Von der Leyen calls for African green deal

(EurActiv, 26 Apr 2021) The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Friday called for the creation of an African Green Deal which, like the European Green Deal, would be the “centrepiece” for Africa’s recovery.

Speaking in a recorded message at the opening session of the EU-Africa Forum on Green Investment in Africa, Ursula Von der Leyen called the European Green Deal the “new energy for growth and the centrepiece of recovery” of the European Union (EU).

As such, the leader of the EU executive believes that “the same can be true for Africa” through the creation of “an African Green Deal for a stronger and more prosperous Africa”.

“The green transition is not just a necessity to fight climate change. The green transition is the biggest economic opportunity of our times and can be the engine of our recovery, simultaneously in Europe and in Africa,” she stressed.

Von der Leyen gave the example of renewable energy which, “right now, is cheaper than most other energy sources and creates more jobs”, noting that, with the “right investment”, it could “drive Africa’s growing industry”.

“The potential of the green economy in Africa is huge: from waste management to climate-smart agriculture, green investment can fuel Africa’s recovery,” he continued.

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EurActiv, 26 Apr 2021: Von der Leyen calls for African green deal