YEAR ENDER: How inaugural Africa Climate Summit went down in Nairobi

Kenya this year became the host of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit.

The summit organised in partnership with the African Union took place from September 4 to 6 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre 

The 2023 summit was themed: ‘Driving green growth and climate finance solutions for Africa and the world.’

It brought together heads of state and delegates from across the world.

Before the Summit, KDF officers were deployed at the KICC where they spent day and night preparing the venue for the summit.

Celebrating its 50th year, KICC underwent a temporary closure and a remarkable transformation began.

Arriving in style

Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry CS Soipan Tuya said the venue would then be handed over to the ACS directors once the renovations are done.

"We thank the Kenya Defence Forces under Francis Ogolla who have made sure the area is worked on. We are looking forward to the handover on August 20," she said.

On the d-day, guests and delegates started streaming in at the venue at around 6:30 am for the Africa Climate Summit.

Long queues and security checkups were experienced at different entry points.

President William Ruto also showed up in style as he arrived at KICC for the Summit driving himself from State House in an electric vehicle.

The head of state was received by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, CS Tuya, and other leaders.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Ruto said humanity began in Kenya as human fossils are found in the country.

“I want to officially welcome you home. Kenya is where humanity began. A few kilometers from where you are seated, there are human fossils,” he said.

CS Tuya who was also the moderator of the panel said the meeting was expected to promote global climate action solutions.

She said Africa is part of the solution to curb the climate crisis.

"For a long time, we have been disadvantaged since we contribute the least to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. We have to be part of the solution," she said.

Cash pledges for climate action

President Ruto during the meeting issued Sh7.2 billion to counties for climate change investment grants.

He said the money together with Sh3 billion of county own-resource allocations, will finance local climate action.

"Africa must channel adequate resources through investment and implement appropriate technologies to unleash the full potential of its clean and green natural resource," he said.

On the second day of the summit, opposition leader Raila Odinga graced the Summit.

Raila was received by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who led him to the sitting area.

COP28 President-designate Sultan Al Jaber in his speech announced a UAE finance initiative that will invest $4.5 billion to unlock Africa's clean energy.

He said the investment initiative will aid in unlocking Africa's clean energy potential.

Al Jaber said the initiative is designed to work with Africa, for Africa.

"The initiative will prioritize investments in countries across Africa with clear transition strategies, enhanced regulatory frameworks and a master plan for developing grid infrastructure that integrates supply and demand," he said.

The Nairobi Declaration

On the final day of the summit, President Ruto together with the Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission Moussa Faki signed the Nairobi Declaration.

The declaration was the agreement that African leaders had come up with regarding climate action, climate financing, and how the continent plans to tackle each climate problem.

In a draft of the Nairobi declaration, the African leaders called upon the global community to act with urgency in reducing emissions, fulfilling its obligations, and keeping past promises.

This way the leaders together in one voice also wanted the global community to support the continent in addressing climate change.

“We call upon the global community to accelerate all efforts to reduce emissions to align with goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, to Honor the commitment to provide $100 billion in annual climate finance, as promised 14 years ago at the Copenhagen conference,” the declaration draft stated.

Following the signing of the Nairobi Declaration on climate change, reactions immediately started streaming in from different climate experts.

Dissenting voices

Founding Director of Power Shift Africa Mohamed Adow said they expected the first-ever Africa climate summit to see a radical and people-centered vision for Africa.

Adow said the final declaration was disappointing as it was like the other meetings that bore no fruits.

"We want to see Africa forging a path that embraces Pan-African solidarity, putting people before profit and harnessing our unique position in history as well as vast renewable energy potential," he said.

Children were also not left out in presenting their climate change declaration.

They presented their declaration to President Ruto and Faki.

The children had their summit taking place from September 2 to 3 ahead of the Africa Climate Summit.

They made a call to action and to secure the voices of children in the climate change discourse.

"Even though children and young people are seriously threatened by the impact of climate change, they don’t have a voice in policy formulation, debates, engagement, and decision-making processes," they said.