NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 14 – Kenya is calling for closer coordination between government, businesses and training institutions to ensure the growing demand for green skills translates into jobs and new businesses.
The call was made at the GreenWorks 4 Africa: Africa Green Skills and Jobs Summit in Nairobi, where participants said investment in green industries could have limited economic impact if training programmes do not match the skills employers need.
The summit focused on apprenticeships, dual training and recognition of prior learning as ways to bridge the gap between formal training and practical skills required in the green economy.
Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Festus Ng’eno said Kenya needs practical approaches that turn the green transition into economic opportunities.
“Investing in green energy is investing in national development,” Ng’eno said.
He said green energy and related industries should be integrated into Kenya’s wider development plans rather than treated solely as environmental initiatives.
Participants also highlighted the challenge of keeping training programmes up to date as new jobs emerge in renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing and climate-smart agriculture.
Jacob’s Ladder Africa co-founder and CEO Sellah Bogonko said stronger coordination was needed among the different players involved in developing green skills.
“We must connect the dots that ensure that we are moving in the same direction, in a concerted manner and with the same effort,” Bogonko said.
The summit called for greater involvement of employers in developing training curricula, more apprenticeship opportunities and recognition of skills gained outside formal education.
Participants also backed locally driven solutions, with communities, businesses and practitioners playing a bigger role in developing green economic opportunities.
The discussions come as African countries seek to create jobs for a growing young population while responding to climate change and the shift towards cleaner production.
Participants agreed to expand the Alliance for Greening Skills and Opportunities Africa to bring together governments, employers, investors, universities and training institutions.
The focus is increasingly shifting from creating green jobs to ensuring young people have the skills, training and links to employers needed to access those opportunities.
