African leaders and climate activists have called for a fundamental shift in global climate financing, urging the world to see Africa not as a victim of climate change but as a strategic partner for investment.
Speaking at the second Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa on Monday, heads of state, government officials, and civil society representatives pressed for greater resources to fund renewable energy and adaptation projects across the continent.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed opened the summit with a call to replace “climate aid with climate investment,” highlighting Africa’s renewable energy potential and resilience.
Ethiopia showcased its progress with projects such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, to be inaugurated on Tuesday, and a nationwide tree-planting campaign that has produced 48 billion seedlings in seven years.
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf emphasized climate justice, stressing the need to address debt burdens and structural inequalities in the global financial system.
“We need genuine cooperation for the implementation of our continent’s adaptation plan through financial resources, technology, and expertise,” he said.
Kenyan President William Ruto urged African unity, warning against isolationist approaches.
“The truth is undeniable. No nation can solve this crisis alone.
“Only through bold, united and sustained collaboration can we avert climate catastrophe,” he noted.
The summit comes amid worsening climate disasters — droughts, floods, and food insecurity — that have disproportionately affected Africa’s most vulnerable communities.
Despite ambitious renewable energy pledges made at last year’s summit, leaders acknowledged that implementation has stalled due to financing gaps.
Civil society voices pushed for accountability and innovative funding mechanisms.
Greenpeace Africa’s Amos Wemanya urged taxing major polluters and the super-rich to finance climate action, while activist Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim warned against “too much talk and not enough action,” calling for community-centered, African-led solutions.
Delegates are expected to adopt a declaration this week outlining Africa’s priorities, which will be presented at COP30 in November.
COP30 President Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, who attended the meeting, expressed solidarity with Africa’s vision.
Summing up the continent’s position, Prime Minister Ahmed declared: “We ask our global partners not to fund us because we are impacted, but to invest with us because we are visionary.”
