From Dependency to Development

For decades, Africa has lived on the promises of climate funding from developed nations, pledges often laden with conditions and delays. These nations whose own economic prosperity was built on the back of fossil fuels now push Africa to embrace renewable energy while continuing to power their industries with coal and oil. This glaring double standard threatens to undermine Africa’s economic sovereignty and risks turning the continent into a laboratory for renewable energy experiments that serve foreign interests over local communities

Innovating for Resilience

Africa is brimming with potential to lead the charge in sustainable development. From investing in renewable energy infrastructure to promoting circular economies and indigenous climate solutions, the continent can redefine what a just transition looks like. Homegrown initiatives such as Kenya’s geothermal energy projects or Rwanda’s green urban planning models are examples of how Africa can build resilience from within. By focusing on localized solutions, Africa can not only reduce its vulnerability to climate shocks but also assert itself as a leader in global climate action. Moreover, African nations must unite in demanding greater accountability from developed countries to drastically reduce their emissions, rather than shifting the burden to developing regions.

Addressing the Social Dimensions

Climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s a human one. In Africa, its impacts disproportionately affect women, indigenous communities, and public health systems. Women, who often bear the responsibility of providing for families, are hit hardest by droughts, floods, and food insecurity. Indigenous peoples, the stewards of Africa’s rich biodiversity, face displacement and loss of cultural heritage due to climate-driven land degradation. Africa’s climate strategy must integrate these social dimensions. Empowering women through education and resource access, protecting indigenous rights, and strengthening health systems are critical steps in building a climate-resilient continent.

A Vision for Africa’s Climate Sovereignty

COP29 has made one thing clear, Africa cannot entrust its climate future to the Global North. While international cooperation remains vital, true progress demands an African-led revolution in climate action. By rejecting dependency, embracing innovation, and centering its people on climate strategies, Africa can turn its greatest challenge into its greatest opportunity. The time is now for African nations to rise, united in their resolve to build a sustainable and equitable future. Africa has the power to lead the fight against climate change—not as victims, but as visionaries shaping a new global narrative where justice, equity, and resilience take center stage.

Imali Ngusale, founder of the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), opened the discussion with a powerful statement, “Climate change is increasingly recognized as a significant factor impacting public health, particularly reproductive and maternal health.”

Ngusale emphasized that rising temperatures, water scarcity, and extreme weather events disproportionately affect women and girls, particularly in low-resource settings. She pointed out that disaster-prone regions experience heightened maternal mortality risks, with healthcare systems often unable to meet the increased demand for services. Pregnant women, newborns, and families are among the most vulnerable, facing threats from disrupted access to care, poor nutrition, and unsafe environments.

The discussion also underscored midwives’ indispensable role as frontline responders in this crisis, “Midwives are not only healthcare providers but also agents of change in their communities,” said Ngusale. “Their ability to adapt to climate challenges while safeguarding maternal and reproductive health is crucial.”

Dr. Mazen Mlkawi, Regional Director for Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization (WHO), echoed Ngusale’s sentiments, noting the profound intersection of climate and health.

This sentiment was also echoed by Dr. Abderrahmane Sidi El Moctar of Mauritania, who moderated the session. Highlighting findings from a recent UNFPA study, he stated, ” UNFPA ‘s study shed light on the critical role midwives can play as catalysts for climate action, bridging the gap between policy and practice in vulnerable regions.”

Izzy Rigda, an Australian policy, economics, and public impact expert, stressed that climate change exacerbates gender disparities. In her view, “Climate shocks disproportionately impact women in the global south.”

Rigda said, “Women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate shocks. Some are forced to relocate, which increases their exposure to gender-based violence. Additionally, they often shoulder the burden of securing resources for their families in the aftermath of disasters.”

She called for stronger policy measures to protect women and girls and healthcare systems are not only climate-resilient but also gender-responsive.

The panel concluded with a resounding call to action, urging decision-makers to prioritize investments in midwifery training that address gender inequities. Additionally, the panelists called for the urgent need to integrate climate adaptation strategies into public health plans to safeguard reproductive and maternal health in the face of an uncertain climate future.

Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of the Union of the Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCGLA), underscored this in the morning while underscoring the urgent need for adaptation. 

Speaking  during a panel on emerging digital technologies, he said, “Adaptation is key in climate change resilience,” 

Mbassi also said, “Africa pays double what is going into African care, “ emphasizing that, “Africa  needs to use technology to try and catch up with adaptation.”

This notwithstanding the proposed technology for adaptation for Africa is largely foreign. The continent’s innovations  are less than 10 percent of the globally known ideas.

Notably, Mbassi also underscored the importance of transparency in climate finance. In his view “It is important to have a more transparent system,” 

However, transparency is a bit farfetched, Chris Poullaira, the Chief Technology Officer of Blockchains and Climate Institute, outrightly said while explaining the complexities of global governance. 

In a rather unorthodox stance, he said,” AI is not necessarily the panacea of climate change,”

“If we do not have a robust system that is timely and credible, it will be difficult to address the climate crisis.”

Poullaira believes that the challenges of building prototype technologies for climate change have caused an unspoken mistrust among stakeholders.

But he is not alone, a group of activists at COP29 also lauded his views stating that climate finance is a hoax and decision-makers have decided to make Africans more poorer by deliberately making them pay up for the challenges they already endure.

Whether COP 29 will yield any tangible outcomes to aid Africa’s burden will be told over time. 

Women, particularly those in arid and semi-arid areas, bear the greatest burden. With fewer resources and less access to decision-making spaces, they are more vulnerable to climate shocks. Meanwhile, those with power and wealth are often the first to benefit from emerging opportunities in a low-carbon economy.

Despite these challenges, the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA) has launched a bold initiative called Resisting Exploitation, Claiming Liberation and Justice for Women (RECLAIM). The initiative is focused on empowering women to lead the charge for change and shape a more secure, just, and sustainable future.

Notably, climate change has increased gender-based violence in Kenya including Tharaka Nthi County, which, faces a significant challenge with high rates of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), particularly violence against women and girls.The county has been identified as a hotspot for GBV, with studies revealing high incidences of hitting, beating, and even killings.

It is against this backdrop that the the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA) puts Tharka Nithi women first so that they can be empowered to make a difference while also safeguarding their future and well- being.

It is clear that climate change is felt globally, however, the burden is not shared equally. Women, often with the fewest resources, continue to be disproportionately affected. Yet, when given the opportunity to contribute to climate mitigation, they leave nothing to chance and are better equipped to address sexual and gender-based violence, which is often amplified by climate change. Whether the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA) will achieve lasting transformation remains to be seen but what is certain is that with women at the forefront, meaningful change is not only possible, it is inevitable.

In her keynote address, Ms. Kombi emphasized the importance of youth engagement in climate action, noting that young people made up 80% of Kenya’s population. She highlighted that the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) created opportunities for youth to learn about climate issues through workshops, training, and educational initiatives. She also stressed that the time had come to empower the youth as critical stakeholders in the climate agenda.

Notably, the landmark brought together a dynamic cohort of young leaders from Baringo, West Pokot, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Samburu, Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet, with the aim of, equipping them with skills needed to develop bankable climate proposals and access climate finance. With climate change posing an existential threat, the event was timely as it underscored the critical role of young people in shaping a sustainable future.

Speaking during the convening James Thonjo, the  Youth Coordinator from  the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry said,” We are devoted to ensuring that the youth are engaged in climate finance discussions.”

Thonjo insisted that, “It is only through learning about financing that the youth can be properly prepared to make significant change.”

The program kicked off with a deep dive into Kenya’s legal, policy, and institutional frameworks for climate action. During his presentation, Thonjo highlighted opportunities for youth within the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP 2023-2027) and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 2031-2035), urging participants to seize these spaces to amplify their impact.

Nina Silantoi, Social Justice and Community Engagement Lead at the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA) said,“Our future as the youth is secured because we are meaningfully engaged in climate action.”She also said, ” We are the now leaders and our actions will determine our tomorrow.”

Silantoi underscored the pivotal role of young people in driving climate action, arguing that youth are essential in bridging the persistent gap between policy and implementation. Whether these efforts translate into long-term, bankable climate solutions, however, remains to be foretold with time.