Poised to create a single market encompassing 1.3 billion people with an estimated GDP of $2.6 trillion, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) stands as a great initiative for Kenya.

In an ambitious push that holds the potential to lift 30 million people from extreme poverty, AfCTA seeks to be a catalyst for sustainable and green development across Africa. For Kenya, leveraging this deal is not just an opportunity but a necessity for fostering economic growth.

While free-trade agreements have faced criticism for their negative environmental footprint, often linked to increased carbon emissions, the recently adopted AfCFTA Investment Protocol presents an innovative approach to address these concerns, promoting green growth and aligning trade and investment with climate goals.

The AfCFTA Investment Protocol serves as a guide to link Africa to economic prosperity within the framework of sustainability. It outlines measures to assist economies in transforming their trade practices, including encouraging investment in green infrastructure, harmonising standards, implementing supportive policies and incentives, promoting public-private partnerships, endorsing sustainable products, and facilitating technology transfer. Achieving sustainable investment necessitates a carefully planned and phased approach that balances economic development with environmental sustainability.

That is why Kenya should consider leveraging this deal by prioritising equitable and inclusive strategies and adhering to the principle of common but differentiated responsibility as a guide to the green transition and climate financing.

The government and industries can adopt various techniques to align with the AfCFTA Investment Protocol. This entails encouraging investments in green infrastructure, such as renewable energy, eco-industrial parks, and sustainable agriculture, representing a positive step forward. Harmonising standards and standardizing regulations across the continent create a level playing field, while supportive incentives promote green infrastructure, growth, and a circular economy.

The Protocol serves as an outline for Kenya to facilitate investments supporting actions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and finance regional climate programmes.