The African Development Bank (AfDB) has teamed up with non-profit organisation Invest in Africa (IIA) to boost job opportunities in Ghana and Senegal through a new $850,000 grant agreement. The funding will support the MicroGREEN project, a programme designed to create decent jobs in agriculture-related sectors while promoting environmental sustainability.
The project, officially called Strengthening Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities’ Micro-Entrepreneurship for Green Jobs in Natural Resources, aims to generate up to 500 green jobs. It will focus on three high-potential areas — agroforestry, fisheries, and biodiversity conservation — all of which are key to tackling climate change and supporting local economies.
Funding for the initiative comes from the AfDB’s Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA), with additional support from the Bank’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund. The total support from both funds is expected to reach $1.85 million over two years.
According to AfDB, these sectors were chosen because they can create jobs that are climate-resilient, sustainable, and able to withstand environmental shocks. However, the Bank also noted that women and young people are still underrepresented in Africa’s green industries despite their potential to drive innovation and growth.
The FAPA grant will be used mainly for the Capacity Development and Value Chain Enhancement component of the MicroGREEN project. This will help small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly those owned or led by women and youth, to access high-quality entrepreneurship training, tailored business support, and mentorship. The goal is to equip them with skills to compete in green value chains and contribute to sustainable growth.
Many SMEs in countries like Ghana and Senegal struggle due to limited access to training and business development services. The cost of such services is often too high, and many entrepreneurs face additional barriers linked to gender, age, or disability. The MicroGREEN project seeks to close this gap by offering free or subsidised training, connecting small businesses to markets, and helping them secure financing.
Invest in Africa will take charge of implementing the project. The organisation, which has a strong track record of supporting African SMEs, works to connect local businesses to larger markets, improve their skills, and make it easier for them to get funding. Through this partnership, IIA will ensure that targeted groups receive practical training and opportunities that lead to real, sustainable jobs.
FAPA, the funding source for the project, is a multi-donor trust fund that supports technical assistance and capacity-building efforts linked to the AfDB’s Private Sector Development Strategy. Japan is its main donor, and since its creation, FAPA has financed more than 100 projects in over 38 African countries. In total, it has committed more than $80 million to improving business environments, strengthening financial systems, and growing small and medium enterprises across the continent.
By supporting MicroGREEN, AfDB and IIA hope to create a ripple effect that goes beyond the initial job creation targets. The project is expected to boost rural incomes, encourage sustainable farming and fishing practices, and increase resilience against climate change. The focus on inclusion means that women, youth, and people with disabilities will not just participate in these industries, but will have the tools and networks to thrive in them.
AfDB officials say this is part of a wider push to integrate more African entrepreneurs into green value chains and to prepare the continent for a future where sustainable industries drive economic growth. In a time when climate change is creating both risks and opportunities, the Bank believes investing in human capacity is just as important as investing in infrastructure.
The partnership between AfDB and IIA sends a strong signal that green jobs are not just a concept for developed countries but a real opportunity for African nations to combine economic growth with environmental care. For Ghana and Senegal, it is also a chance to show how inclusive strategies can lead to stronger, more resilient economies.
