Africa Climate Summit
V20 at the Africa Climate Summit
4 – 6 September, 2023
(times indicated are in local Nairobi time)
Ministerial Day
4th September 2023
Plenary 1: Opening: The Power of the Potential
Room: Tsavo
Time: 9:00am – 10:30am
To set the stage for ACS and ACW, showcasing Africa’s potential in addressing climate challenges, emphasizing the need for a fairer financial system, and highlighting the road to COP28. The youth and Indigenous People and Local Communities will also present their statements to the Summit.
Master of Ceremonies (MC): Julie Gichuru
Moderator: Hon. Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary, Environment, Climate Change & Forestry, Government of Kenya
Invited speakers:
- H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission Youth Representative
- Indigenous People Representative
- Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC
- H.E William Ruto, President, Kenya
Parallel 2a: Scaling High Impact Finance for Africa
Room: Tsavo
Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm
To discuss specific instruments that can be used to scale external climate finance funding in Africa, discuss why they are not being rolled out at scale, what barriers exist, and suggestions on how to overcome select barriers. This session will focus on scaling high leverage ratio instruments and reducing cost of capital through blended finance as well as on creating a supportive policy environment to attract green international investment.
MC: Julie Gichiru
Moderator: Katherine Stodulka, Director, Blended Finance Taskforce
Invited speakers:
- Opening: Alain Ebobissé, CEO, Africa50
Panel 1:
- Hon. Barbara Creecy, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South Africa
- Dan Jørgensen, Minister for Development and Global Climate Policy, Denmark
- Iipumbu Shiimi, Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Namibia
- Mimi Alemayehou, Senior Advisor, Allied Climate Partners
- Dr. Benedict Oramah, AfriExim Bank
- Ruurd Brouwer, CEO, TCX Fund
Panel 2:
- Hon. Ndagijimana Uzziel, Minister of Finance, Rwanda
- Bogolo Kenewendo, Special Advisor and Africa Director to the UN High Level Champions
- H.E. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State for Finance and Economic Planning, Republic of Ghana
- Jennifer Morgan, Special Climate Envoy and State Secretary, Germany
- Tavraj Banga, Partner and Co-Head Climate Investments, Helios
Parallel 3b: Carbon Markets in the Global South
Room: Aberdares
Time: 12:00 – 1:30pm
The session convenes prominent figures to delve into Africa’s expanding role in voluntary carbon markets. Discussions will center on strategies to accelerate Africa’s carbon credit supply, aiming to amplify its delivery from a mere 2% of its potential to 40% by 2030. This enhancement aims for the trading of 300 MT/year, eventually escalating to over 2 GT/year, thus capitalizing on Africa’s potential for nature-based solutions. Furthermore, there’s an emphasis on enlarging the potential demand for African credits, ensuring their viability in global markets such as and promoting frameworks for intergovernmental trading mechanisms.
Invited Speakers:
Moderator: William Asiko, Vice President Africa, The Rockefeller Foundation
- John Kerry, US Special Climate Envoy, USA
- Paul Muthaura, Interim CEO, Africa Carbon Markets Initiative
Panel 1:
Moderator: Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Global advisor, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet
- Hon. Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary, Environment, Climate Change & Forestry, Government of Kenya
- Hon. Ernesto Max Elias Tonela, Mozambique
- H.E. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State for Finance and Economic Planning, Republic of Ghana
- Dr. Andrew Steer, CEO, Bezos Earth Fund
Panel 2:
Moderator: Ariel Perez, Managing Partner, Vertree
- Angela Churie Kallhauge, Executive Vice President, Environmental Defense Fund
- Lamin Manjang, Vice Chairman, Africa, Standard Chartered
- Ethiopis Tafara, Vice President and Chief Risk, Legal and Administrative Officer, MIGA
- Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, United Nations High Level Champions
- H.E Ambassador Majid, Director General, COP 28
Parallel 3c: Adaptation across the Continent
Room: Lenana
Time: 12:00 – 1:30pm
MC: Terry Anne Chebet
Moderator: Kulthoum Omari, Africa Adaptation Initiative
- Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Uganda
- Flavien P. Joubert, Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Seychelles
- Jean-Luc Assi, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Cote d’Ivoire
- Samia Moualfi, Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy, Algeria
- Adda Brahim Hmeim, Minister of Water and Environment, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
- Eamon Ryan, Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Ireland
- Kai Mykkänen, Minister of Climate and the Environment, Finland
Event: High-level roundtable discussion on the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in achieving shared climate and development goals in Africa
Venue: Sarova Stanley Hotel
Time: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
(invite-only)
Event: From Commitments to Action: Creating Fiscal Space for Climate Action, Agenda 2063, and the SDGs in Africa
Venue: AU Pavilion
Time: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Brief description
Africa needs an extra USD 1.6 trillion by 2030 – USD 194 billion annually – to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Paris Summit reaffirmed that “no country should ever have to choose between reducing poverty, achieving a green transition, and preserving the planet.” However, the current reality looks different as 57% of African countries spend more revenue on debt service than on health care. The unfolding debt crisis is fuelling a development crisis, hindering countries’ ability to invest in SDGs and climate action. This panel discussion aims to explore actionable proposals to effectively address the intersection of debt, climate, and development.
