Leaders Highlight Massive Climate Finance Gap Affecting Africa Despite Minimal Emissions Contribution
The Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) convened on 13 February 2026 under the central theme of addressing the “massive gap” in global climate finance, expressing deep concern that less than 3 percent of global climate finance reaches sub-Saharan Africa each year. Leaders also stressed that a significant share of available funding is provided in the form of loans rather than grants, further exacerbating the continent’s growing debt burden.
The meeting was held on the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. During the discussions, African leaders examined the widening disparity between global climate commitments and the increasingly severe climate impacts experienced across the continent.
Africa Facing Accelerated Warming and Economic Losses
Participants underscored that Africa continues to warm at a faster rate than the global average. Current projections indicate that a global temperature increase of 1.5°C could translate into a temperature rise of at least 3°C across Africa.
Despite contributing less than 4 percent of historical global greenhouse gas emissions, African countries are already experiencing significant economic losses, estimated at between 2 percent and 5 percent of annual GDP due to climate-related shocks and extreme weather events.
President William Ruto Emphasizes Climate Finance as Key Driver of Development
President William S. Ruto of Kenya, Coordinator of CAHOSCC, stated that Africa cannot afford to wait for a global financial realignment to address its climate challenges.
“Finance remains the hinge for climate delivery,” President Ruto said, emphasizing that climate change should no longer be viewed solely as an environmental issue but rather as a defining economic and competitiveness agenda shaping future energy systems and development pathways.
He highlighted that Africa’s extensive renewable energy resources, youthful population, and expanding markets uniquely position the continent to lead a green industrial revolution.
President Ruto further noted that while global investment in energy transition reached a record USD 2.3 trillion in 2025, Africa accounted for less than 2 percent of that investment despite possessing immense solar energy potential.
He stressed that as the world transitions toward low-carbon economies, Africa must place climate priorities at the center of economic decision-making. This includes leveraging initiatives such as the Accelerated Partnership for Renewable Energy and Green Industrialization to mobilize financing and partnerships necessary for transformative and sustainable growth.
Emphasizing Africa’s strategic importance in the global climate agenda, President Ruto stated that effective leadership requires unity, strategic discipline, and decisive action to convert the continent’s potential into industrial value creation, green employment opportunities, and enhanced climate resilience.
African Union Commission Warns of Intensifying Climate Disasters
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), expressed serious concern over the accelerating impacts of climate change across Africa, noting that climate disasters are intensifying and disproportionately affecting populations least responsible for global emissions.
He emphasized that water and sanitation systems lie at the core of climate resilience, public health protection, and sustainable development, making the African Union’s 2026 Theme of the Year both timely and urgent.
The AUC Chairperson reiterated that global climate finance remains grossly inadequate, with less than 3 percent reaching sub-Saharan Africa annually—far below the levels required to address the continent’s vulnerabilities.
As Africa advances toward COP31 and COP32, he stressed that unity among African leaders, alongside innovative financing mechanisms such as the African Action Plan on Carbon Markets (AAPCM), will be essential to securing the ambitious climate finance required.
He reaffirmed the African Union’s continued commitment to climate action and called on all Member States to fully implement the AU Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022–2032) to safeguard Africa’s future.
Commissioner Moses Vilakati Highlights Africa’s Vulnerability and Adaptation Challenges
Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), stressed Africa’s acute vulnerability to climate change and the urgent need for increased international support.
He stated that Africa remains among the regions most exposed to climate impacts, including rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and increasingly extreme weather events that continue to devastate communities and undermine development gains.
According to Commissioner Vilakati, the continent is witnessing more frequent droughts, floods, and heatwaves, resulting in food and water shortages, displacement of populations, loss of livelihoods, and biodiversity degradation.
Despite commitments made through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and national adaptation plans, implementation efforts remain constrained by limited access to reliable data, technology, infrastructure, and especially climate finance.
He called on Member States and international partners to mobilize agreed funding commitments to strengthen resilience and enable effective climate change adaptation measures across the continent.
Review of Africa Climate Summit and COP30 Outcomes
During the meeting, the Committee reviewed outcomes of the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), held in Addis Ababa in September 2025, including the Addis Ababa Declaration. Leaders also assessed outcomes of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP30 conference held in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025.
African leaders reaffirmed their commitment to several priority action areas:
Green Industrialization
Promoting sustainable economic transformation through Africa’s Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII).
Climate Action Implementation
Accelerating implementation of the AU Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022–2032).
Carbon Markets Development
Advancing implementation of the Africa Action Plan on Carbon Markets (AAPCM) and the Equity and Integrity Principles, described as Africa’s Gold Standard for carbon markets, while supporting the operationalization of the AAPCM framework.
Strengthening collective African advocacy efforts toward establishing a new, ambitious, and quantified global climate finance goal.
African Union Commission Expresses Solidarity with Madagascar Following Cyclone Gezani
