African countries are facing a significant climate finance gap, with President William Ruto warning that the continent requires between $200 billion and $400 billion annually for climate adaptation. This translates to approximately Sh25.8 trillion and Sh51.6 trillion. Ruto made these remarks while opening a meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change in New York.
Ruto emphasized that existing climate finance pledges must translate into actual funding and projects. He noted that the world has no shortage of climate pledges but lacks delivery. The President called on African countries to rethink and expand their climate finance options, stressing that existing commitments must be fulfilled.
The President highlighted that official development assistance fell by 23 per cent in 2025. Additionally, funding under the Global Environment Facility also declined. The ninth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility secured initial pledges of $3.9 billion, compared to $5.33 billion under the previous replenishment.
Ruto expressed concern that funding is declining even as the continent's climate needs grow. He noted that countries agreed at the climate conference in Belém last year to triple adaptation finance. However, this commitment has yet to translate into adequate resources. The Adaptation Fund secured about $138 million against a target of $300 million.
The President stressed that climate finance is not charity but an obligation under the Convention and the Paris Agreement. He called on African countries to remain active in global climate negotiations and press for existing commitments to be honoured. Ruto also linked climate action to economic growth, saying Africa's approach should focus on investment, job creation, resilience, and low-carbon development.
Ruto urged African countries to push for an African climate agenda centred on adaptation, implementation, investment, and climate-positive growth. He emphasized that climate action should no longer be viewed simply as a cost but as a pathway to growth and investment. The meeting in New York aimed to help African countries forge common positions ahead of COP31.
The President said COP31 should turn the Belém commitment into a credible pathway for delivering adaptation finance. He also stated that adaptation should become the defining deliverable of COP32, which will be held in Addis Ababa. Ruto's call to action underscores the urgent need for Africa to address the climate finance gap and implement effective climate solutions.
Key points
- Africa faces an annual climate adaptation finance gap of between $200 billion and $400 billion.
- Existing climate finance pledges must translate into actual funding and projects.
- Climate finance is not charity but an obligation under the Convention and the Paris Agreement.
