Unleashing the potential of the private sector to drive green growth and job creation in Zambia

Abstract

The growing private sector in Africa, including micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises, is well positioned to boost green growth and associated job creation. In that regard, the private sector needs to reorient its investment to green and sustainable businesses and practices. Such a reorientation would enable the private sector to support countries in their efforts to combat the continuous threat and risks posed by high levels of poverty, the acceleration of climate change, and the degradation and loss of natural capital, including biodiversity loss and resource scarcity. The present policy brief is aimed at strengthening the knowledge base relating to green and sustainable businesses, including their role in green growth and job creation. It is also intended to provide information to guide private sector decision-making and investment, as well as the design and implementation of public policies, programmes and other interventions, to scale up green investment in the private sector. It sets out the case for policy interventions and other measures aimed at unlocking green growth and job creation led by the private sector in Zambia.