By ALiyu Galadima
African Export-Import Bank ,Afreximbank, has called for increased investments in green infrastructure to address the dual challenge of environmental degradation and sustainable development across Africa.
In its newly released Trade and Development Finance Brief ,ATDFB, the bank outlined how public sector funding, development bank instruments, carbon finance, and private capital can converge to finance environmentally friendly infrastructure with minimal ecological impact.
The publication identified multilateral development banks ,MDBs, as key players in this drive.
It noted that other agencies can follow in the footsteps of the Asian Development Bank ,ADB, which has made strategic interventions, notably investing $600 million in green infrastructure in China, including converting waste into clean energy, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting green transport systems.
The bank emphasized that as climate change continues to reshape the global economic landscape, green infrastructure financing is no longer optional but essential.
The report highlights how African countries are increasingly turning to public finance tools such as green bonds, emission auctions, and budget allocations to fund infrastructure that aligns with sustainability goals.
The brief also advocated how carbon markets are emerging as viable financing streams, particularly for nations investing in emission-reduction and reforestation projects.
Afreximbank underscored the growing importance of private sector involvement through public-private partnerships and investment vehicles that promise stable returns for green projects such as renewable energy, eco-transport systems, and climate-smart agriculture.
By leveraging a mix of traditional and innovative financing mechanisms, Afreximbank said it envisions a future where African infrastructure development is not only resilient and inclusive but also climate-conscious.
