Addis Ababa has become the epicentre of climate diplomacy as the Second Africa Climate Summit opened today with a strong call for climate investment and homegrown solutions to tackle the continent’s escalating climate crisis.
Leaders from across Africa, along with international partners and investors, gathered to discuss strategies for financing climate adaptation, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture. Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and African Union officials emphasised that Africa must shift from being a passive recipient of global aid to an active leader in designing and implementing solutions tailored to its realities.
Speakers highlighted the urgency of climate change’s impact on Africa, from prolonged droughts in the Horn of Africa to devastating floods in West Africa. With Africa contributing less than 4 per cent of global emissions but bearing some of the worst consequences, the summit framed the conversation around justice, equity, and opportunity.
Discussions also focused on mobilising climate finance, with calls for stronger commitments from international partners. At the same time, African leaders pushed for innovative financing mechanisms, including green bonds, carbon markets, and regional investment funds, to unlock the continent’s clean energy potential.
Observers say the summit could mark a turning point, positioning Africa not just as a climate-vulnerable region but as a hub for renewable innovation and global green growth.