ADB, INVEST IN AFRICA LAUNCHES MICROGREEN PROJECT TO EMPOWER WOMEN, YOUTH, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE GREEN ECONOMY

AfDB and Invest in Africa launch $1.85M MicroGREEN project to empower women, youth, and persons with disabilities with sustainable green jobs

Africa Green jobs Empowernment Investment Society Development Climate-conscious economies.
African Development Bank (AfDB)
African Development Bank (AfDB)



The African Development Bank (AfDB), in partnership with non-profit organisation Invest in Africa (IIA), has launched a transformative initiative to expand Africa’s green economy while directly empowering women, youth, and persons with disabilities in Senegal and Ghana.

Backed by an $850,000 grant from AfDB’s Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA) and an additional contribution from its Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund, the MicroGREEN project will provide training, mentorship, and market access to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in agriculture-linked sectors. Over two years, total funding for the programme is expected to reach $1.85 million.

Unlike traditional job-creation initiatives, MicroGREEN places inclusivity at its core. The programme aims to generate 500 climate-resilient jobs in agroforestry, fisheries, and biodiversity conservation industries chosen for their potential to drive sustainability, withstand environmental shocks, and open new markets for entrepreneurs.

“Women and young people remain underrepresented in Africa’s green industries, despite their capacity to spark innovation and lead sustainable growth,” AfDB noted. MicroGREEN seeks to close this gap by offering free or subsidised entrepreneurship training, strengthening green value chains, and equipping marginalised groups with tools to thrive.

Many SMEs in Ghana and Senegal face hurdles such as high training costs, limited business development services, and systemic barriers linked to gender, age, or disability. Through targeted capacity development, the project will help break these barriers, enabling entrepreneurs to access mentorship, financing opportunities, and direct market linkages.

Implementation will be spearheaded by IIA, an organisation with a strong record of connecting African SMEs to larger markets and financial support. By focusing on real-world, practical training, IIA will ensure the project translates into sustainable business opportunities and long-term employment.

FAPA, the main funding vehicle, has already committed more than $80 million to over 100 private sector projects across 38 African countries, with Japan as its principal donor. By supporting MicroGREEN, AfDB and IIA are not only investing in people but also laying the foundation for more inclusive and climate-conscious economies.

Beyond its initial job creation target, the programme is expected to raise rural incomes, encourage eco-friendly farming and fishing practices, and increase resilience to climate change impacts. For Ghana and Senegal, it represents a model of how inclusive green growth can simultaneously strengthen livelihoods and protect natural resources.

AfDB officials say this partnership reflects a wider vision of integrating African entrepreneurs into sustainable value chains. “Investing in human capacity is as critical as investing in infrastructure,” the Bank emphasized, underscoring that Africa’s transition to a green economy must be both people-centred and inclusive.

The collaboration sends a powerful message: Africa’s green future will not be built on exclusion, but on empowering those who have historically been left behind.

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