AGESI’s job is to be the catalyst… Our job at the African Development Bank is to finance the projects.”

Lawrence Ezemonye, chair of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, who committed the nation’s universities to serve as AGESI’s “core engine for innovation and human capital development.”

The dialogue was deepened by a Davos-style expert panel moderated by Ms Ozulumba. Ronald David Kayanja of the UN Information Centre urged AGESI to change the narrative about Africa’s capability, and Safiya Nuhu stressed that inclusive governance must deliberately close gender gaps.

Tomas Sales of the UNDP’s Africa Sustainable Finance Hub highlighted AGESI’s unique role as a neutral convener. At the same time, Mfon Ekong Usoro, a maritime governance expert, reiterated the link between the green and blue economies and the need for a domestic carbon market.

Othniel Yila of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub proposed national climate trust funds to empower communities. 

Then, Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of the Sterling One Foundation, outlined how AGESI could de-risk investments to unlock private sector capital. With its formal launch, AGESI is now poised to begin the collaborative work of building Africa’s green future.