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Private investment in nature has surged over ten times in recent years, rising from USD 9.4 billion to over USD 100 billion, and could reach up to USD 1.45 trillion by 2030 if the current trend continues
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 9, 2026/APO Group/ —
Climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation are no longer just environmental challenges; they are now central to how investors assess resilience and long-term returns.
Nature is fundamental to large sectors of the global economy, including water security, food systems, infrastructure, and climate resilience. Yet, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the global biodiversity finance gap is estimated to reach USD 942 billion per year by 2030. Current financial flows into nature amount to around USD 200 billion annually, with just USD 35 billion coming from private capital.
Meanwhile, capital markets are evolving. Private finance for nature has surged over ten times in recent years, climbing from USD 9.4 billion to over USD 100 billion, and could potentially reach USD 1.45 trillion by 2030 if the momentum persists.
Simultaneously, carbon markets, nature-based solutions, and resilience infrastructure are increasingly considered interconnected investment themes, with new asset classes emerging in carbon, biodiversity, and climate adaptation. This convergence is reshaping investor perspectives on risk, returns, and long-term resilience, particularly in emerging markets.
Investing in Africa’s adaptation and mitigation projects is not an act of generosity; it is an investment in our common future
The economic stakes are already evident. In South Africa alone, healthy ecosystems contribute over R275 billion (around USD 14 billion) per year, accounting for at least 7% of GDP.
Across Africa, natural capital constitutes an estimated 30%-50% of total wealth in many countries, highlighting the close ties between economic growth, stability, development prospects, and climate and nature outcomes. In many African economies, natural capital forms a far larger portion of national wealth than factories or infrastructure, meaning that damage to nature can quickly lead to pressure on public finances and long-term economic stability.
Recent flooding in parts of Kruger National Park and ongoing water stress in the Western Cape have reinforced how climate and ecosystem risks directly translate into economic losses, infrastructure damage, and pressure on public finances. These are no longer peripheral sustainability issues; they are core financial and investment risks.
Against this backdrop, Africa’s Green Economy Summit (AGES) 2026 will commence with the Climate, Carbon & Nature Financing Academy on Monday, 24 February 2026, in Cape Town, preceding the main Summit from 25 – 27 February 2026. The Academy will focus on how climate, carbon, and nature can be transformed into bankable projects and investable asset classes, including through instruments such as carbon markets, green, blue, and wildlife bonds, debt-for-nature swaps, and performance-linked finance.
“The escalating impact of climate change in Africa calls for the global community and private sector to recognise that a climate-resilient Africa is essential for global stability, prosperity, and shared security. Investing in Africa’s adaptation and mitigation projects is not an act of generosity; it is an investment in our common future,” said Harsen Nyambe, Director, Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the African Union Commission.
By highlighting climate, carbon, and nature finance at the start of 2026, AGES reflects a broader market reality: these are no longer side conversations in sustainable finance; they are becoming central pillars of Africa’s investment future.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.
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