Chairperson of the Africa Group of Negotiators on Climate Change, Nana Dr. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, has called for a decisive shift from climate finance pledges to implementation, urging global partners to deliver predictable and accessible funding to support Africa’s climate and development priorities.
Speaking at the opening of the 12th Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-12) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the AGN Chair stressed that Africa’s foremost demand is not additional commitments but tangible financial flows that support adaptation, resilience, loss and damage, and green industrialisation.
He emphasised that outcomes from key global processes, including the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development and COP30, must translate into grant-based and concessional financing that is predictable and accessible to African countries.
“Africa’s message is implementation finance, not more pledges,” he told delegates, noting that climate finance must directly support national priorities such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and resilience infrastructure.
Dr. Amoah highlighted the urgency of closing widening development and climate finance gaps, referencing global commitments such as the Sevilla Commitment. He said this should result in expanded fiscal space, reduced debt burdens, and lower costs of capital to unlock large-scale investments.
On the road to COP30, he called for a “delivery agenda” anchored in clear milestones and accountability, particularly in mobilising at least $300 billion annually by 2035 and scaling climate finance to $1.3 trillion within the same period.
He stressed that adaptation finance should be treated as development finance due to its direct impact on food systems, water security, health, infrastructure, and economic stability across the continent.
“Climate resilience is not a peripheral issue—it sits at the core of Africa’s development,” he noted, adding that the quality of finance is as important as its volume.
The AGN Chair cautioned against financing models that increase debt vulnerabilities, advocating grants, concessional funding, non-debt instruments, debt swaps, and local currency financing. He also called for simplified access to climate funds and stronger support for project preparation, especially for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and fragile states.
He urged a shift where Africa leads in shaping its investment agenda rather than being a passive recipient of fragmented projects, adding that financing should align with Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He further proposed the establishment of a climate finance delivery compact for Africa to track progress, ensure transparency, and guarantee fair distribution of resources.
Dr. Amoah also called for reforms to the global financial architecture to reduce vulnerability, lower borrowing costs, and prioritise grant-based support for adaptation and resilience.
He urged increased investment in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, water systems, and resilient urban development, describing them as key drivers of sustainable growth and global stability.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Selma Malika Haddadi, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the AGN in advancing Africa’s climate agenda.
In conclusion, Dr. Amoah stressed that climate finance for Africa must be viewed through equity and accountability.
“For Africa, unlocking climate finance is not about charity; it is about justice, implementation and trust,” he said, warning that the credibility of global climate processes will ultimately be judged by their impact on vulnerable communities and economies.
