By STAFF REPORTER
13 November 2026 – The North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane has showcased the province’s green economy investment opportunities during a high-level breakfast meeting with California and African leaders at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye. The engagement positioned the North West as a potential destination for sustainable international investment, with discussions focusing on strengthening climate cooperation between sub-national governments and connecting green investment with job creation and improved community livelihoods.
During the meeting, Lenkopane highlighted several investment opportunities in the province, including renewable energy generation and infrastructure, water resilience and catchment restoration, rehabilitation and productive reuse of mining-affected land, climate-smart agriculture and agro-processing, biodiversity-based tourism, as well as waste recovery and circular economy initiatives. Addressing delegates, she emphasised the importance of ensuring that global climate commitments translate into meaningful economic benefits for ordinary communities.
“Climate action must bring visible benefits to our people. North West has assets and communities that can be part of the solution. Collaboration and creating an enabling environment to accommodate investment are key to turning green economy opportunities into jobs, stronger livelihoods and sustainable growth.
“The meeting provided a platform for exchanging ideas and identifying shared priorities for cooperation between the North West Provincial Government and international partners,” she said.
Lenkopane indicated that any specific projects emerging from the discussions would be subjected to rigorous feasibility assessments, due diligence processes and the necessary government approvals before implementation.
