At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Azerbaijan, African nations are making a powerful call for more equitable climate financing solutions, with Kenya taking a leading role in advocating for critical reforms. Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi joined African civil society voices in demanding that wealthy nations honor their climate finance pledges, which are essential to helping developing countries cope with the escalating impacts of climate change.
Kenya has felt the brunt of climate change firsthand, enduring prolonged droughts in 2022 that led to the death of over 2.4 million livestock, followed by destructive floods in 2023. These events have heightened the urgency of Kenya’s call for global climate finance reform. Speaking at the COP29 summit, Mudavadi highlighted the need for a redesigned credit rating system that accurately reflects the risk profiles of developing nations. Such a system could unlock much-needed funding from multilateral development banks and increase access to affordable climate financing.
Kenya’s stance is part of a broader demand from African countries and civil society organizations (CSOs) that the climate finance commitments of developed countries become more transparent, accessible, and reliable. Mudavadi emphasized the need for wealthy nations to meet their promised $1.3 trillion in climate finance by 2025. He argued that this funding would be instrumental in supporting national adaptation plans, transitioning to low-carbon economies, and building climate-resilient infrastructures in developing nations.
“Climate finance must not only be available but accessible and timely, to address the immediate needs of Africa’s most vulnerable communities,” stated Mudavadi, underscoring the urgent nature of these financial commitments.
The Call for Increased Funding to the Loss and Damage Fund
African civil society groups, including the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), are urging for an expansion of the Loss and Damage Fund a financial mechanism aimed at supporting communities affected by climate disasters. While the fund has received an initial pledge of $700 million, African CSOs argue that this amount is insufficient to address the extensive losses many countries in the Global South are experiencing. The CSOs are also advocating for accelerated disbursements and clearer, less restrictive terms on these funds.
PACJA Executive Director Dr. Mithika Mwenda stressed that it is unjust for African nations, which have historically contributed the least to global carbon emissions, to shoulder the financial burden of combating climate change. “African nations should not be forced into debt to combat a crisis they did not create. Climate finance should be needs-based, sourced from public funds in the Global North, and provided as grants,” Dr. Mwenda declared. He emphasized that funds must be reliable and reach the communities that are most vulnerable to climate change’s impacts. The current funding mechanisms are often fragmented, conditional, or delayed issues that severely limit the efficacy of climate finance in the Global South.
Demand for Nairobi as Headquarters for Santiago Network on Loss and Damage
One of the notable demands from African CSOs at COP29 is the designation of Nairobi as the headquarters for the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage. The Santiago Network aims to enhance technical support and facilitate funding for climate adaptation and loss and damage measures. By situating the network in Nairobi, African leaders argue that it would strengthen Africa’s role in the global climate response and improve access to technical and financial resources tailored to the region’s unique challenges.
Need for Bold Carbon Reduction Commitments
Beyond financial support, African civil society groups at COP29 also called on wealthy nations to set more ambitious carbon reduction targets. Current pledges, they argue, are not strong enough to limit global warming effectively. Inaction or minimal efforts to reduce emissions in the Global North exacerbate the climate crisis, intensifying the strain on African countries already dealing with severe climate impacts.
Strengthening Grassroots Adaptation Efforts
A key focus of the civil society calls at COP29 has been the importance of directing resources to grassroots efforts, where adaptation is most urgently needed. Mwenda called for a shift in climate finance distribution, stating, “Urgent action from governments, civil society, and institutions is needed to support Africa’s adaptive capacity. Resources must reach grassroots efforts where adaptation is most critical.” CSOs argue that local communities, who often bear the greatest brunt of climate change, are best positioned to implement adaptation measures that are culturally and environmentally appropriate. However, these grassroots projects require steady and accessible funding to be effective.
A Path Forward: Equitable Climate Finance Solutions
Kenya’s position at COP29 echoes the sentiments of African leaders and civil society groups who insist that effective climate action requires more than pledges it requires structural reform in climate finance distribution and accountability. The demands laid out at COP29 reflect a growing consensus among African countries that the Global North must not only deliver on existing financial commitments but also overhaul the climate finance system to ensure that developing nations receive the support they need without incurring further debt.
