As the EU redefines its green industrial policies with the Clean Industrial Deal, the scope and challenges for African green industrialisation is becoming clearer. Some areas are moving faster than others. CRM partnerships face major demand and finance constraints, while e-mobility manufacturing is starting to pick up pace across the continent. Several countries are positioning themselves as hydrogen economy hubs and exporters of H2 derivatives, moving from announcements to first generation infrastructure deals.

ECDPM has been analysing the political economy of clean economy transitions in Europe and African countries, with deeper dives in battery manufacturing, and energy-intensive industries like green ammonia production for fertilisers and green steel production. Relatedly, we also looked at African countries' approaches to managing critical raw materials, the CBAM’s impact on their trade, the challenges around Just Energy Transition, and the complexities involved in reforming African energy systems. These studies highlight that while there are numerous opportunities for green industrialisation and green transition, significant barriers to implementation and tensions in the Africa-EU relationship exists. How can bridges be built to grasp emerging opportunities and overcome the barriers?

This event will discuss the evolving environment for African green industrialisation and the opportunities and challenges for striking mutually beneficial deals between Europe and African countries. It will connect leading African and European experts on green industrialisation and economic transformation for a discussion on how to maximise opportunities, while managing tensions and trade-offs. 

Programme

• Welcome and opening remarks
• Presentation on African green industrialisation
• Panel discussion: 
  • Nimrod Zalk – Chief Research Officer: Climate and Development at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance.
  • Carlijn Nouwen – Co-Founder at the Climate Action Platform for Africa (CAP-A).
  • Tibor Stelbaczky – Principal Adviser on Energy Diplomacy at the European External Action Service.
  • Theo Acheampong – Head of Research and Markets at Critical Minerals Africa Group and Visiting Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
• Q&A
• Closing