By Ephraim Agbo
The future of Africa’s development and its role in the global climate agenda is being debated this week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where leaders, financiers, scientists, youth, and civil society have gathered for the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2). From September 8–10, 2025, the African Union and the Ethiopian government are hosting this pivotal event, following several days of pre-summit dialogues (Sept 5–7).
The summit comes at a crucial moment: Africa is one of the regions most affected by climate change, yet it receives less than 4% of global climate finance. ACS2 aims to turn the tide by presenting Africa not as a victim of the crisis, but as a hub of solutions, innovation, and investment opportunities.
From Aid to Investment: Shifting the Narrative
One of the summit’s central messages is clear: Africa does not want to be seen merely as a recipient of foreign aid. Instead, leaders are calling for large-scale investment into green industrialisation, renewable energy, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
At the opening session, African governments and development banks unveiled frameworks designed to mobilise up to $100 billion in financing for green industrialisation. The emphasis is on leveraging Africa’s vast resources — from solar power potential to critical minerals — to power both sustainable growth at home and the global clean energy transition.
Thematic Focus: Building Blocks for Africa’s Green Future
The summit is structured around several tracks, each addressing a vital component of Africa’s climate and development journey:
- Energy Transition – Unlocking Africa’s renewable energy potential, from solar and wind to hydro, with a push toward universal clean power access.
- Climate Finance – Developing African-led financing vehicles to overcome the chronic underfunding that has stalled adaptation and mitigation projects.
- Green Industrialisation – Using climate action as a catalyst for industrial growth, job creation, and value-added manufacturing.
- Nature-Based Solutions – Protecting forests, wetlands, and ecosystems that not only buffer climate impacts but also support livelihoods.
- Technology & Innovation – Showcasing African startups and innovators working on climate-smart agriculture, clean tech, and data-driven solutions.
- Critical Minerals Governance – Ensuring Africa benefits from the extraction of lithium, cobalt, and rare earths needed for global clean energy technologies.
- Youth & Subnational Action – Highlighting the role of Africa’s large youth population and local governments in driving grassroots climate solutions.
Attendance and Scale
The Addis Ababa summit has drawn dozens of African heads of state and thousands of delegates, including representatives from the private sector, international financiers, civil society, and research institutions. The scale reflects growing recognition that Africa’s voice must be central to the COP30 climate negotiations in Belém, Brazil, later this year.
For many participants, ACS2 is not just another conference but a chance to craft a unified African position that will influence global climate politics.
Why ACS2 Matters
Africa’s climate challenge is stark: floods, droughts, and desertification are already displacing communities and straining economies. Yet the continent is also home to:
- 60% of the world’s solar potential,
- 30% of the world’s critical mineral reserves,
- the youngest population on the planet, and
- vast natural ecosystems that act as global carbon sinks.
Harnessing these assets requires political will, financial muscle, and innovative partnerships. The outcomes of ACS2 could set the stage for Africa to leapfrog into a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and industrialised future.
The Road Ahead
As discussions continue in Addis Ababa, expectations are high that the summit will produce more than just declarations. With new financing frameworks already announced, the focus is on implementation — ensuring that pledged billions translate into projects on the ground.
If Africa succeeds in turning climate ambition into investment and action, it won’t just secure its future; it will reshape the global climate landscape. The Addis Ababa summit could well be remembered as the moment Africa claimed its place as both a leader and solution provider in the climate fight.
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