The recently concluded Africa Climate Summit proved to be a significant event for countries and organizations dedicated to addressing climate change. During the four-day summit, themed “Driving green growth and climate finance solutions for Africa and the World,” various commitments and announcements were made, encompassing a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, multi-lateral organizations, foundations, banks, philanthropists, and United Nations agencies.
These commitments represent concrete, systematic, and sustainable plans aimed at advancing progress towards Net Zero emissions and international climate finance and adaptation goals. They are seen as the cornerstone for galvanizing urgent climate action not only within Africa but also on a global scale, establishing a clear path from Nairobi towards achieving Net Zero emissions.
In total, these commitments represent a substantial combined investment of nearly $26 billion (Sh3.8 trillion). Notable among them is the “African Leaders Nairobi Declaration On Climate Change and Call to Action,” which was endorsed by numerous heads of state, including those from Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Libya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sahrawi, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, as well as the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the President of the European Union.
Kenya took a prominent role by launching the Financing Locally-led Climate Action Programme (FLLoCA), a $49.7 million (Sh7.3 billion) investment, which President William Ruto announced to support counties through County Climate Change Investment Grants. These grants, in conjunction with county own-resource allocations of Sh3 billion, will fund local climate action initiatives, particularly in agriculture, water, and natural resources management across all counties. Kenya also introduced a new Green Growth Plan, a green hydrogen deal, Long-term Low Emissions Development Strategies, the Kenya Climate Change Act of 2023, and a National Climate Change Action Plan (2023-2027). Furthermore, Kenya is set to host the new Africa headquarters for the Global Centre for Adaptation.
The summit also witnessed a youth declaration and the launch of the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa, which includes Kenya, Ethiopia, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe. This partnership, with a strong focus on renewable energy, aims to drive green industrialization and is supported by Denmark, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates. Other important declarations and commitments came from Moroni Declaration Partner Countries and the Global Green Growth Initiative.
Numerous African nations, including Algeria, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe, pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within specific timeframes. Additionally, donor governments, such as Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and others, made substantial financial commitments to support climate projects in Africa.
The private sector was actively involved, with companies like Ampersand, HDF Energy, Leapfrog Investments, and Masdar raising significant funds for renewable energy and climate finance projects. Banks, multi-lateral organizations, foundations, UN agencies, civil society, and cities also made substantial commitments.
For instance, Nairobi, the host city, committed to reducing emissions by 23 percent by 2025 and has a long-term goal of achieving a 66 percent reduction by 2050. The city aims to become carbon-neutral by 2050.
