Sustainable Livelihoods and Green Entrepreneurship

Africa’s communities, particularly in rural and coastal areas, face growing socioeconomic and environmental pressures, including climate change, ecosystem degradation, and declining natural resource productivity. These pressures exacerbate poverty, food insecurity, and unemployment, particularly among women and youth, who make up over 60% of the continent’s unemployed population.

At the same time, Africa holds enormous potential for green economic growth, renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable aquaculture, and nature-based enterprise solutions. Properly harnessed, these opportunities can simultaneously enhance livelihoods, promote climate resilience, support biodiversity conservation, and advance Net Zero pathways.

The Africa Climate and Environment Foundation (ACEF) implements the Sustainable Livelihoods and Green Entrepreneurship Programme to create inclusive, resilient, and sustainable income-generating opportunities that empower vulnerable communities, particularly women and youth, while promoting environmentally responsible practices and nature-positive enterprises.

Programme Objective and Rationale

The programme’s overarching objective is to strengthen sustainable livelihoods, expand green entrepreneurship opportunities, and promote inclusive economic development, while linking these interventions to climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration, and carbon sequestration goals.

The programme is guided by the understanding that:

1. Livelihoods and ecosystems are interdependent: Healthy ecosystems underpin agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and other natural resource-based livelihoods.

2. Economic empowerment drives conservation: Sustainable income sources reduce pressures on degraded ecosystems while building resilience to climate shocks.

3. Youth and women are critical agents of change: Supporting their leadership and participation amplifies impact and fosters long-term sustainability.

Through skills development, access to green finance, and sustainable enterprise support, ACEF promotes livelihoods that are profitable, environmentally sustainable, and socially inclusive.

Strategic Context

Africa’s economic growth is closely tied to natural resources:

Over 65% of the rural population depends on agriculture, fisheries, and forestry for income.

Climate change and environmental degradation reduce productivity, costing billions of dollars annually in lost income and food insecurity.

Youth unemployment stands at over 15%, with women disproportionately affected due to structural inequalities.

Current livelihood strategies often rely on unsustainable resource exploitation, such as overfishing, forest clearing, or unsustainable aquaculture, threatening ecosystems and undermining long-term resilience.

The programme responds to these challenges by integrating sustainable practices, climate-smart technologies, and green entrepreneurship, directly contributing to:

Net Zero pathways through carbon-friendly livelihood strategies

Biodiversity conservation by promoting nature-positive enterprises

Climate resilience by diversifying income and building adaptive capacity

Programme Approach

ACEF applies a multi-dimensional, community-driven approach:

1. Sustainable Agriculture and Climate-Smart Practices

Promotion of agroecology, organic farming, permaculture, and climate-resilient crop varieties

Integration of carbon sequestration practices, such as agroforestry and soil management

Support for market access and value chain development

2. Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

Training in sustainable fish and seafood farming, including mariculture and tilapia/milkfish production

Adoption of ecosystem-friendly aquaculture practices to reduce environmental impact

Support for fish processing, storage, and value-added enterprises

3. Green Entrepreneurship and Micro-Enterprises

Development of small-scale, environmentally sustainable businesses: solar-powered services, eco-tourism, waste recycling, and green crafts

Access to seed funding, microfinance, and business incubation

Mentorship and capacity building for women and youth-led enterprises

4. Skills Development and Capacity Building

Training in financial literacy, business management, and marketing for green businesses

Environmental awareness and climate-smart resource management training

Leadership and mentorship programs for community champions

5. Market Linkages and Value Chains

Connecting local producers to regional and international markets

Support for certification schemes, eco-labeling, and sustainable sourcing

Integration of circular economy principles to reduce waste and maximize income

6. Monitoring, Learning, and Scaling

Tracking enterprise performance, environmental impact, and livelihoods outcomes

Adaptive management based on lessons learned and community feedback

Replication of successful models across other communities and ecosystems

Key Intervention Areas

1. Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry

Agroforestry, organic farming, and soil carbon enhancement

Crop diversification to increase resilience and income

2. Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries

Environmentally responsible fish farming

Value addition through processing, packaging, and market access

3. Green Micro-Enterprise Development

Eco-tourism, waste recycling, renewable energy services, and nature-positive crafts

Business incubation, technical mentoring, and access to green finance

4. Skills Development, Inclusion, and Empowerment

Youth and women prioritized in training, leadership, and enterprise support

Entrepreneurship education integrated with environmental stewardship

5. Market Access and Circular Economy Integration

Linking producers to regional and international value chains

Encouraging eco-labeling, sustainable sourcing, and reduced resource waste

Alignment with Global and Regional Frameworks

The programme contributes to:

Paris Agreement / UNFCCC: Climate-smart livelihoods and carbon sequestration initiatives

Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF): Nature-positive economic activities and ecosystem restoration

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 & 15 (Life Below Water & Life on Land)

African Union Agenda 2063: Inclusive and sustainable economic growth, youth empowerment, and environmental sustainability

Our Goal

5,000+ households and community members trained in sustainable, climate-smart livelihoods annually

1,500+ women and youth-led enterprises supported with training, mentorship, and seed funding

50+ nature-positive micro-enterprises launched or scaled

Increased income security, nutrition, and livelihoods resilience for target communities

Adoption of carbon-friendly practices, contributing to Net Zero pathways and carbon sequestration

Reduced pressure on natural resources and ecosystems through sustainable livelihood practices

Strengthened local capacity, governance, and entrepreneurial leadership for long-term sustainability