African governments have made ambitious climate pledges and adopted bold net-zero strategies. Yet for many young people across the continent, access to green jobs, entrepreneurship opportunities, and sustainable livelihoods remains uneven and uncertain. Why does this gap persist, and what would it take to close it?

This webinar brings together researchers and practitioners to examine the disconnect between high-level climate commitments and the realities facing young Africans in the emerging green economy. Through different perspectives, the session will explore whether current policies, investments, and programmes are creating meaningful opportunities for youth or are leaving many behind.

The discussion will consider key questions such as: What has the net-zero transition and climate finance landscape delivered so far, and how much is reaching youth-led green sectors? How are green economy ambitions translating into real employment opportunities in sectors such as urban construction? What have youth-focused green jobs programmes achieved, and where are their limitations? Are national policy frameworks coherent enough to support youth inclusion in green technology and innovation, or do structural barriers continue to constrain progress?

Bringing together evidence from policy, practice, and local experience, the webinar will conclude with a forward-looking discussion on the single biggest bottlenecks standing between climate ambition and inclusive green livelihoods for young Africans.

Speakers:

• Serwah Prempeh, Senior Fellow and Head of the Just Green Technology Transition Programme at the Africa Policy Research Institute
• Abbi Kedir, Director of Research at the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC)
• Babette Never, Senior Researcher at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
• Joscha Betke, Knowledge broker at The Broker, providing accessible and evidence-based knowledge for Dutch-African knowledge and coalition-building platforms on inclusive development (INCLUDE)

Moderator: Phemelo Tamasiga, Senior Researcher at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)

Register here