In Rabat, the ecological transition of the African continent has taken a new step. From May 19 to 23, 2025, the Moroccan capital hosted the very first PAGE (Partnership for Action on Green Economy) Regional Academy dedicated to Africa. This high-level meeting brought together seven African countries — including Senegal, Rwanda, and South Africa — around a common challenge: how to finance a green, inclusive, and sustainable economy.
A founding event for green cooperation
Supported by five UN agencies (UNIDO, UNEP, UNDP, ILO, and UNITAR), this Academy was part of the Green Synergy Week. It marks a clear desire to break down silos of knowledge and institutionalize South-South dialogue around ecological transition. Through this initiative, Africa asserts its capacity to formulate its own environmental policies and implement them collectively.
Morocco, a spearhead of green transformation
The choice of Morocco as the host country is no coincidence. The Kingdom, which ranks in the top 10 globally in the Climate Change Performance Index 2025, is often cited as a regional model. With an installed renewable energy capacity of 5.5 GW — representing 45.6% of its energy mix — and an investment plan of $12 billion to reach an additional 15.6 GW by 2030, it establishes itself as a true laboratory for energy transition in Africa.
Mohamed Ouahmid, Secretary General at the Ministry of Energy Transition, emphasized the Moroccan strategy based on three axes: massive development of renewables, improvement of energy efficiency, and regional integration. The stated goal is to achieve 52% of green energy share by 2028.
Climate finance at the center of concerns
The main difficulty raised by participants remains the issue of financing. How can countries with limited resources carry out a just transition without sacrificing social priorities? For Sam Mugume, representative of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, the green transition must ensure dignified living conditions for all. He advocates for a shift from pilot initiatives to robust national policies, supported by budget frameworks that integrate climate issues.
The Academy explored a wide range of financial solutions through six thematic modules: public budget, private financing, green taxation, carbon markets, sectoral financing, and inclusion of SMEs. This diversity reflects the complexity of a project where technical requirements, budget constraints, and social imperatives intersect.
An inclusive and hybrid learning experience
Even before the physical meeting, participants had undergone two weeks of online training based on four self-guided modules. This hybrid approach aimed to maximize exchanges while democratizing access to knowledge. More than 70 representatives from various sectors benefited from this unique co-learning space.
One of the strong focuses of the Academy was the attention given to microenterprises, women, and vulnerable populations. Discussions systematically integrated the issues of gender and territorial equity, confirming that the transition cannot be sustainable or just if it excludes.
A crossroads of ideas and practices
Far from being limited to formal sessions, the Academy functioned as a true melting pot of innovations and exchanges. The “masterclasses” allowed for in-depth exploration of strategic topics, while informal moments fostered the creation of sustainable networks among public, private, and associative actors.
Sanae Lahlou, UNIDO representative in Morocco, praised “an unprecedented convergence of expertise in the service of a greener Africa.” She also highlighted the Academy’s role in inspiring the establishment of large-scale public policies based on peer learning and the sharing of best practices.
Towards a pan-African green architecture
This first edition primarily allowed for the initiation of reflection on the transformation of current financial systems. The goal: to build a new architecture capable of sustainably supporting African ambitions for green growth. This involves, among other things, coordination platforms, specialized funds, and innovative instruments adapted to the realities of the continent.
The role of universities and training centers was also highlighted. A specific educational pathway was reserved for them, reflecting their strategic importance in disseminating the skills necessary for the transition on a large scale.
A dynamic to be sustained over time
With this Academy, Morocco confirms its positioning as a continental hub for green cooperation. The philosophy of the event — horizontality, sharing, empowerment — foreshadows new methods of environmental governance on the continent. Through concrete partnerships, such as the Atlantic corridor project, the Kingdom gives strategic significance to this dynamic.
The next editions are already scheduled, which will need to transform the momentum of this first meeting into sustainable actions at the continental level.
With Le Matin