African govts urged to accelerate bridging climate action, development goals divide

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African Union member states are set to hold the second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) to take stock of the 2023 Nairobi Declaration during the inaugural ACS in 2023.

However, a new research brief, a copy of which New Vision Online has seen, acknowledges that while there has been 'notable progress' in meeting the recommendations outlined in the Nairobi Declaration secured two years ago, Africa still has a long way to go in meeting its targets because "over 600 million people [are] still lacking access to energy on the continent, and Africa’s green industrialisation still very much work in progress".

The 2023 Nairobi Declaration was adopted on September 6, 2023, by African heads of state and government in the presence of global leaders and high-level representatives in Nairobi, Kenya. The declaration indicated that climate change was the single greatest challenge facing humanity and the single biggest threat to all life on Earth. It was emphasised that Africa bears the brunt of climate change and is warming faster than the rest of the world, despite not being historically responsible for greenhouse gas emissions.

The research brief released today, September 4, 2025, by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation is, therefore, urging African governments to reconcile climate action and development goals clearly set out in the Nairobi Declaration.

According to the foundation, progress will be dependent on four priorities for the continent:

Ensuring a just energy transition and access to energy for all: Increase investments into clean energy systems to leverage Africa’s renewable potential and close the continent’s energy gap, which stands at 623 million people.

Emphasising adaptation over mitigation, as Africa is both the least responsible and the most vulnerable to climate change, given its still low level of development, makes progress towards a Global Goal on Adaptation to properly assess Africa’s adaptation needs and ensure adequate financing.

Leveraging Africa’s green assets: Take steps to enable Africa to protect and properly monetise its green and blue assets for the benefit of the continent’s people.

Securing access to appropriate climate finance mechanisms: Accelerate reforms of the multilateral financing architecture to ensure it meets the needs of African countries and honours climate finance commitments.

According to the research, while some progress has been made, there is still significant work to be done to advance the Nairobi Declaration.

"ACS2 is the opportunity to consolidate the success of securing a unified position and alignment on commitments, as well as a stronger focus on implementation." 

Foundation founder and chairperson Mo Ibrahim said: “Nairobi marked the beginning of Africa taking full ownership of its climate agenda. But as our research shows, progress remains slow. The second Africa Climate Summit in Addis is a chance to hit the accelerator and make significant progress towards realising the vision set by our continent’s leaders two years ago".

“We cannot afford these summits to be wasted. We need to ensure delivery. We need to unlock our immense green potential. And we need to reconcile climate challenges with development for our own people," he said.

ACS2

ACS2, which is a key milestone on the road to COP30 for Africa to articulate its priorities and commitments, is hosted by the Government of Ethiopia in collaboration with the African Union (AU), aiming to advance Africa’s climate agenda and sustainable development priorities.

ACS2 is a platform for unifying Africa’s voice and leadership in global climate action, advancing African-led climate solutions and catalysing bold financial and political commitments. At ACS-2, climate leaders are expected to champion new global financing systems and accelerate climate adaptation, mitigation, and green growth. The summit also seeks to empower communities, especially youth and indigenous groups—while fostering fair partnerships and multilateral cooperation. ACS-2 aims to position Africa not only as a frontline region of climate impacts, but as a powerhouse of global climate solutions.

2023 commitments

The African heads of state and government in 2023 called upon the global community to act with urgency in reducing emissions, fulfilling their obligations, honouring past pledges, and supporting the continent in addressing climate change 

In recognition of the scale, urgency and importance of the collective actions, the heads of state and government committed to, among others:

Develop and implement policies, regulations and incentives aimed at attracting local, regional and global investment in green growth, inclusive of green and circular economies.

Propel Africa’s economic growth and job creation in a manner that reflects commitments to the Paris Agreement.

Focus economic development plans on climate-compatible growth, including expansion of just energy transitions and renewable energy generation for industrial activity, restorative agricultural practices, and essential protection and enhancement of nature and biodiversity.

Promote clean cooking technologies and initiatives for a just energy transition and gender equality for African rural women, youth, and children.

Strengthen actions to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, deforestation, and desertification, as well as restore degraded lands, including the implementation of the Abidjan Declaration on achieving gender equality for successful land restoration.

Strengthen continental collaboration, which is essential to enabling and advancing green growth, including but not limited to regional and continental grid interconnectivity, and further accelerating the operationalisation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

Advance green industrialisation across the continent by prioritising energy-intensive industries to trigger a virtuous cycle of renewable energy deployment and economic activity, with a special emphasis on adding value to Africa’s natural endowments.

Promote investments in reskilling to unlock the human capital that will power Africa’s inclusive green transition.

Redouble our efforts to boost agricultural yields through sustainable agricultural practices, to enhance food security while minimising negative environmental impacts.

Contribute to the development of global standards, metrics, and market mechanisms to accurately value and compensate for the protection of nature, biodiversity, socio-economic co-benefits, and the provision of climate services.

Finalise and implement the African Union Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, with a view to realising the 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature.

Provide all the necessary reforms and support required to raise the share of renewable energy financing to at least 20 percent by 2030.

Promote the production of green hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives such as green fertiliser and synthetic fuels.

Integrate climate, biodiversity and ocean agendas into national development plans and processes to increase resilience of local communities and national economies.

Promote a regenerative blue economy and support implementation of the Moroni Declaration for Ocean and Climate Action in Africa, and the Great Blue Wall Initiative, whilst recognising the circumstances of Africa’s Island States.