The United Kingdom has unveiled its commitment to invest £49 million in projects aimed at combating climate change across Africa. This announcement comes ahead of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, scheduled to be hosted by Kenya from 4th to 6th September. The projects are expected to focus on mobilising financial resources for climate action and assisting communities in managing the impacts of climate change across the continent.
Ndidiamaka Eze, Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer for Prosperity and Economic Development at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Lagos, confirmed this significant investment. The UK’s funding initiatives aim to create employment opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and enhance the well-being of women, farmers, and vulnerable communities in Africa.
Eze emphasised that mobilising financial resources and helping communities adapt to the effects of climate change are critical aspects of Africa’s fight against climate change. The funding will support early warning systems, such as text alerts, radio broadcasts, and social networks, to empower hard-to-reach communities to take preventive actions before extreme climate events occur. Additionally, these projects will improve water security for more than 1.5 million people.
The UK government’s dedication to these initiatives is in line with the commitment James Cleverley made during his visit to Kenya in December 2022. It also demonstrates the UK’s dedication to its COP26 commitments and showcases the strength and potential of UK-Africa partnerships.
Eze revealed that a significant portion of the funding, £34 million, will finance new projects across 15 African countries. These projects will focus on building resilience against the impacts of climate change for women, vulnerable communities, and over 400,000 farmers under established programmes like CLARE, CIWA, and WISER. The initiatives will enable these communities to access early warning systems, enhance water security, and develop climate-resilient strategies.
Furthermore, seven new climate finance projects worth £15 million will be launched during the summit. These projects, supported by UK-backed FSD Africa Investments, aim to mobilise capital from private sources to facilitate small-scale businesses’ access to finance. They will also support the development of innovative products and inclusive technological solutions, such as transforming arid land into fertile farming areas.
These projects collectively aim to improve access to essential services, including renewable energy and healthcare, for more than 500,000 people. They are projected to generate 3,400 jobs and provide affordable and reliable power to households.
The UK Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, expressed the UK’s commitment to green investment and climate resilience partnerships with African countries. He highlighted the importance of collaborative action to address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on those least responsible for its effects. Mitchell affirmed the UK’s dedication to working closely with African partners to combat climate change, bolster resilience, and support vulnerable populations affected by its consequences.
During his visit to Nairobi, Minister Mitchell will reaffirm the UK’s pledge to provide £11.6 billion in international climate finance over five years. He will also advocate for rapid reforms within the international financial system to unlock trillions of dollars for climate change mitigation.
Additionally, the minister will welcome the launch of “Weza Power,” a new partnership between the Government of Burundi and the UK-backed company Virunga Power. This collaboration seeks to expand energy access to nearly 70% of Burundi’s population.
The minister’s visit will also include a tour of Nairobi Railway City, a city centre regeneration project featuring the latest green technology and supported by £11.5 billion in UK investment. This project is one of six climate investment initiatives fast-tracked by President Ruto and Prime Minister Sunak during COP27. Construction has already commenced, and groundbreaking activities are underway for a second project since the COP27 meeting.
The UK’s substantial investment underscores its commitment to supporting Africa’s climate change resilience and sustainability efforts, further strengthening its collaboration with African nations in the pursuit of a sustainable future.
