African Leaders Calls for Promised Funding at the Climate Summit

African leaders, together with global partners and stakeholders, gathered once again for the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 8–10 September 2025.

The inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 4–6 September 2023 — a landmark event that brought together leaders, investors, and climate experts to discuss Africa’s climate priorities and showcase its growing leadership in green innovation.

Participants agreed to convene every two years to assess progress and align on shared strategies to tackle the escalating climate crisis.

Reflecting on the first Africa climate summit

The first ACS, themed “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World,” produced a major milestone — the Nairobi Declaration. This 11-point call to action outlined Africa’s unified position ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), demanding urgent global action on emissions reduction, accelerated decarbonisation, and a just transition toward shared prosperity.

African leaders used the summit to renew pressure on developed nations to deliver the long-promised US$100 billion annually in climate finance — a target that had yet to be fully met. Of that amount, only US$80 billion had been deployed by 2020, with just 21% allocated for climate adaptation.

The first summit also launched several initiatives, including the African Adaptation Acceleration Programme (AAAP), which seeks to mobilise US$25 billion by 2025 to strengthen resilience and adaptation efforts across the continent.

However, critics argued that the summit prioritised rhetoric over tangible action. Others highlighted internal divisions, as some African nations sought to leverage fossil fuels for development, while others called for an urgent shift to renewable energy.

What to expect from the second Africa climate summit

Under the theme “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development,” the second ACS aims to build on this momentum. According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), the summit’s central focus is on how to finance Africa’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.

Preceding the summit, Africa Climate Week 2025 took place in Addis Ababa from 1–6 September, laying the groundwork for collective action and aligning regional priorities. The event is expected to culminate in the signing of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Accelerating Climate Action and Finance for Africa’s Green Future, which will define the continent’s unified position ahead of COP30 in Brazil.

Opening the summit, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called on African leaders to “design the world’s next climate economy,” emphasising the urgency of acting “together with speed, at scale, and with integrity.”

Four key issues to watch at ACS2

The WRI outlined four major themes that will shape discussions at the 2025 summit:

1.  A Shift from Climate Aid to Investment

While Africa has channelled over US$3.5 billion into local climate projects, this remains far below the US$3 trillion needed to achieve its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2030.

The continent currently receives only 20% of global adaptation finance, a shortfall that hinders progress. The call aims to transition from aid to predictable, large-scale investment flows, including private capital, blended finance, and risk guarantees, thereby building a more resilient and self-sufficient African economy.

2. Africa-led Climate Solutions

Across the continent, locally led initiatives — from landscape restoration to solar mini-grids — are driving sustainable change. The summit provides a platform to showcase these homegrown innovations, encouraging partnerships and investment while reinforcing Africa’s image as a climate leader, not a victim.

3. Stronger Systems for Climate Action and Finance

Africa needs more coordinated systems to mobilise and manage resources effectively. Country Platforms, which align national policies and funding with climate goals, will be key discussion points. Strengthening regional institutions will ensure climate finance delivers a measurable, long-term impact.

4. A Unified African Voice for Climate Justice

The ACS2 underscores Africa’s call for a reformed global financial system and greater equity in resource allocation. By speaking with one voice, African nations aim to push for climate justice and assert that addressing climate change is not merely an environmental issue — but a matter of fairness and survival.

The Second Africa Climate Summit represents more than just a policy meeting — it is a defining moment for Africa to position itself as a global leader in green development. While the continent faces immense challenges, its collaborative efforts and growing innovation ecosystem demonstrate that Africa’s climate future is being shaped not by dependence, but by determination and resilience.