Project teams completed regional workshops focused on moving selected initiatives towards approval, financing and implementation under the African Development Fund’s Climate Action Window.
The African Development Fund is the African Development Bank Group’s (AfDB) concessional financing arm. The Climate Action Window supports adaptation, mitigation, project preparation, institutional capacity, climate policy and green finance in 37 vulnerable countries.
A workshop held in Nairobi in August brought together 27 project teams from national institutions, UN agencies and regional organisations.
Another meeting was held at AfDB’s Southern Africa Regional Office in Pretoria from August 31 to September 1. Participants included institutions from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Lesotho, Madagascar and Mozambique.
Technical assistance projects could help unlock approximately $407 million in East Africa and $225 million in Southern Africa. “The opportunity before us is significant,” AfDB Regional Operations Manager for Energy and Infrastructure Farai Kanonda said.
“If these technical assistance projects are well designed and successfully implemented, the value will extend far beyond the individual grants.”
AfDB East Africa Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Office Director-General Dr Alex Mubiru said practical results rather than reports would determine success. “Technical assistance is not an end in itself,” Mubiru said.
“Success will be measured by what comes next: stronger institutions, better-prepared investments, increased access to climate finance, projects that move from concept to implementation and, ultimately, tangible improvements in the lives and livelihoods of the people we serve.”
The projects form part of 67 initiatives selected under the Climate Action Window’s third call for proposals. The Window is already supporting 98 climate investments across Africa.
AfDB aims to secure approval for all projects before the end of 2026. Climate Action Window Coordinator Dr James Kinyangi said direct access should provide countries with a faster and more predictable route to financing.
The Window aims to attract at least three times its funding value from governments, development partners and private investors.
The need is urgent. Southern Africa’s cereal yields were 16% below the five-year average in 2024, while Zambia and Zimbabwe recorded declines of 43% and 50%, respectively.
More than 700 000 people were affected by severe flooding in East Africa.
The supplied analysis also estimates that strengthening El Niño conditions could worsen food security for more than 18 million people across both regions into 2027.
–AfDB/ChannelAfrica–
