- About Us
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Mission and Approach
Complex Climate Problems Require Innovative African Solutions
The African Climate Foundation, established in 2020, is the first African-led strategic grant-maker working at the nexus of climate change and development.
Driving Climate Development in Africa
Despite contributing the least to climate change, Africa remains the most vulnerable region in the world to climate change, impacting countries across the continent, undermining food security, threatening livelihoods, and displacing people groups. The African response to climate change must be uniquely African.
The transformation of African economies requires impact at a systems level to shift existing and future path dependencies at a national, regional and international level and across key economic sectors. We believe that climate change interventions have immense potential to unlock new opportunities for development in Africa.
To realise this potential we need to rethink development framing in three ways:
- Climate change cannot continue to be viewed separately from questions of
development, or as a hindrance to African development. - Climate change needs to be brought to the forefront of development thinking and planning in Africa.
- Interventions need to be context specific and informed and guided by a thorough political economy understanding of the factors that actually drive meaningful change.
- Catalyse new ideas and advocate for climate resilience solutions.
- Support and amplify the voice and agency of a capacitated, well-resourced, independent and multi-disciplinary African climate movement.
- Unlock new opportunities for climate change interventions.
- Transform key economic sectors in Africa to ensure social, economic and climate resilience.
A vibrant and climate-resilient Africa in which inclusive socio-economic development delivers sustainable and equitable growth.
We believe that change cannot be brought about by one party acting alone. We actively pursue, support and foster strong partnerships and platforms for collaboration. Through incremental sectoral, regional and national interventions, we adopt a two-track approach premised on high-level political and technical engagements while also building strong grassroots coalitions and movements.
- Converge a greater understanding of the impact of climate change on the African economy to develop a more robust African position that will realise climate resilience, increased climate finance and economic and social development.
- Assist the global climate philanthropy fraternity and mobilisie global and regional philanthropic to support sustained African-led climate action.
- Profile, support and elevate African voices and organisations in the climate and development debate.
- Support capacity and capability within regional institutions, national governments and civil society to form a multi-disciplinary engagement ecosystem that is able to communicate and advocate for real economy and just outcomes.
Strategic Framework
For an overview of our theoretical framing, our body of work, our objectives and our approach to delivering impact, view our strategic framework.
