By Fatima Saka
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Over 45 African Heads of State, climate experts, and global stakeholders will converge in Addis Ababa from September 8th to 10th, 2025, for the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), a pivotal moment to drive Africa’s climate leadership, green industrialisation, and equitable climate finance.
Co-convened by the Government of Ethiopia and the African Union Commission, ACS2 will be held under the theme “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development”. The summit will focus on two major pillars: showcasing African-led climate solutions and unlocking climate finance at scale.
This was announced in a press release through Mensur Dessie Nuri (Mr.) Chair, Communications and Media Committee of the ACS2, on Saturday.
With 2024 marked as the hottest year on record, and 2025 poised to eclipse it, Africa’s climate vulnerabilities are growing. Despite contributing less than 4% of global emissions, African nations are disproportionately affected by climate shocks, with many forced to divert over 5% of their GDP to respond to climate-related disasters.
Climate Finance Gap at the Core of ACS2
A central agenda at ACS2 is addressing the continent’s chronic underfunding for climate action. According to AU Commissioner Moses Vilakati, Africa needs $3 trillion to meet its climate goals by 2030, but only $30 billion was mobilized between 2021–2022. Vilakati emphasized the urgency:
“Only 18% of mitigation and 20% of adaptation needs are funded. ACS2 is our moment to innovate and deliver solutions rooted in Africa’s own realities.”
From Declarations to Delivery, Building on the Nairobi Declaration of 2023, ACS2 aims to shift from commitment to implementation. Ethiopia’s State Minister of Planning and Development, Seyoum Mekonen, stated:
“ACS2 is not just another event, it is our COP. Africa is too often portrayed as a victim of climate change. This Summit will affirm that we are a continent of solutions.”
The summit will spotlight Africa’s green ambition, including scaling renewable energy capacity to 300 GW by 2030 to enable universal energy access and green industrialisation, a key step in reshoring value-added manufacturing to the continent.
Innovation and Leadership in Adaptation
From digital forest monitoring to solar-powered irrigation and indigenous early warning systems, African innovations in climate resilience will take center stage. Mr. Harsan Nyambe, Director at the AU Commission, announced the launch of a new AU-led early warning and adaptation programme to support member states with equipment, data integration, and capacity building.
The summit will also unveil a Flagship Report on African-Led Initiatives, showcasing transformative, homegrown projects in reforestation, drought-resilient agriculture, and climate-smart infrastructure.
Pushing for Climate Finance Reform
According to Abas Mohammed, ACS2 co-chair and climate policy expert: “The summit will interrogate whether current finance mechanisms are fit for purpose, and call for more accessible grant-based and concessional funding for African adaptation efforts.”
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With over 400 side events, 74 pavilions, and extensive consultations with CSOs, private sector players, development partners, and faith-based organizations, ACS2 is positioned as a bold platform for Africa to assert its role in shaping the global climate agenda ahead of COP30.
Media Contact:
Mr. Mensur Dessie Nuri
Chair, Communication and Media Committee
Ministry of Planning & Development, Ethiopia
communications@africaclimatesummit2.et
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Co-Chair of the Communication and Media Committee, African Union Commission
Email: MolaletT@africanunion.org
Visit: https://africaclimatesummit2.et
https://au.int/en/newsevents/20250908/second-africa-climate-summit
#ACS2 #AfricaClimateSummit #GreenAfrica #ClimateJustice #Agenda2063 #Ethiopia #COP30
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