Under the theme “From ambition to action: scaling up investment in Africa's green and blue solutions”, Matsi Modise, Head of Africa at the World Climate Foundation, outlined three ways Africa can help green and blue entrepreneurs reach their full potential. Modise was speaking at the 2026 Africa Green Economy Summit held at the Century City Convention Center in Cape Town.
Modis says those who have the power to do so must build their confidence and mindset, unlock practical skills and financial resources, and create a supportive ecosystem that rewards impact.
1. Inspiring Confidence
First and foremost, entrepreneurs shaping the future of the continent need confidence.
She says, “Many entrepreneurs in the green and blue economy do not lack ideas. They lack the confidence that their ideas are bankable, scalable and worthy of investment.”
“They are often told, directly or indirectly, that sustainability is a good thing; it is something for NGOs and not a serious business imperative.
“We need to change that narrative. We need to continually explain that green and blue businesses are not charity projects.”
“They are future-proof businesses that add value to sustainable management.”
Teboho Makhabane of Sanlam Investments: African youth are the key to unlocking just energy transition
2. Practical Skills
To move green and blue entrepreneurs from ambition to action, more practical advice with real-world relevance is needed.
Modis believes these programs should teach how to get a solar project off the ground so the business survives, how to negotiate supply contracts, how to present investors in simple language, how to measure both benefits and impacts without getting lost in complex frameworks, and simplify access to finance.
She advises green and blue entrepreneurs that they need to be able to articulate, especially to investors, the value they are getting with their ideas and businesses.
“Passion for the planet is not enough to build a business. Entrepreneurs need financial literacy, market access, technical skills, and the ability to navigate regulations and funding processes,” Modise says.
“Too often, we run workshops that inspire but don't really equip.
“We talk about climate change but not about pricing models. We talk about sustainability, but not about customer acquisition. We talk about impact but not about cash flow.”
Modis also recommends that funding requests be simplified so that these entrepreneurs are not overwhelmed and discouraged by 30-page forms that require complex compliance requirements and global responses from their businesses.
“Enabling the next generation means designing funding that matches the reality of early-stage entrepreneurs; small tickets, fast decisions, blended finance that determines both financial returns and measurable environmental impact and perhaps, most importantly, patient capital that understands and builds a sustainable business.
“It sometimes takes longer but creates deeper and more resilient value.”
#Sona2026: Government eyes green energy, critical minerals to boost economy and jobs
3. Creating an ecosystem of support
The final step in enabling the next generation of green and blue entrepreneurs? Creating an ecosystem of support that helps them navigate the business world.
“They succeed in an ecosystem network of advisors, clients, regulators, investors, and peers that make it easy to start, test, fail, pivot, and grow,” she says.
He believes cross-sector collaboration can make this ecosystem a reality – from open procurement systems, to purchasing from green startups, to encouraging students at universities to commercialize climate innovations.
“Investors can't do it alone. Universities can't do it alone. Corporations can't do it alone, but together we can do more,” she says.
Finally, she calls on practitioners to do more, as they sometimes become problematic.
“We are incubators and accelerators that have cookie-cutter programs, but don't necessarily understand the entrepreneurs themselves and the opportunities.
“We are financial institutions that collect all this global funding because there is a lot of money out there.
“But we don't deliver it or create a system in which you can actually help these entrepreneurs get in place and get ready.”
#MiningIndaba: The role of black-owned SMEs in transforming South African mining
Don't be a poet, be a plumber
Modise challenged investors and policy makers not to be poets, but plumbers to enable the continent's blue and green entrepreneurs to truly thrive.
“Let's get our hands dirty. Let's not be afraid to solve real problems.
“The next generation of African green and blue entrepreneurs needs us to clear paths, break down barriers, and open doors that have been historically closed.
“If there is ever a time to make a difference on our African continent, it is now.
“We may have missed the gold race, the oil race, but now we have the green and blue race, and it is time for African entrepreneurs to stand up and contribute to the continent,” he said.