Climate change act, lake conservation and clean transport

The latest sustainability policy and regulatory news from Africa

During the past month, African governments and investors advanced emissions reduction policies, biodiversity protections and sustainable finance initiatives. East African countries launched a $14.5mn project to protect Lake Tanganyika’s ecosystem, while South Africa’s Climate Change Act came into force, with significant implications for carbon-intensive sectors. A pan-African sustainability council was inaugurated in Ghana, and a new transport policy summit focused on decarbonisation and digital innovation took place. Meanwhile, Swedfund committed €15mn to boost sustainable SME investment across the continent.

South Africa enacts Climate Change Act with enforcement delays

On March 17, South Africa’s Climate Change Act came into force, establishing a legal basis for national emissions targets. However, key enforcement tools — such as carbon budgets and sector-specific emissions caps — are not yet in force, pending final regulations.

This delay affects high-emitting sectors such as construction, which lack binding emissions limits despite being responsible for 7 per cent of direct and 18 per cent of indirect emissions, according to international law firm Pinsent Masons.

The National Business Initiative, a coalition of major corporations, warns that the construction sector’s emissions could rise 127 per cent by 2050 without intervention.

East African states launch major project to protect Lake Tanganyika

On April 2, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Zambia formally launched a $14.5mn project to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable fishing, and improve water security in the Lake Tanganyika basin. The five-year initiative is funded by the Global Environment Facility — the main multilateral fund supporting environmental action in developing countries — and supported by the UN Environment Programme and the UN Office for Project Services.

The project seeks to reverse ecosystem degradation across one of the world’s most biodiverse freshwater lakes. It will enforce co-ordinated fishing regulations and support the protection of key conservation areas across the basin. The project builds on a strategic plan for the lake first agreed by the four countries in 2000 and revised in 2012.

Lake Tanganyika Authority executive director Sylvain Mukanga said the initiative marked a concrete step to reverse biodiversity loss and secure the lake’s ecological and economic future.

Swedfund commits €15mn to AfricInvest Small Cap Fund to support African SMEs

On March 20, Swedfund, Sweden’s development finance institution, committed €15mn to the AfricInvest Small Cap Fund — a private equity vehicle focused on small and medium-sized enterprises across Africa. The fund targets sectors including agribusiness, healthcare, education, consumer goods, manufacturing and services.

AfricInvest integrates environmental, social and governance principles, focusing on gender equality and sustainability. At least 30 per cent of its portfolio will be invested in women-led or women-owned businesses, with climate objectives embedded into the investment process.

Swedfund investment director for sustainable enterprises Sofia Gedeon said the investment aims to drive inclusive growth, expand access to capital for underserved businesses, and set benchmarks for responsible investing.

Sustainability network launches executive council to support efforts in Africa

On March 14, the Association of African Sustainability Practitioners inaugurated its national executive council to strengthen governance and drive sustainability initiatives across Ghana and the continent. The AASuP is a pan-African network promoting sustainable development through policy advocacy, capacity building and stakeholder engagement.​

Transport summit focuses on sustainability and regional integration

On March 27, the UN Economic Commission for Africa chaired the general assembly of the African Transport Policy Programme (SSATP) in Cotonou, Benin. The meeting focused on building sustainable, integrated transport systems and brought together ministers, technical experts and private sector representatives from across the continent.

Sessions explored regional co-ordination, road safety, urban mobility and the role of digital technologies in supporting cleaner, more resilient infrastructure. A dedicated workshop examined how data-driven tools can improve transport governance and help meet decarbonisation goals.

SSATP, co-founded by UNECA and the World Bank in 1987, includes 43 member countries and works to close policy and institutional gaps in Africa’s transport sector.