Tebogo Maake, Senior Manager for Sustainability and ESG at Nedbank South Africa (SA), will speak at the upcoming Africa Matters Summit, where leaders from finance, government, and development sectors will discuss climate action across Africa.

Maake will join the Banks and Institutional Capital panel to explain how climate risks and opportunities are shaping lending and investment decisions. He will share how Nedbank has supported projects that improve climate resilience and advance sustainable development, while exploring frameworks tailored to Africa’s needs.

He stressed that Africa should see climate change as more than a challenge. “We need to approach it as an economic opportunity,” he said. “Climate-focused projects can boost employment, strengthen infrastructure, improve food security, and support overall economic growth.” He added that Nedbank has allocated over $207 billion towards initiatives such as renewable energy, water projects, and infrastructure financing.

Collaboration is key, Maake said. Governments, financial institutions, and other stakeholders must work together to create the right conditions for investment, share knowledge, and ensure that funding reaches the projects that need it most.

He also urged a shift in perspective, encouraging Africa to be seen as a continent full of opportunity rather than climate risk. “Africa has the resources needed for a low-carbon future,” Maake explained. “The goal is to attract investment in ways that are credible, accountable, and measurable.”

Concluding his message, Maake highlighted urgency; “Delaying action will only increase costs. Decisions need to be guided by science and focused on doing the right things for the right reasons.”

The Africa Matters Summit, hosted in partnership with Wits Business School, takes place next Wednesday March 25 and will bring together thinkers and leaders from across the continent to explore solutions for Africa’s climate and development challenges.

–ChannelAfrica–