In the first round, panellists will focus on actions that African countries can take in collaboration with the international community, including Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), to increase available financing for Agenda 2063 and the SDGs. Topics of discussion will include increasing climate finance, including grants, through MDB’s concessional lending windows, scaling up climate-resilient debt clauses, and providing guarantees to support initiatives like debt-for-climate swaps and the issuance of green and blue bonds. In the second round, panellists will focus on how African countries can better monetize their rich natural capital, including through the development of effective carbon markets.
Building on the outcome of recent Summits and conferences, the main objective of this session is to move from commitments to action. Panellists will be expected to highlight existing efforts and outline key actions and steps required to effectively mobilise additional financing in support of African efforts to create fiscal space for climate action, Agenda 2063, and the SDGs with a view to achieve inclusive green growth and sustainable development.
High-level speakers (tbc)
- H.E. Ève Bazaiba, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Environment, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- H.E. Njuguna Ndung’u, Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury and Economic Planning, Kenya
- H.E. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State for Finance and Economic Planning, Republic of Ghan
- Rt Hon. Andrew Mitchell, Minister of State for Development and Africa, United Kingdom
- H.E. Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, African Union Commission
- Dr Hanan Morsy, Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
- Ms Hassatou N’Sele, Vice President Finance and CFO, African Development Bank
- Representative of private sector
Country Representation: Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Ghana
Partners: AUC, UNECA
Event: A Fit-for-Climate Global Financial System? Now or Never.
Venue: African Union Pavilion, Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
Time: 3.15PM-4.15PM
Event Objectives
The roundtable event carries the following objectives:
- Building from prior conversations, arrive at a priority set of transformational, timely, and targeted reforms for submission to the Heads of State panel and Nairobi Declaration.
- Unpack and tackle Africa’s opportunities and priorities in achieving a fit-for-climate global financial system to meet priorities of the 2063 Agenda and the SDG Stimulus through action within 2030
- Advocate for collective action for the international financial architecture to immediately align with climate science through the Accra-Marrakech Agenda which represents longer term reform with immediate application while advancing critical improvements, including those identified in the Bridgetown Initiative 2.0. It is time to make debt work for the most vulnerable, to overcome capital hurdles to investment, and to facilitate global exchange through carbon finance. It is likewise urgent to fully integrate climate risks into macroeconomic planning processes and tools, for development finance institutions (DFIs) to prioritise climate action, and establish prearranged and trigger-based funds that vulnerable nations have long called for.
- Energise existing and growing coalitions of climate vulnerable nations on debt sustainability and climate prosperity to unlock new avenues for economic cooperation and innovative financing centred around ambitious and climate-smart targets that aim at optimising core development-positive climate action outcomes, including boosting the SDGs progress.
- Exchange views and next steps on a strategy for engaging key players and investors towards Climate Prosperity.
