Zambia Calls for Global Backing of Africa-Led GreenTech Fund at G20 Summit

Zambia is positioning itself at the forefront of Africa’s climate innovation push, with the Minister of Technology and Science , Hon. Felix Mutati, making a strong case for global collaboration to accelerate the continent’s green transition.

Addressing the G20 Symposium on Global Justice and Solidarity virtually from Lusaka, Hon. Mutati expressed Zambia’s full support for the proposed Ecological Impact Fund (EIF) — a new financing model aimed at incentivising climate action in countries most affected by environmental degradation.

He noted Zambia’s ongoing investments in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and resilience-building initiatives. However, he stressed that addressing the climate emergency at scale requires fair access to technology, funding, and equitable partnerships.

“The climate crisis is not coming — it is here,” said Mutati to delegates from G20 member states, African governments, and international institutions. “And although Africa contributes the least to global emissions, we pay the highest price. The EIF represents a new model of partnership. It puts African ownership and local innovation at the centre, with a goal to scale up solutions that directly cut emissions and mitigate ecological damage.”

-Hon. Felix Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science, Zambia 

Co-developed by African policymakers, academics, and global experts, the Ecological Impact Fund is expected to support the development and adoption of greenovations — technologies that not only respond to climate threats but also drive inclusive development in lower-income economies.

Mutati called on fellow African nations, G20 governments, and development agencies to rally behind the EIF and enable a just transition for the continent.

“This is not charity — this is justice. Africa is ready to lead. But we need systems that are fair, tools that are accessible, and partnerships that deliver.”

–-Hon. Felix Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science, Zambia  

The G20 Symposium, co-hosted by the Government of South Africa, the University of Cape Town, and a coalition of civil society and faith-based organisations, is focused on embedding African priorities into global governance frameworks, with climate, debt, and food security high on the agenda.

Zambia’s active participation underscores its growing role in shaping global climate policy and championing green innovation that serves development, justice, and resilience across Africa.