OUR STORY
A South African non-profit company launched during the inaugural Cape Town E-Prix in February 2023, Go Green Africa was envisioned as a year-round platform for the race sponsors and associated organisations to take Formula E’s sustainability and e-mobility focus forward to drive lasting action in the Western Cape and beyond on the African continent.
In mid-2024, we evolved the focus of the non-profit to work with partners and supporters to create impact in the green economy ecosystem by connecting stakeholders and delivering meaningful projects and programmes. We grew as an educator and facilitator to African organisations shifting there modus operandi to be geared towards positive commitment and alignment to the United Nations 17 SDG's.
With continental ambitions, our partnership network includes expertise from the public, private, non-profit, and academic sectors.
Directors
David Ashdown, CEO, VUKA Group
David Ashdown is an owner, founder, coach and currently the CEO of VUKA Group, a leading platform driving change across Africa’s key industries. With over 25 years of experience in shaping global business connections, David has developed an unrivalled understanding of Africa's emerging markets. Under his leadership, VUKA Group has become a prominent force in facilitating trust-based relationships, connecting organisations with vital information and stakeholders, and fostering sustainable progress. David’s vision for VUKA Group reflects his deep commitment to Africa’s growth and its integration into the global economy.
Iain Banner, Founder and CEO, Go Green Africa
For over 35 years, Iain Banner has founded or co-founded various successful businesses and charitable ventures throughout the world, across the sports, entertainment, luxury goods and hospitality industries. As co-founder and Chairman of E-Movement, Iain and his partners successfully staged ‘FORMULA E CAPE TOWN’ in February 2023. They also co-founded ‘AFRICA’S GREEN ECONOMY SUMMIT’, launched FORMULA STUDENT AFRICA and staged the ‘ELECTRIC’ Festival. Additionally, Iain founded ‘GO GREEN ARICA’.
Previously, Iain co-founded Sports International, the Gary Player Design Company, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the Laureus World Sport Awards and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, using sport as a tool for social change in the lives of children. Independent assessments have shown that some 6.5m children have been positively impacted by the work of the Sport for Good Foundation.
WHY TAKE ACTION?
Many barriers to climate change mitigation and adaptation: “...inadequate financial resources, a lack of human capacity at the provincial and local levels, limited political will at the local level, limited understanding of climate change adaptation issues [...], inadequate coordination across government levels and sectors” etc. > Source
Beyond climate benefits: “The “great green transformation” is not only possible, but also the most viable route for a truly African owned process, built on Africa’s energy independence and its ability to massively multiply trade and investment. It can allow African countries to reclaim agency in their own development narrative.” > Source
High returns in green sectors: “Studies [...] have demonstrated higher returns on investment in green sectors [...] with sustainable value chains generating gross value addition of up to 420% while creating up to 250% more jobs.” > Source
Disproportionate vulnerability to climate change: “While Africa has contributed negligibly to the changing climate.. it stands out disproportionately as the most vulnerable region in the world.” > Source
Lack of energy access: “Eastern and Southern Africa accounts for more than half of the world's unelectrified population (675 million)...” > Source
SMEs can be a key driver: “Integral in addressing climate change since they make up most of the private sector in sub-Saharan Africa.” Source