Moderator: Mr. Renato Redentor Constantino, Deputy Chair, Climate Vulnerable Forum Expert Advisory Group
Programme Outline
- Key Note Address (5 minutes)-
- H.E. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State for Finance and Economic Planning, Republic of Ghana (5 minutes)
- Perspectives on the Transformation Agenda (as related to multilateral reform, debt sustainability, international taxation and private sector participation) (40 minutes)
Panel 1- H.E. Njuguna Ndung’u CBS, Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury & Economic Planning, Republic of Kenya (5 minutes)
- Hon. Woda Jeremiah Jago MP, Parliamentarian in the East African Legislative Assembly, South Sudan (5 minutes)
- Dr. Hanan Morsy, Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (5 minutes)
Panel 2
- Ms. Laurence Tubiana, CEO, European Climate Foundation (5 minutes)
- Mr. Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director for Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank (5 minutes)
- Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General (5 minutes)
- Mr. Kevin P. Gallagher, Member, Task Force for Climate, Development and the IMF (5 minutes)
- Ms. Pepukaye Bardouille, Bridgetown Initiative Director and Special Advisor on Climate Resilience to the Prime Minister, Barbados (5 minutes)
- Reflections (5 minutes)
- H.E. Ambassador Seyni Nafo, Coordinator, Africa Adaptation Initiative (5 minutes)
- Closing by Moderator (5 minutes)
Parallel 5a: Spotlight on African financial markets – scaling up domestic private capital to accelerate Africa’s green economic transformation
Room: Tsavo
Time: 4:30pm – 6:00pm
In this session, the current state of climate finance in Africa will be explored, noting that domestic institutions contribute only 3%, leaving the continent vulnerable to external financial dependencies and risks. By examining potential structural changes in financial markets – from green fiscal policies and enhanced pension fund regulations to the establishment of new exchanges – pathways for African leaders to bolster innovation, fortify financial markets, and
elevate investments in climate and nature-related endeavors will be highlighted.
MC: Julie Gichuru
Invited speakers:
Moderator: Frannie Lautier, CEO, SouthBridge Investments
Panel 1:
- Hon. Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance, Morocco
- Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury & Planning, Kenya
- Hon. Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development,
- Uganda
- Rt Hon. Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UK
Panel 2:
- H.E Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Ethiopia
- Admassu Tadesse, President Emeritus and Group Managing Director, TDB Group
- Alexia Latortue, Assistant Secretary for International Trade and Development, US Treasury
- Aminu Umar-Sadiq, CEO, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority
Panel 3:
Moderator: Bogolo Kenewendo, Former Min. of Investment, Botswana, Special Advisor and Africa Director to the UN
High Level Champions
- Hon. Sosten Gwengwe, Minister of Finance & Economic Affairs, Malawi
- Nardos Bekele -Thomas, CEO, AUDA-NEPAD
- Ron Mincy, Head of Africa, CFP, BlackRock Climate Infrastructure
- Solomon Quaynor, Vice President, Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization, AfDB
Presidential Day Program
5th September 2023
Opening 1: Africa Engaging the World
Room: Tsavo
Time: 10:00am – 10:45 am
MC: Julie Gichuru
Moderator: Hon. Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary, Environment, Climate Change & Forestry, Government of Kenya
Invited speakers:
- H.E William Ruto, President, Kenya
- H.E. Azali Assoumani, President, Comoros
- António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations
- H.E Moussa Faki, Chairperson, African Union Commission
Plenary 3: Charting a Vision: Investment Opportunities for Green Growth
Room: Tsavo
Time: 11:30am – 12:30am
To present a forward-looking vision for green growth in Africa, highlighting key investment opportunities that promote sustainability and economic prosperity.
MC: Terry Anne Chebet
Moderator: Damilola Ogunbiyi, UN Special Representative of the Secretary General/ CEO, Sustainable Energy for All
Invited speakers:
- H.E William Ruto, President Kenya
- H.E. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister, Ethiopia
- H.E. Bola Tinubu, President, Nigeria
- H.E. Macky Sall, President, Senegal
Plenary 4: Carbon Markets Announcement
Room: Tsavo
Time: 12:30am – 1:30pm
Significant announcement on carbon markets in Africa.
MC: Terry Anne Chebet
Moderator: H.E Ivan Duque, Former President, Colombia
Invited speakers:
- H.E William Ruto, President, Kenya
- H.E Lazarus Chakwera, President, Malawi
- H.E. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President, Mozambique
- H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President, Ghana
Plenary 5: New Global Climate Finance Architecture
Room: Tsavo
Time: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
The session will provide an update on the progress of new financial architecture and reform proposals from Africa related to climate finance. It will highlight the link between global financial inequities and insufficient finance for development and climate needs, emphasizing the urgency of scaling climate finance. The panel will present the African common position on global financial architecture reform, focus on high-impact reforms of existing structures and instruments, and propose priority asks and commitments, aiming to inform key international meetings on Africa’s stance on climate financing.
