At a high-level side event as part of the 4th G20 Development Working Group (DWG) meeting, AUDA-NEPAD issued a powerful call to action: institutionalise Life Economies as a unifying framework to accelerate delivery and finance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
In a compelling keynote, Dr. Patrick Olomo, Acting Director of Economic Development, Integration and Trade at the African Union Commission, underscored the urgency and opportunity of the moment: “Traditional GDP-driven models have taken us far, but the challenges and opportunities our nations face today demand new economic frameworks. Life Economies represent precisely that alignment—economic systems that embed well-being, shared responsibility, and environmental stewardship at their core.”
Dr. Olomo emphasized that, “This is not theory, it’s emerging practice in all G20 countries. Let us, in this room, sow the seeds of a new development paradigm, one where prosperity means flourishing societies and thriving ecosystems, not just economic growth alone.”
In his closing statement, Prof. Bartholomew Kingsly Armah emphasized that Life Economies are no longer aspirational concepts. From social protection and ecological regeneration to inclusive finance and new corporate forms, Life Economy principles are operational realities, shaping policies, enterprises, and legal reforms across regions. They offer a people- and planet-centered development model aligned with the SDGs and Africa’s Agenda 2063., “This isn’t just theory—it’s a call to action.”
The event, titled “Growing Life Economies for Scaling Finance and Delivery of the SDGs and Agenda 2063,” brought together senior policymakers, development experts, and thought leaders from India, Brazil, Germany, the African Union, the European Union, and international organizations. Speakers showcased how Life Economy strategies, such as circular economy policies, social stock exchanges, and well-being budgets, are delivering tangible results in job creation, climate resilience, and social equity.
Prof. Armah underscored the urgency of moving from “fragmented initiatives to coordinated and scalable interventions.” He highlighted the Global Alliance for Life Economies Research and Innovation (GALERI) as a voluntary, inclusive mechanism for collaboration, evidence-sharing, and policy co-creation, offering a concrete path to institutionalise momentum and scale impact across G20 countries and beyond.
AUDA-NEPAD reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Life Economies as a practical and transformative model aligned with DWG priorities, including social protection floors, domestic resource mobilization, and finance for sustainable development. The event concluded with a heartfelt acknowledgment of South Africa’s leadership and the contributions of Ms. Josephilda Nhlapo-Hlope, Chair of the G20 DWG, for championing this platform under South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
