African leaders have launched a major push to position the continent as a global climate leader, announcing over $150 billion in new green finance commitments at the Second Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- African leaders convened at the Second Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to position the continent as a climate action leader.
- Participants signed the Addis Ababa Declaration, emphasizing Africa’s role in providing climate solutions despite being a low greenhouse emissions contributor.
- Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative and Ghana’s REDD+ program are examples of localized efforts to combat deforestation and promote reforestation.
The three-day summit brought together heads of state from across Africa and international partners, as leaders set out their priorities ahead of the COP30 climate talks taking place later this year in Brazil.
At the end of the summit, leaders signed the Addis Ababa Declaration, pledging to turn Africa into a centre for climate solutions.
They said Africa contributes the least to global greenhouse gas emissions but suffers some of the worst effects, from floods to droughts.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Africa should be seen as a partner in solving the climate crisis, not just as a victim of it.
He also announced that Ethiopia will bid to host COP32 in 2027. “Africa did not cause this crisis, yet Africa can lead in solving it,” Abiy said.
The summit saw billions of dollars pledged for climate action across Africa.
Ethiopia launched the Africa Climate Innovation Compact (ACIC) and the African Climate Facility (ACF), which aim to raise $50 billion to support climate projects.
African financial institutions, including the African Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, and KCB Group, also committed to mobilise over $100 billion under the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative (AGII).
The goal is to build 300 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030. Denmark announced a $79 million package to support climate-smart agriculture in Africa.
Countries shared progress on local projects aimed at tackling climate change.
Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative has planted over 48 billion trees since 2019, helping to cut deforestation from 92,000 hectares in 2013 to 27,000 hectares in 2024.
Ghana has received more than $20 million from the World Bank under the REDD+ programme to fight deforestation.
Norway’s LEAF Coalition has agreed to buy future carbon credits from Ethiopia to support its efforts.
The summit also launched the Just Resilience Framework and the Climate Justice Impact Fund for Africa to support local community climate projects across the continent.
Leaders said Africa should treat climate action as an opportunity to grow its economies.
They highlighted renewable energy, electric mobility, sustainable agriculture, and nature-based tourism as areas with huge potential for green jobs and investment.
Young African climate activists also called on leaders to provide more funding for local groups working directly in communities. “Africa is not a problem to be solved. Africa is the solution to be supported,” Ethiopia’s President Taye Atske Selassie said at the closing ceremony.
