UK has intensified efforts to unlock Africa’s green industrial potential, targeting up to $4 billion annually in green manufacturing revenues by 2030 through strategic investment partnerships.

This commitment was made during the Pan-African Green Business Building (GBB) forum held in Nairobi and hosted by the UK government-funded manufacturing Africa programme.

The forum brought together more than 150 stakeholders, including high-potential start-up founders, over 30 impact investors and ecosystem partners to connect capital to climate-smart industrial opportunities.

Speaking during the event, Development Director at the British High Commission Nairobi, Diana Dalton, noted that the initiative reflects the growing strength of UK-Kenya strategic partnership in advancing sustainable economic growth.

“Today’s forum is a great, green example of the innovation at the heart of the UK-Kenya strategic partnership. By connecting green manufacturing entrepreneurs with the investment they need to scale, we’re helping turn bold ideas into real, climate positive businesses that will create jobs,” stated Dalton.

“This is our modern economic partnership in action unlocking Kenyan innovation to drive sustainable growth,” she added.

Concurrently, Manufacturing Africa Programme Team Leader Thomas Pascoe pointed out that the programme is supporting emerging African enterprises at a critical stage to accelerate job creation and industrial transformation.

“We are thrilled to support the next generation of African business talent on their journey to growth and success. Supporting these entrepreneurs at this critical early stage will not only drive job creation and tax revenue but also solidify Africa’s leadership in green industrial innovation for years to come,” he expressed.

According to research by the manufacturing Africa programme, unlocking green investments could generate between $2 billion and $4 billion annually by 2030 and create at least 200,000 direct and indirect jobs in participating African countries.

The Nairobi forum featured ‘Pitch Den’ sessions where green manufacturing start-ups presented investment-ready opportunities in electric mobility, recycling, solar energy, organic fertiliser production and other innovative subsectors driving Africa’s green transition.

Notably, the event builds on the Green Business Building (GBB) Accelerator launched in January 2025 under the Manufacturing Africa programme to cultivate a thriving green manufacturing ecosystem.

Further, the three-month accelerator provides tailored mentorship, peer learning and direct access to investors to help start-ups raise capital and scale climate-positive solutions.

To date, the accelerator has supported over 50 start-ups across Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Tanzania.

In addition, Manufacturing Africa supports manufacturing businesses in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and Tanzania, and has previously extended support to Uganda.

As of July 2025, the programme had facilitated £2 billion in foreign direct investment and contributed to the creation of more than 100,000 jobs.

Meanwhile, organizers reiterated that the GBB Forum aligns with the UK government’s commitment to advancing climate action, clean energy and sustainable industrial growth across Africa.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Naif Rashid