Africa Climate Summit 2025 aims to turn pledges into action in Addis Ababa
From September 8–10, 2025, Addis Ababa will host the second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), bringing together over 25,000 participants including heads of state and climate experts to shape the continent’s position ahead of COP30.
The first summit in Nairobi (2023) generated significant momentum with $26 billion in climate investment pledges by 2030. Yet two years later, it remains unclear how much has actually been disbursed. ACS2 will focus on closing this implementation gap.
Under the theme “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing Resilient and Green Development in Africa,” the summit aims to translate promises into tangible projects.
African Union Commissioner Mahmoud Ali Youssouf emphasized the need to “move beyond declarations to catalyze investments, policies, and hope.”
Despite COP21’s $100 billion annual pledge to vulnerable nations, Africa the region most affected by climate change receives only about $13 billion per year for adaptation, covering just a quarter of its needs. Kenyan President William Ruto and other leaders have openly criticized this shortfall.
ACS2 will build on the Nairobi Declaration to produce the Addis Ababa Declaration a shared roadmap developed through inclusive pre-summit consultations with NGOs, youth, women, and the private sector.
Key African priorities include scaling renewable energy, supporting technological innovation, strengthening local adaptation, and promoting nature-based solutions.
A major challenge remains: climate finance is still dominated by public funds, with the private sector covering only 3% of adaptation needs.
African leaders are calling for systemic change to ensure promises finally translate into action.
The success of ACS2 will be measured not by words, but by its ability to deliver real investment or risk becoming another unmet promise for the continent.
Sam OKAFOR
