Africa is mobilizing to turn climate action into a driver of economic growth, jobs, and resilience against disasters by developing ambitious national plans and investing heavily in renewable energies.
As the deadlines of the Paris Agreement approach, the UN calls on African governments to submit their new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), aimed not only at limiting warming to 1.5°C but also at creating sustainable economic opportunities and jobs. According to Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate:
“Robust national climate plans serve as blueprints for stronger economies, more jobs, and a higher standard of living across all African countries.”
Several countries are already standing out with concrete initiatives:
- South Africa: a just transition from coal to renewable energies, supported by international partnerships, with a budget increasing from $8.5 to $11.6 billion.
- Nigeria: massive deployment of decentralized solar energy, restoration of mangroves, and the Great Green Wall, with the creation of tens of thousands of green jobs by 2030.
- Morocco: a regional leader in renewable energies, exemplified by the Ouarzazate solar complex, showcasing large-scale clean energy production.
Recent events, such as the Climate Week in Ethiopia and the NAP Expo in Zambia, highlight innovative climate solutions ready to be scaled across the continent.
During the second African Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, leaders reaffirmed that climate action should be seen as a strategic leverage for investment and development, backed by strengthened climate financing, to turn ambitions into tangible and equitable economic outcomes.