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3d agoWILLIAM WANYOIKEInfographics
More than 250 leaders from African cities, including mayors,
policymakers, investors, and business leaders, are gathered in Nairobi on
Monday for the Green & Resilient UrbanShift Africa Forum.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and hosted
by C40 Cities, the event is supported by key global organizations, including
the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Resources Institute (WRI), and
ICLEI.
Speaking during the event at UN HQ Nairobi, Governor Johnson Sakaja welcomed the forum, emphasizing the continent’s vast opportunities for
transformation.
“Africa’s young population presents a significant
opportunity to reshape the reality for many cities and residents,” Sakaja
stated.
The forum will highlight the urgent need for climate financing in African cities, which are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events such as floods and droughts.
“African city leaders are demonstrating remarkable
leadership but need financial support to match their ambition. It’s time
for governments and investors to step up,” Sakaja reiterated.
According to Martin Krause, Director of UNEP’s Climate
Change Division:
“National climate
action plans, co-developed with sub-national governments, can empower cities to
mobilize resources and funding for more effective implementation, protection of
urban residents, and low-carbon, resilient development.”
Recent research by WRI highlights African cities' progress in adopting climate solutions.
Nearly 300 nature-based projects for climate resilience have been initiated across sub-Saharan Africa in the past decade, securing over $21 billion in funding.
However, more than 80% of these projects have relied
primarily on grants, underscoring the need for new funding mechanisms.
The forum also marks the launch of a new Roadmap on
Sustainable Finance Action and Advocacy for Global South cities, designed to
help mayors access funding and advocate for fiscal decentralization.
The Green & Resilient UrbanShift Africa Forum is
expected to chart a new course for sustainable urban development across Africa,
fostering stronger partnerships between city leaders, national governments, and
global investors.