With a panel of cross-sectoral experts, Diana Chepng’eno, the V20 Sustainable Insurance Facility’s Africa and Middle East Regional Coordinator, lead a discussion exploring how Africa’s banks, insurers, investors, and other financial operators can best utilise their potential for impact to make a positive difference today, covering practical innovations to safeguard against catastrophe during this recorded event.

Panellists included:

• Paul Byamugisha, Climate Finance Specialist, Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund
• Zillah Malia, Senior Manager of Climate Finance, Financial Sector Deepening Africa
• Lorraine Njue, Head of Strategy and Partnerships, African Risk Capacity
• David Asiedu, Acting Head of Trade and Value Chain, Eco Bank,
• Monday Utomwen, Chief Risk Officer, WAICA Reinsurance

On the importance of agriculture to African economies, Diana Chepngeno said “Agriculture not only feeds nations and people, it feeds economies, too, through its value chain. If the farms fail, so too does the transportation infrastructure for carrying crops, the retail industry used for selling the products, and the restaurant sector which relies on the resources. This is a short illustration of how interconnected African industries are, and the important role of agriculture in that chain. We must protect it at all costs from the adversities of climate change, and the financial sector has an important role to play.”