- Programmes
- Sustainable Finance
Sustainable Finance

Unlocking Additional Financing and Financing Instruments in Africa

Africa is at a critical juncture to leverage the socio-economic and environmental benefits of a climate resilient pathway. At the core of the transition is the continent’s finance and investment needs. Despite the growing appetite to invest in Africa’s energy transition and climate-vulnerable sectors, the investment deficit remains considerably high and uneven across the continent. In 2020, of the US$632 billion total climate finance, Africa accounted for only 3% (US$19 billion). The African Development Bank estimates that at least US$1.4 trillion is needed between 2020 and 2030 to implement Africa’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs), but there is a current shortfall of between US$99.9–US$127.2 billion. Overlapping crises and escalating costs of capital are also driving the continent towards a debt precipice. The ACF believes that new forms of finance, the expansion and lowering of the cost of public and private capital, and debt relief can fundamentally reform Africa’s ability to achieve long term transformative and climate resilient growth.
Scaling Up Quality Finance
Our Approach to Sustainable Finance
Our programme activities:
- Articulate an African-led narrative which locates the climate finance debate within the broader context of financing for development and economic transformation.
- Enhance the capacity of African stakeholders to systematically engage and influence policy decisions and negotiations at the international level.
- Support the expansion of innovative sources of finance to improve the quality and quantity of public and private financing flows to Africa.
- Build institutional capacity to support the development of tangible transition plans and strategies that attract climate-friendly investment from multiple sources.
- Strengthen philanthropic coordination and collaboration to inform and enable effective philanthropic support and intervention.