On September 8, African leaders met in Addis Ababa for the Second Africa Climate Summit and sent a strong message: Africa is ready to lead on climate change. The continent is no longer just asking for help, it wants to be seen as a partner and a source of solutions.
African Leaders at the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, 2025.
For years, Africa has been portrayed mainly as a victim of climate change, facing droughts, floods, and food shortages while contributing very little to global emissions. But at this summit, leaders emphasized the need to move away from traditional climate aid and focus on climate investment. They stressed that Africa should be seen as an opportunity, not just a crisis.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed introduced the African Climate Innovation Initiative, aiming to create 1,000 climate solutions by 2030. These solutions will cover areas like renewable energy, sustainable farming, and green technology. Ethiopia is also showing global leadership by expressing interest in hosting COP32 in 2027, giving Africa a bigger voice in global climate discussions (Reuters).
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, 2025.
Kenya’s President William Ruto voiced frustration at Western countries, including the U.S., U.K., France, and the Netherlands, for not delivering promised climate adaptation funding. He called this failure a “climate blood pact”, highlighting that Africa suffers the most from climate change despite being the least responsible for it (Financial Times).
Kenya’s President William Ruto at the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, 2025.
What stood out most at the summit was a sense of hope and action. African leaders are not just asking for aid, they are reframing the climate debate. By focusing on investment, innovation, and partnerships, the continent is showing that it has the tools and ideas to fight climate change on its own terms.
The Addis Ababa summit may be a turning point for Africa. It shows that the continent is ready to lead global climate solutions, not just follow. The world needs to pay attention, not only to Africa’s challenges but also to its opportunities.
Sources:
- Reuters: African leaders push climate model after US pullback
- Financial Times: Kenya’s Ruto says Western leaders broke 'climate blood pact'
- AP News coverage of the summit