LEADERS ENDORSE AFRICA CLIMATE INVESTMENT PLATFORM TO ACCELERATE CLIMATE FINANCE

KCIC Chief Executive Officer Joseph Murabula (centre),addressing the media during the opening of the Africa Climate Investment Summit 2025 in Nairobi, where leaders launched the Africa Climate Investment Platform to boost green growth across the continent.

By: Gladys K 

African leaders, ministers, investors, and development partners have launched the Africa Climate Investment Platform (ACIP) during the opening of the Africa Climate Investment Summit (ACIS 2025) in Nairobi. Hosted by the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC), the summit aims to attract more funding and partnerships to support Africa’s green transition under the theme “Unlocking African Investments into the Green Economy.”

Over 100 high-level delegates attended, including Kenya's Environment Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary, Rwanda’s Environment Minister, and ambassadors from Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. Global partners such as the World Bank, FCDO, and the Swiss Embassy also joined the summit, reaffirming support for Africa’s climate goals.

KCIC CEO Joseph Murabula called for more local financing to power Africa’s climate transition. “Africa’s green transition cannot rely solely on external financing it must be driven by African institutions, entrepreneurs, and investors,” he said.

GIZ Country Director Bodo Immink noted that the green economy is not only an environmental need but also a major economic opportunity. “With the right investments, Africa can lead in sustainable production, recycling, and inclusive innovation,” he said.

KCIC Consulting Group CEO Edward Mungai urged African leaders to move from commitments to implementation. “Africa’s climate economy will thrive when we turn ambition into projects and projects into prosperity,” he said.

While officially opening the summit, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry welcomed delegates to Nairobi, calling the event a vital step toward mobilizing climate finance. She praised KCIC’s leadership and emphasized that Africa is rich in natural resources but still struggles with limited and slow access to climate funding.

“In Africa, climate finance has become both the key to and a barrier against investment,” she said. “Finance is slow, complex, and insufficient, leaving Africa’s climate ambitions largely unfunded.”

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Deborah Barasa (center).

The CS highlighted Kenya’s progress under President William Ruto’s leadership through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), positioning the country as a global hub for climate innovation. Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 2031–2035 requires USD 62 billion, with 19% to be financed domestically and the remaining USD 45 billion open to private investment.

She added that Kenya’s new Climate Change (Carbon Trading) Regulations, 2025, and policies on green bonds and public-private partnerships create a stable framework for investors. “Kenya is open for green business. We have policy certainty and regulatory stability,” she said.

The CS called on investors to look beyond outdated narratives of risk, innovators to keep building Africa’s solutions, and development partners to help de-risk investments and strengthen blended finance. “Let this summit be remembered for deals sealed and projects funded,” she concluded, declaring the Africa Climate Investment Summit 2025 officially open.

The three-day event will feature deal rooms, innovation showcases, and policy sessions, culminating in the Africa Climate Investment Manifesto to be presented at COP30 in Brazil.

KCIC CEO Murabula reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to building a climate-resilient private sector. “Africa is ready to invest in its own future,” he said. “KCIC will continue linking capital and creativity to ensure every investment supports people, the planet, and shared prosperity.”