The Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marks a pivotal moment in the continent’s united front for bold, transformative climate action.
Building on the momentum of the inaugural summit in Nairobi, Kenya, this high-level convening, under the theme “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development,” serves to unify Africa’s position ahead of critical global climate negotiations, including COP30.
Speeches from high-level leaders at the summit, including Kenyan President William Ruto and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, underscore a shared vision of transforming climate action from a burden into a catalyst for growth and justice.
Climate as a Catalyst for Growth
President Ruto, who also serves as the Coordinator for CAHOSCC (Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change), emphasised that “Africa’s voice is now stronger and its solutions more recognised than ever before.”
He articulated a core principle of the summit: that climate action is not a burden but a catalyst for growth, jobs, and transformation.
This vision, he noted, pushes for a “green, inclusive industrial future” and win-win solutions that benefit both the continent and the world.
Ruto’s call for collaboration over isolation highlights the summit’s broader purpose of forging a united front to address a global crisis that no single nation can face alone.
President Mohamud echoed this urgency, underscoring the unique vulnerabilities of the Horn of Africa, a region disproportionately affected by climate-related disasters like prolonged droughts and devastating floods.
He called for “stronger partnerships and equitable, predictable climate finance to build resilience at scale.” Mahmud’s appeal serves as a powerful reminder that for Africa, climate change is not a distant threat but a clear and present danger that jeopardises sustainable development and human security.
Financing for a Resilient Future
A central theme of the ACS2 is unlocking climate finance. Despite contributing less than 4% of global carbon emissions, Africa faces a massive financial burden to adapt to a changing climate.
According to Mohamud, the continent thus requires a significant overhaul of the global financial system to facilitate climate action financing.
The summit aims to push for fairer global financial systems, urging partners to replace aid with strategic investments.
The goal is to secure fair and predictable financing that empowers Africa to implement its own solutions, from renewable energy projects and nature-based solutions to climate-smart agriculture.
The summit provides a platform for African leaders to present a unified voice, pushing for the international community to honour its commitments and reform a system that has historically disadvantaged the continent.
As President Mohamud stated, the summit’s goal is to turn “commitments into collective action,” ensuring that Addis Ababa will be remembered as the moment Africa took decisive steps toward a prosperous, climate-resilient future.