case studies
UNEP Risoe Center – African Bankers Carbon Finance Investment Forum
In May 2007, africapractice organised the African Bankers Carbon Finance Investment Forum, together with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Division of Technology, Industry and Economics, the UNEP Risoe Center and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).
The event marked the first major forum on carbon finance in sub-Saharan Africa targeting the needs and interests of the banking and finance community. It sought to deepen the level of engagement of local banks and financial institutions in the emerging carbon market and to enhance local capacities for understanding how carbon revenues can be applied to improve the profitability and lend-ability of various investments. Finally, it sought to facilitate the financing of previously identified emission reduction activities in Africa.
The forum was also one of the few high profile non-commercial conferences that have contributed to the capacity building of key stakeholders in the African carbon market. It brought together over 150 delegates from Africa's financial community, private sector and governmental organisations, as well as investors from overseas. It also afforded entrepreneurs from across Africa, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda, the opportunity to present concrete project proposals to carbon buyers and financiers. www.carbonforum.co.za