Sahara Group Advocates for Scaling Nature-Based Investments to Bolster Africa’s Climate Resilience at COP30

The Sahara Group has issued a strong statement asserting that strategically scaling nature-based solutions (NbS) across the African continent is absolutely critical for unlocking necessary climate finance, significantly accelerating adaptation strategies, and bolstering the continent’s resilience during the global transition towards a low-carbon future. Speaking at the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Belém, Brazil, Tejumade Tejuoso, the Governance and Sustainability Manager at Sahara Group, emphasized the urgent need for Africa to be more deliberate in constructing robust systems designed to protect human lives, safeguard livelihoods, and preserve essential ecosystems. She stressed that securing the right kind of financing is a crucial moment for the continent, and that the energy transition must occur in a manner that is just, responsible, and maintains development firmly at its core. Despite Africa contributing minimally to the world’s overall emissions, the continent faces disproportionate and severe climate impacts, which underscores the immediacy of taking responsible, well-funded, and development-aligned actions. Tejuoso highlighted the Adopt-a-Forest initiative as a cornerstone of Sahara Group’s nature-based interventions, noting that the conglomerate is actively driving the widespread restoration of critical forest and mangrove ecosystems across its operational regions. The company maintains an ambitious target of planting a minimum of 1,000,000 trees. Examples of their environmental work include the restoration of a 34-hectare arboretum in Côte d’Ivoire, landscape regeneration efforts in Nigeria that have seen over 23,900 trees planted, and strengthened mangrove restoration in Kenya. This extensive work is simultaneously rebuilding natural ecosystems, enhancing the vital carbon sequestration potential, and directly strengthening community resilience against climate shocks. Finally, she emphasized the company’s proactive preparation for the new global sustainability disclosure standards, IFRS S1 and S2, which are slated to become mandatory for public-interest entities by 2028, ensuring Sahara remains compliant with future global requirements.