{"id":256735,"date":"2023-04-05T22:33:44","date_gmt":"2023-04-05T20:33:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/?p=130563"},"modified":"2023-04-05T22:33:44","modified_gmt":"2023-04-05T20:33:44","slug":"africas-green-economy-summit-and-formula-e-provided-extra-kick-start-for-green-invasion-of-the-continent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/africas-green-economy-summit-and-formula-e-provided-extra-kick-start-for-green-invasion-of-the-continent\/","title":{"rendered":"Africa\u2019s Green Economy Summit and Formula E provided extra kick-start for green invasion of the continent"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The hugely successful Africa\u2019s Green Economy Summit held in February during the E-Fest in Cape Town, culminating in the sold-out Formula E championship race attended by more than 25-thousand people, \u201ccreated that extra kick-start for the much-needed green invasion that our continent needs\u201d says David Ashdown, CEO of VUKA Group, organisers of the summit in partnership with e-Movement and Bellcrescent Partners.<\/p>\n

Ashdown adds: \u201cIt was a great success. Besides the various presentations and discussions, we had entrepreneurs pitching projects to investors at our pitch deck lounge, and our concierge match-making service set up in excess of 120 meetings, with one project securing US$2 million in seed funding on the day. That is the excitement of creating a deal-making environment. We\u2019ve created a very robust platform to build from for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a jam-packed programme of more than 80 expert speakers, Africa\u2019s Green Economy Summit brought together financiers, project developers, and government representatives, highlighting investment prospects that exist across the continent in the fields of green hydrogen, EVs, energy storage, solar, hydro and wind energy, infrastructure development, urban sustainability as well as manufacturing.<\/p>\n

Cape Town and Western Cape proud hosts<\/strong><\/p>\n

As host province of the event during a week that loadshedding continued to cause problems for South African households and businesses alike, the Western Cape government had a strong presence at Africa\u2019s Green Economy Summit, including the Premier Alan Winde, and took every opportunity to explain the steps that the local government was taking to alleviate the effects of the current electricity crisis on consumers and businesses as well as providing opportunities for investment in the local green economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cCape Town was proud to host Africa\u2019s Green Economy Summit,\u201d says the city\u2019s Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. \u201cWe\u2019re on a mission to not only make our city the best and easiest place to do business on the continent, but also to position it as the green economy capital of Africa. But building a green economy is about far more than the City\u2019s own energy programme. The opportunities that exist in green hydrogen, energy storage, electric vehicles and a wide range of manufacturing, to name but a few, have the potential to transform our local economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Go Green Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n

Iain Banner, the founder of e-Movement, that brought the Formula E to Africa, was part of the stellar line-up of local, continental and global leaders from the spheres of politics, business and institutions. During the opening session, he announced the launch of Go Green Africa, a collaborative platform to accelerate Africa\u2019s just energy transition.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one government, organisation, or individual will ever solve the problem of climate change and environmental damage,\u201d Banner stressed, adding that the South African utility, Eskom, was a founding partner in Go Green Africa and was working with World Bank Funding on one of Africa\u2019s largest battery energy storage projects, highlighting the innovative ways the continent will collaboratively solve its energy access and security problems.<\/p>\n

Other headlining speakers included Cape Town\u2019s Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, Western Cape Provincial Minister for Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC Anroux Marais, Gautrain Management Agency CEO William Dachs, AfDB DDG Southern Africa Kennedy Mbekeani, EU Ambassador to South Africa H.E. Sandra Kramer, World Bank South Asia Regional Director of Sustainable Development John Roome as well as the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy H.E. Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, who professed to have been a racing driver in her youth, and impressed and delighted delegates during a keynote with her spirited delivery, sense of humour and depth of knowledge.<\/p>\n

Formula E inspiring example<\/strong><\/p>\n

A real-life inspiring and successful example of how a specific vision and years of patient dedication to the development of green technology can create an entirely new industry was reiterated during a session with the organisers and teams in the Formula E racing competition.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we started the Formula E 12 years ago, we had no technology,\u201d Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and CCO of Formula E remembered. Longo was involved in the regular (combustion engine) Grand Prix prior to this venture but increasingly found that sponsors wanted to be involved in greener, more sustainable branding activities.<\/p>\n

He explained that during the first four years of the Formula E competition, every team needed two cars to finish a race because of the limited range of the batteries. \u201cNow, step by step, the technology is helping us to have faster and sexier cars, and without the technology we would not be here. Twelve years ago, there were two barriers for EVs, price and range of battery. The cars and batteries are still more expensive but we are getting there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other highlights seen and heard at Africa\u2019s Green Economy Summit include:<\/strong><\/p>\n