Green Investment Regulation in Africa: Toward a Continental Green Taxonomy
摘要
This chapter examines the state of green investment regulation in Africa and proposes the development of a unified continental green taxonomy as a critical step toward mobilizing sustainable finance and supporting climate-resilient development. While many African countries have introduced green finance policies, the regulatory landscape remains fragmented, with inconsistent definitions and standards that hinder cross-border investments and increase the risk of greenwashing. Building upon global best practices and tailored to regional needs, the chapter outlines guiding principles and a proposed framework for a pan-African green taxonomy that reflects the continent’s unique development challenges and environmental priorities. It explores implementation barriers including regulatory divergence, limited data infrastructure, and institutional capacity constraints, while highlighting opportunities for regional cooperation, digital innovation, and inclusive market participation. The chapter concludes with policy directions for national governments, regional institutions, and financial actors to embed the taxonomy into Africa’s broader sustainable finance architecture. A well-designed and operationalized taxonomy, the chapter argues, is essential for scaling green investment, fostering transparency, and achieving Africa’s long-term climate and development goals.