(ADDIS ABABA) – Africa continues to face major climate challenges despite contributing less than 5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions over the past 170 years. Nearly 600 million people on the continent lack access to electricity, and almost one billion still rely on traditional biofuels for cooking.
These realities, combined with the growing threat of climate change, make the upcoming Second Africa Climate Summit in Ethiopia in September crucial for shaping Africa’s energy future and mobilising finance for renewable energy.
African countries have committed to reducing emissions, which will require transitioning from fossil fuels such as oil and coal to renewable energy. Currently, solar energy contributes just three percent of electricity generation, and renewable sources overall account for 24.1 percent, of which 76 percent comes from hydropower, a sector increasingly affected by climate variability. Experts estimate that
Africa will need between US$1.6 trillion and US$1.9 trillion (SSP7.36 trillion–SSP8.74 trillion) by 2030 to move away from fossil fuels. Much of the available funding comes as loans, increasing debt burdens for nations that struggle to prioritise climate resilience over repayment obligations.
Global energy initiatives often overlook Africa. Projects like the World Bank and African Development Bank’s Mission 300, designed to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030, risk leaving another 300 million without access. Africa currently receives only about four percent of global climate investment. Summit organisers aim to use the platform to advocate for fairer funding, technology transfer, and greater participation of African countries in global climate decision-making.
The first Africa Climate Summit in 2023 issued the Nairobi Declaration, calling for a 43 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and urging developed nations to deliver on the US$100 billion annual climate finance pledge. African countries pledged to expand funding for renewable energy, reform lending practices, and create green industries.
Progress since the first summit is unclear, though initiatives such as the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative and the Continental Circular Economy Action Plan (2024–2034) have been launched to create green jobs and empower youth and women.
The 2025 summit will focus on six key areas: reimagining climate finance with easier access and debt restructuring, accelerating renewable energy deployment, promoting community-led nature-based solutions, strengthening governance and international partnerships, harnessing Africa’s critical mineral reserves for green industrialisation, and advancing regional implementation mechanisms.
Experts stress that integrating indigenous knowledge with modern technology can strengthen resilience, enhance ecosystem management, and support green economies. Decentralised renewable energy systems offer reliable power for rural communities, reduce emissions, and create local employment opportunities.
Civil society and regional institutions are engaging communities to ensure inclusive representation and ownership of outcomes. Success will depend on African leaders uniting behind a shared vision for climate action, positioning the continent as a global leader in climate resilience.
Africa Climate Finance and Energy Access
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Africans without electricity | 600 million |
| Africans using traditional biofuels | 1 billion |
| Renewable energy share of electricity | 24.1% |
| Solar contribution | 3% |
| Estimated climate finance needed by 2030 | US$1.6–1.9 trillion / SSP7.36–8.74 trillion |
| Africa’s share of global climate investment | 4% |
