2:00 – 4:00 PM EAT / 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM GMT / 6:00 – 8:00 AM EST

Join us for the presentation of a new research report on nature-based solutions in sub-Saharan Africa from WRI and the World Bank, with contributions from the African Development Bank, as well as WRI's new Green-Gray Infrastructure Accelerator.

2024 was a year of harrowing climate events across sub-Saharan Africa. Devastating floods, extreme heat, and drought are just some of the challenges for the region, and they are likely to continue due to climate change. In the face of these risks, governments and communities alike will need to act and invest to build climate resilience, keep people safe, meet infrastructure needs, and grow their economies. But what efforts have already been made, and what else is needed?

This event aims to advance nature-based solutions, including green-gray infrastructure, in sub-Saharan Africa to bolster climate resilience. The event will dive into a new report, Growing Resilience: Unlocking the Potential of Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa. Experts and report authors will explore the current landscape of NBS across the region, painting a picture of where progress has emerged and what actions can be taken to fill existing gaps. We will also launch the Green-Gray Infrastructure Accelerator, a cohort of 11 cities across seven countries in the region that are using NBS to meet infrastructure needs while boosting climate resilience.

The event will feature high-level officials from cities and countries across Africa, investors and funders of NBS, civil society leaders, and senior representatives from multilateral development banks. This event is hosted as part of the UrbanShift Regional Africa Forum in Nairobi.

Speakers:

  • Wanjira Mathai, Managing Director, Africa and Global Partnerships, WRI
  • Qimiao Fan, Country Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda, World Bank
  • Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya, Mayor of Tshwane, South Africa
  • Rebekah Shirley, Deputy Director for Africa, WRI (moderator)
  • Natasha Collins, Project Manager, WRI
  • Lizzie Marsters, Environmental Finance Manager, WRI
  • Boris Van Zanten, Disaster Risk Management Specialist, GFDRR/World Bank Group
  • Hellen Wanjohi-Opil, Climate and Engagement Lead, WRI Africa
  • Joseph Kimani, Shack Dwellers International Kenya
  • Fitse Gelaye, Resilient Cities Network