MC: Julie Gichuru
Moderator: Dr. James Mwangi, CEO, Equity Bank
Invited speakers:
Panel 1:
- H.E. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President, Egypt
- H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President, Ghana
- H.E William Ruto, President, Kenya
- Dr. Sultan Jaber, COP28 President
- H.E António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations
- H.E. Ursula von der Leyen, President, European Commission
- H.E Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister, Pakistan
Panel 2:
- Alexia Latortue, Assistant Secretary for International Trade and Development, US Treasury
- Hon. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Minister for State Development, France
- Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank
- Axel Van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director, World Bank
- Gita Gopinath, Deputy Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
Panel 3:
- Vera Songwe, Chair of the Board of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility, Brookings
- Hubert Danso, CEO, Africa Investor
- Carlos Lopez, Professor, University of Cape Town, and Chair, Africa Climate Foundation
Parallel 6a: Unlocking the potential of a Regenerative Blue Economy in Africa and beyond
Room: Tsavo
Time: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
This session will showcase and promote Africa’s commitment to developing a regenerative blue economy and advancing the Great Blue Wall initiative, highlight the establishment of the African High Level Panel for a Regenerative Blue Economy and its role in providing strategic direction and policy guidance for sustainable blue economic growth and emphasize the importance of fostering partnerships and collaborations with international organizations and the private sector to drive investments and innovation in coastal and ocean biodiversity conservation for a nature-positive blue economy in Africa.
MC: Julie Gichuru
Moderator: Inger Anderson, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme
Invited speakers:
Opening: H.E. President Azali Assoumani, President, Comoros
Panel 1:
- H.E. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President, Mozambique
- H.E. Wavel Ramkalawan, President, Seychelles
- H.E. António Guterres, Secretary General, United Nations
- H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, COP28 High Level Climate Champion and President of IUCN
Panel 2:
- H.E William Ruto, President, Kenya
- H.E. Brahim Ghali, President, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
- H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President, Tanzania
- H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohmaud, President of Somalia
- Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, Secretary General, Commonwealth
Parallel 6b: Scaling up adaptation
Room: Aberdares
Time: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Moderator: Mr. Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, Assistant-Secretary General, United Nations and Director General of the
African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group
Invited speakers:
Opening:
- President, Gabon
- Ban Ki – Moon, Former United Nations Secretary General and Chair, Global Green Growth Institute
Panel 1:
- H.E. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President, Egypt
- H.E. Julius Maada Wonie Bio, President, Sierra Leone
- John Kerry, United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, USA
Panel 2:
- H.E Mohamed Younis A. Menfi, President, Libya
- Prof. Petteri Taalas, Secretary General, World Meteorological Organization
- Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
Panel 3:
- Axel Van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director, World Bank
- Achim Steiner, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme
- Rodger Voorhies, President of Global Growth and Opportunity, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Parallel 7a: Critical Minerals for Green Manufacturing
Room: Tsavo
Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
This session will delve into the pivotal role of Africa’s critical minerals in the global shift towards renewable energy. It emphasizes the need for leaders in mineral-rich countries to strategically leverage this transition to enhance local interests and livelihoods while ensuring a sustainable supply of minerals. By drawing insights from innovative business models within the continent, the discussion will focus on maximizing local value addition through green mineral supply chains. Furthermore, the session will explore avenues for regional collaboration to drive investment, bolster renewable energy capacity, foster local manufacturing, establish equitable trade rules, and promote responsible and ethical mining practices.
MC: Terry Anne Chebet
Moderator: James Mwangi, CEO, Climate Action Platform for Africa (CAP-A)
Invited speakers:
Panel 1:
- H.E. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President, Democratic Republic of Congo
- H.E. Hage Geingob, President, Namibia
- H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President, Zambia
- H.E Ursula von der Leyen, President, European Commision
- John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, USA
Panel 2:
- Dr Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP27, Egypt
- Samaila Zubairu, CEO and President, Africa Finance Corporation
- Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency
- Antonio Pedro, Executive Secretary, UNECA
- Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, Secretary-General, African Continental Free Trade Area
