By Jenifer Gilla
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. African climate leaders have called for a transformation of the global climate-finance system, demanding predictable, accessible and adequate funding that does not worsen the continent’s debt burden.
The call came as the 14th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-14) concluded in Addis Ababa on September 9, bringing together policymakers, climate negotiators, researchers, civil society representatives, youth, women and development partners.
Held under the theme “From Pledges to Implementation: The Belém–Antalya–Addis Roadmap,” the conference sought to strengthen Africa’s position ahead of the next UN climate summit, COP31, while laying the groundwork for an African-hosted COP32 in Addis Ababa in 2027.
Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), said Africa’s climate narrative should go beyond vulnerability and focus on the continent’s capacity to develop and implement solutions.
“Africa’s climate story should not be defined by vulnerability alone,” Mr Gatete said, urging African countries to push for climate justice while strengthening their own capacity to respond to climate change.
Africa contributes less than 4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions but faces some of the world’s most severe climate impacts.
The continent requires about $277 billion annually through 2030 to implement its Nationally Determined Contributions, while existing climate-finance flows meet only a fraction of that requirement.
Delegates said climate finance should therefore be assessed not only by the amount of money reaching Africa, but also by the economic value retained on the continent.
They called for climate investments to create jobs, support local industries, facilitate technology transfer and strengthen African institutions.
Mithika Mwenda of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance said Africa now needs to move beyond declarations and focus on delivery.
The conference also called on African countries to strengthen their role in the global energy transition, particularly through greater value addition to the continent’s critical minerals.
Africa holds significant deposits of minerals needed for renewable-energy technologies. Delegates, however, warned that exporting raw minerals without local processing could reinforce historical patterns in which Africa supplies resources while higher-value economic activities take place elsewhere.
They called for the development of regional value chains, local processing and greater African ownership of the green transition.
Adaptation and early-warning systems were also identified as key priorities.
Delegates called for climate forecasts to be linked to financing, communication and anticipatory action, enabling communities to act before climate-related disasters occur.
Cities and local governments were also urged to receive more direct and predictable climate finance as they face increasing pressure from floods, droughts, climate-related displacement and rapidly growing populations.
The conference further called for gender-responsive climate action and greater recognition of indigenous and local knowledge in climate decision-making.
Six working committees will continue work on climate finance and carbon markets; agriculture and food systems; just transition and critical minerals; circular economy; adaptation; and climate change and development.