Ismaila Umaru Lere
The much-anticipated Africa Climate Summit 2023 holding in Nairobi, Kenya from September 4 to September 6 will focus on the theme, ‘Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World’. The three-day Summit, which will hold simultaneously with the Africa Climate Week, is expected to bring together leaders and investors from Africa and beyond to share experiences and solutions for a sustainable, resilient Africa. The event aims to champion a positive, climate-compatible vision for Africa. Sessions will focus on adaptation and resilience, renewable energy and sustainable development, and financing for climate action. The Government of Kenya is co-hosting the summit with the African Union Commission (AUC).
Organizers said deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars are expected to be struck at the event, including increasingly popular nature-based investments. The event is also expected to strengthen the continent’s voice and send a unified message ahead of the COP28 UN Climate Summit later this year.
The deals would involve private and public funding for nature-based investments, clean energy production and climate adaptation efforts.
More than 20 African heads of state and government and 20,000 delegates from around the world, including U.N chief Antonio Guterres, have confirmed their participation in the Summit
African countries have been severely affected by changing weather patterns and increasingly suffer from droughts, floods and storms related to climate change.
Several nature-based deals, which help resolve the dilemma of who foots the bill to combat climate change impacts, have been announced in recent months involving African countries.
Portugal said in June it would swap 153 million dollars worth of Cape Verde’s debt for nature investments while Gabon completed its own such deal this month, allowing the central African nation to buy back a nominal 500 million dollars of its international debt and issue an eco-friendly amortizing bond of equal size.
Talking about Africa sending a unified message and voicing out its grievances before and during the summit, more than 400 civil society organizations recently wrote to Kenyan President William Ruto, the event’s chief host, urging him to “reset the focus” of the upcoming Africa Climate Summit to reflect the interests of the continent.
In a joint petition, the group expressed “grave” concern about the event, claiming it has been hijacked by Western governments and organizations “hell-bent on pushing a pro-West agenda and interests at the expense of Africa.”
The activists have asked the Committee of African Heads of State and Governments on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) to remove American company McKinsey from the summit’s organizing board. In exchange, they demanded the formation of an African-led expert group to help reshape the conference’s plan.
“Even more worryingly, the agenda of the summit has been unduly influenced by US-based consultancy firm McKinsey and Company. The lead of African officials and ministers has been pushed on the back burner,” the petition read.
Reacting to the petitions, Kenya’s leader, who is the chairperson for the CAHOSCC, announced that the conference would explore and champion the continent’s renewable energy opportunities and future while offering a platform to maximize opportunities for African-led climate solutions.
Odhiambo Oyoko, who leads the forum for civic participation in governance, had reportedly said while the event is an “African summit offering African solutions,” local organizations seeking involvement and input have been excluded.
Oyoko declared: “We are concerned about some of the organizations like McKinsey and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation…. they are pushing an agenda of so-called market approaches to climate change issues, which I think we oppose.” And I want to agree with the spirited and patriotic views expressed by African civil society groups that the summit’s agenda should reflect the interests of the continent.
I strongly feel that the summit should provide a platform for African countries to consolidate their positions and amplify their voices in global climate negotiations. We should articulate our specific needs, concerns, and priorities in the international climate discourse. This should equally serve as a preparatory platform for Africa ahead of international climate conferences, enabling us to present a united front and advocate for climate justice, equitable funding, and enhanced support from developed nations.
Indeed, the upcoming African Climate Summit is set to be a critical event in tackling the environmental challenges that the African continent faces. As climate change continues to threaten the livelihoods and well-being of millions of Africans, this summit provides a platform for leaders, experts, and activists to strategize and implement effective African-based solutions. With the devastating impacts of climate change already being felt across the continent, the urgency to act cannot be overstated.
The summit should serve as a milestone in Africa’s response to climate change and address pressing issues such as adaptation, mitigation, financing, and capacity building.
African leaders should work to ensure that our countries are equipped with the necessary resources and technologies to adapt to the impacts of climate change. African nations are particularly vulnerable due to factors such as limited infrastructure, poverty, and a heavy reliance on agriculture. Flooding, droughts, and desertification are already posing significant threats to food security, water resources, and biodiversity in many parts of the continent.
Another crucial aspect of the summit is to mobilize funding for climate action in Africa. Despite being the least responsible for global greenhouse gas emissions, African countries often bear the brunt of the impacts. I expect this summit to create a platform for African governments to engage with international donors, private sector investors, and multilateral financing institutions to secure the necessary financial resources. Additionally, discussions should focus on the role of climate finance in supporting low-carbon development, renewable energy projects, and the transition to green economies on the continent.
In line with the urgency to address climate change, the African Climate Summit should also showcase various successful initiatives and partnerships already underway in the continent. These initiatives span a wide range of sectors, including renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, afforestation, and conservation. Sharing success stories, lessons learned, and best practices is crucial in order to scale up these efforts and replicate them across Africa. By highlighting these positive developments, the summit will inspire and encourage further collaboration among countries.
The outcomes of the summit have the potential to drive transformative change, enabling African countries to mitigate the impacts of climate change, adapt to its effects, and pursue sustainable development pathways. The summit’s success will depend on the commitment of all stakeholders to implement the identified strategies and translate discussions into concrete actions that benefit both present and future generations in Africa.
