African countries are calling for improved climate finance to support homegrown solutions that are helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. These solutions include restoring degraded land, reviving coastal mangrove forests, and providing loans to smallholder farmers. The efforts are starting to show positive results, with measurable gains in areas such as water, energy, industrialization, and sustainable cities.
The 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report highlights Africa's progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report notes that Africa has made gains in 12 of the 17 SDGs, but warns that the pace and scale of progress remain inadequate due to financing constraints, infrastructure gaps, and climate shocks. The report emphasizes the need for better financing to support Africa's development goals.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that the current El Niño is likely to persist into early 2027, posing a risk of drought, floods, and displacement across parts of Africa. In response, African countries are pushing for changes to the global financial system to address debt, high borrowing costs, and the flow of finance to developing economies.
In East Africa, progress is being made in areas such as land, water, and coastal management. In Tanzania's Mwanza region, a $2.9-million grant is being used to expand a system that promotes agroforestry, aiming to rebuild soil, raise yields, and help households adapt to unpredictable rainfall. Similar initiatives are underway in Kenya and Zanzibar, focusing on mangrove forest restoration and community-led conservation.
A new $200-million facility has been launched to channel climate adaptation finance to farmers through commercial lending. The Africa Rural Climate Adaptation Finance Mechanism will operate in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, providing loans to smallholder farmers and supporting climate-resilient agriculture.
Civil society organizations are also playing a crucial role in supporting climate action in Africa. These organizations are promoting forest-based enterprises and clean energy entrepreneurship, providing communities with opportunities to participate in climate action while generating income.
The Africa Sustainable Development Report sets out five priorities for faster action, including stronger domestic tax collection, more climate and development finance, and a bigger role for resilience in national planning. African governments are expected to use the UN General Debate to press for direct access to adaptation funds and to demand more climate finance to support their development goals.
Key points
- African countries are seeking better financing to support homegrown climate solutions that are helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
- The 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report highlights Africa's progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasizes the need for better financing to support Africa's development goals.
- A new $200-million facility has been launched to channel climate adaptation finance to farmers through commercial lending, supporting climate-resilient agriculture in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
