Africa Unites the Arts, Culture and Creative Economy for ecosystem restoration with the Art2Green Africa Marketplace Initiative, have launched the Crea82Green Bank of Africa to mobilise $250 billion on Climate Finance and Green and Blue Economy empowerment in Africa.
The chief executive officer and Climate Finance Expert of the Art2Green Africa marketplace, Mr. Victor Wilkinson Agih, in a statement on Monday in Abuja explained that the launch of the Art2Green Africa Initiative taps into the incredible richness of African culture and creativity as a sustainable engine to fund environmental conservation and economic empowerment across the continent.
He stated that Art2Green represents an innovative model for domestic resource mobilisation by positioning Africa’s creative economy as an engine for financing environmental projects and green entrepreneurship.
As a Pan-African Art, Culture, Heritage and creative economy festival focused on sustainability, he said: “Art2Green will showcase the richness of African artistry on a global stage while using proceeds to bankroll high-impact green initiatives.
“For too long, the world has overlooked the incredible cultural capital that abounds across our continent,” he said.
“The Art2Green Africa Initiative will unlock that vibrant creative wealth as a sustainable funding source to restore ecosystems, build resilient communities, and empower a new generation of African environmental leaders.”
He further stated that by unleashing the power of our arts, crafts, music, dance and Heritage festivals, Africans can drive massive investment into restoring ecosystems, creating green jobs, and building resilient communities.
He said the entire African nations, the private sector, international agencies, investors and global participants all have a stake in the movement, adding that by uplifting our cultural entrepreneurs and creative innovators, Africans can drive a new era of sustainable development that respects both people and planet.
Among the major environmental and sustainable development initiatives Art2Green will fund are: the Great Green Wall; planting 25 billion economic trees to combat desertification; Green Jobs Africa; creating 25 million new Eco-Marshal jobs in environmental management.
Also, Universal Health Coverage; it includes establishing 250 million digital health wallets for underserved populations. Greenpreneurship Africa; providing 2.5 million pitch grants to green entrepreneurs.
Clean Cookstoves; distributing 250 million eco-friendly stoves to reduce emissions in Africa.
Green Volunteers; recruiting 100 million eco-citizen volunteers for conservation, and Climate Education and Leadership, offering 100 million eco-education and climate leadership scholarships.
