More funds needed for Africa’s climate adaptation, say experts

Africa should get more funding to adapt to climate change as it suffers disproportionately from it, experts have said.

Africa should get more funding to adapt to climate change as it suffers disproportionately from it, experts have said.

Speaking during the Vatican African Conference on Climate Resilience in Nairobi, they noted that Africa contributes the least to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Despite this, the continent is reeling from the effects of climate change, including declining agricultural productivity.

Dr Eliane Ubalijoro, CEO of the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), said action must be matched with investment to build lasting resilience.

“We’ve all witnessed the devastating effects, from prolonged droughts to catastrophic floods,” he said.

“Without timely and adequate resources reaching those on the frontlines, even the most ambitious plans will remain theoretical.”

The conference aimed to chart an African-led path toward climate resilience in the lead-up to the next Climate Change Conference, COP30, in Brazil in November.

It was convened by the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences in partnership with CIFOR-ICRAF, the Network of African Science Academies (Nasac) and other local actors.

Participants noted the need to reform climate financing models to prioritise direct access for cities and local governments.

They argued that local authorities must be equipped not only with funds but also with the decision-making power and technical capacity to design and implement solutions tailored to their communities.

Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo, who chairs the Climate Change Committee at the Council of Governors, said limited financing, weak coordination and lack of technical skills remain major barriers.

“These challenges highlight the need for stronger institutional support and capacity building to empower African regions to adapt and thrive,” he said.

Dr Joachim von Braun, president of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, stressed that climate action must be locally driven and science-backed.

“Africa can achieve climate resilience when action-oriented alliances are formed among local governments, farmers, civil society, scientists and business, and supported by robust adaptation finance.”

Nasac executive director Dr Jacqueline Kado added that Africa’s journey to resilience must be science-informed, justice-grounded, youth-driven and community-rooted.

Participants also called for urgent investment in resilient food, land and water systems, highlighting climate-smart agriculture, integrated land-use planning and water harvesting as effective adaptation strategies rooted in African innovation and research.

Nature-based solutions like reforestation and eco-friendly infrastructure were lauded as cost-effective, culturally relevant and ecologically sound.

Archbishop Philip Anyolo, head of the Catholic Church in Kenya, said climate change is an existential, spiritual and geopolitical crisis that demands moral clarity and collective action.

“Climate change is not just an environmental concern. It’s about justice, equity and the future of life on this planet,” he said.

Cardinal Peter Turkson, chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out the ethical obligation to protect the Earth.

“We must move from being stewards of creation to carers of creation. What we received with beauty, we must not return as wilderness,” he said.

Valerie Nutakor, representing young climate leaders, called for greater inclusion and access to information and financing.

"There’s nothing about the youth without us. We need accessible climate tools and resources, especially for vulnerable groups, so that no one is left behind," said Nutakor.