When you talk to farmers in Machakos struggling with failed rains, families in Lagos wading through flooded streets, or fishermen in Mombasa watching their catch decline as oceans warm, one truth becomes clear: climate change in Africa is not a distant threat. It is here with us, changing how we live, what we eat, and how we work.

For years, governments and institutions have been crafting bold sustainability policies. Kenya has pledged to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, Nigeria is advocating for an electric vehicle policy to reduce emissions, and South Africa has secured billions to shift from coal to clean energy. On paper, these commitments demonstrate ambition. But for the farmer, the trader, the student, or the mother at the marketplace, the real question remains: when will these promises translate into action they can feel in their daily lives?

To bridge the gap between policy and people, three major shifts are necessary.

First, businesses must stop treating sustainability as a side project. Imagine if every bank considered climate risk before lending, every food company invested in restoring the soils it relies on, and every factory designed products with recycling in mind. It would not only protect the planet, but also safeguard jobs, reduce costs, and create new opportunities for growth. A green business is not just a responsible one; it is a resilient one.

Second, we must invest in young people and grassroots innovators. Across Africa, young minds are already developing solutions: mobile apps that help farmers adapt to changing weather, clean cooking stoves that conserve forests while improving health, and recycling hubs that transform waste into valuable resources. These ideas may be small at first, but with proper investment and support, they can transform entire communities. Africa’s future depends on unlocking the energy and creativity of its youth.

Third, partnerships must be genuine and practical. Too often, collaborations are limited to press statements and donor conferences. But real change occurs when communities, businesses, and governments come together with a shared purpose. Picture a partnership where a bank finances solar-powered irrigation, an agritech start-up trains farmers to use it, and the community gains food security while building resilience. That is the kind of partnership Africa needs more of – ones that bring solutions to life on the ground.

Africa possesses everything needed to spearhead a green revolution: the sun, the wind, fertile lands, rich biodiversity, and, most crucially, its people. What is lacking is the urgency to translate policy into action.

Sustainability isn’t about ticking boxes in glossy reports or planting trees just for a photo. It’s about protecting our rivers so children can drink clean water, restoring forests so farmers can harvest without fear, and building cities where families can breathe safely. It’s about dignity, survival, and hope for future generations.