Can accelerator programs catalyze private investment in climate-smart agriculture? Lessons from Southern Africa
This workshop at the Innovate4Climate conference explored how accelerator programs in Southern Africa help catalyze private sector investment for climate-smart agriculture.
Playback the session
Background
Catalyzing private finance is imperative in closing the funding gap for climate action.
Despite above-market growth rates for impact-focused funds, many ventures still lack funding - especially in frontier markets.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in global investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems. Vast sums are invested annually in agriculture, but we need to make this finance work harder to move farmers and nature on to more sustainable and resilient pathways. We need clearer strategies to scale and bundle private sector led innovations for climate information services and climate-smart agriculture, especially in countries on the frontline of climate change.
This workshop will share the experience of private sector innovation accelerator programs, particularly from Southern Africa. It will highlight – among others – the work led by a Zambia based team, as part of the $60m World Bank supported project ‘Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa’.
Program and Speakers
| Time | Program | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 13:10 - 13:15 | Welcoming and Introductions | Lindsey Knowles Larson, Agriculture Economist, Agriculture and Food Global Practice, World Bank |
| 13:15 - 13:22 |
Keynote: AICCRA private sector innovation accelerator program in South Africa |
Inga Jacobs-Mata, Country Representative South Africa, International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and AICCRA Zambia Cluster Lead |
| 13:22 - 13:50 |
Panel Discussion: Can accelerator programs catalyze private investment in Climate-Smart Agriculture? |
Moderator: Lindsey Knowles Larson, Agriculture Economist, Agriculture and Food Global Practice, World Bank
Panelists:
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| 13:50 - 13:55 | Live Q&A | |
| 13:55 - 14:00 | Closing | Lindsey Knowles Larson, Agriculture Economist, Agriculture and Food Global Practice, World Bank |
What is the 'Innovate4Climate' Conference?
Innovate4Climate is the preeminent global event on climate finance, climate investment and climate markets.
The I4C 2022 edition will be held virtually over 3 days, from May 24-26. The three day program includes high-level plenaries and workshops that provide a forum for practitioners to demonstrate how to achieve a resilient and low-carbon future and space where public and private sector organizations showcase their climate action initiatives and engage with participants.
Visit the innovate4climate conference website for further information.