The Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) Eco-Club Campus Chapters have launched initiatives aimed at tackling unemployment, poverty, and environmental degradation through a green entrepreneurship conference.
The Developing Youth Ecopreneurs Conference (DYEC) brought together young innovators from across Africa to present solutions addressing climate change and waste management through entrepreneurship.
The conference served as a platform for youth from Ghana and other countries to showcase innovative projects, build networks, and explore opportunities for collaboration toward a more sustainable future.
The second edition was held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) under the theme: “Bridge, Build, Bankable: An Intergenerational Dealroom for Youth-Led Climate Enterprises for Africa’s Green Transition.” It attracted over 600 participants who took part in keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions.
Speaking at the event, Baliqees Salaudeen-Ibrahim, Climate Director at GAYO, said ecopreneurship is becoming increasingly important as global environmental challenges intensify.
She explained that DYEC is designed to connect young climate innovators with investors and mentors to help scale their ideas into viable businesses.
“We are creating a platform that connects young climate innovators with investors and mentors to strengthen their capacity and prepare their ventures for investment,” she said.
She also highlighted the role of the informal sector in job creation across Africa.
“At GAYO, we view the informal sector as a critical driver of employment. It accounts for the majority of jobs across agriculture and waste management, but is often overlooked. We are working to change that perception by promoting innovation around waste, food systems, and climate solutions,” she added.
She noted that governments must play a leading role in supporting youth-led eco-entrepreneurship, especially in the climate space.
Ghanaian musician and climate advocate Okyeame Kwame also addressed the conference, describing climate change as an opportunity rather than a threat.
“Climate change is not a doomsday prophecy. It is an opportunity for young people to build competitive global businesses,” he said.
He explained that value can be created through climate-focused innovation.
“There is money to be made from addressing environmental damage—through recycling, prevention, documentation, and creative innovation,” he added.
Okyeame Kwame called on governments to back youth-led climate initiatives with strong policies and investment, and urged individuals to take responsibility for their environmental impact.
Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, who toured the exhibition, praised the initiative and encouraged young people to turn waste into wealth.
“These are young people challenging their circumstances by using knowledge to transform waste into productive resources,” he said.
He pledged government support through the Green Jobs Initiative and urged participants to scale up their innovations beyond the conference.
The DYEC 2026, supported by GAYO, UIM Fund, and KNUST, provided young environmental leaders with a platform to present their projects and compete for financial support to scale their innovations and impact their communities.
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