As the world prepares for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Africa stands at the center of the global climate conversation. A decade after the Paris Agreement, the continent faces the harsh realities of a warming planet — with rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, floods, and tropical cyclones costing up to 5% of Africa’s GDP. By 2030, an estimated 118 million Africans could be exposed to extreme weather. 

Yet amid these vulnerabilities lies immense potential. Africa holds nearly 30% of the world’s critical minerals for the green transition, abundant renewable energy resources, and the world’s youngest workforce. The continent is no longer a peripheral player in global climate action — it is a central driver of solutions. 

As COP30 approaches, Africa enters negotiations with a united voice, calling for greater ambition, equity, and partnership. Its priorities reflect both its vulnerability and its potential — a vision of climate action that drives resilience, inclusive growth, and shared prosperity. 

Here are five priorities for Africa at COP30. 

1. Scaled and Equitable Climate Finance for Resilience 

Africa’s top priority is clear: unlocking scaled, predictable, and fair finance for climate action. Despite losing up to 5% of GDP annually to climate impacts, the continent receives only a fraction of global climate finance. COP30 must deliver a Global Goal on Adaptation backed by direct, grant-based funding for frontline communities — especially in food, water, and energy systems. 

Institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB) remain central to this effort. Through the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program, developed with the Global Center on Adaptation, the AfDB has mobilized $15 billion for over 40 countries. Meanwhile, Country Platforms are helping governments coordinate with investors and development partners to align finance with national priorities and unlock private investment. 

Africa will also push for transparent carbon market rules under Article 6 to attract credible private investment. When designed with strong safeguards, carbon markets can complement public finance and channel billions toward local communities and green innovation. 

Building resilience across key sectors requires scaled-up climate finance — reaching at least US$1.3 trillion annually by 2030 — and ensuring that Africa’s most vulnerable regions are prioritized. 

At COP29, progress was made toward operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund, but much remains to be done. At COP30, Africa will push to make it fully functional, with transparent governance, non-debt-creating finance, and quick disbursement through national treasuries. So far, only US$789 million has been pledged globally, with only $348 million paid by July 2025 — a drop in the ocean compared to the trillions in climate losses faced worldwide. Strengthening data systems and project pipelines will be essential to ensure that funds reach those most affected and are not delayed by bureaucracy. 

Together, these efforts aim to transform Africa’s climate finance narrative — from being a recipient of aid to being a driver of global financial innovation and resilience. 

2. Ambition and Accountability: Delivering NDCs 3.0 

Africa’s climate ambition is inseparable from its development goals. The continent’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) must go beyond emissions targets to become blueprints for inclusive growth, job creation and energy access. 

So far, only 16 African countries have submitted updated NDCs. Progress is slowed by limited technical expertise, weak regulatory frameworks, insufficient data to form baselines, and difficulty coordinating across ministries and stakeholders. Accessing climate finance remains another major barrier. 

At Climate Week in Addis Ababa this year, the Global Ethical Stocktake exposed a familiar but urgent truth: Africa contributes less than 4% of global emissions yet bears the brunt of climate devastation — from prolonged droughts to catastrophic floods. At the same time, more than 600 million Africans still live without access to energy, even as countries spend up to 2% of their GDP on adaptation. The Stocktake is more than a report card; it’s a wake-up call for climate justice. As remaining countries prepare their NDCs 3.0 ahead of COP30, Africa is determined to turn this imbalance into opportunity — aligning its climate plans with inclusive growth, clean energy, and nature-based solutions that can power resilience and prosperity across the continent. 

As Africa updates its NDCs, the message is clear: climate action and development are not competing priorities — they are one and the same. The continent’s green transition must create jobs, strengthen industry, and power sustainable growth. 

3. Protect and Restore Nature and Transform Food Systems 

With COP30 hosted in the Amazon, Africa will champion forests, biodiversity, and resilient food systems as pillars of climate action. The continent seeks equitable access to initiatives like the proposed Tropical Forest Forever Facility and more financing for forest landscape restoration — areas where African nations already lead. 

Projects such as AFR100 and Restore Local are restoring millions of hectares of degraded land, creating jobs, and improving food and water security. Supported by Global Forest Watch, countries are using real-time data to monitor progress and ensure transparency. 

Africa’s vision for protecting people, nature, and food systems is grounded in both science and Indigenous knowledge. Indigenous and Local Communities remain vital — their stewardship is vital for resilience and food security. As COP30 is being framed as the ‘COP of the People’, Africa will champion these, ensuring that community-led approaches are recognized and scaled as a core part of global climate action. 

Africa’s message at COP30 will be clear: investing in nature is investing in people. 

4. Accelerate Access to Clean Energy and Technology 

Africa’s clean energy transition sits at the heart of its development vision. As COP30 advances discussions on a Just Transition Work Programme, Africa will emphasize that energy poverty and development must remain at the heart of the conversation. Over 600 million people still lack access to electricity — a gap that undermines progress on health, education, and economic growth. 

The continent will call for concessional finance, technology transfer, and regional cooperation to expand renewable power generation, modernize grids, and scale up energy storage and electric mobility. 

Africa’s emerging clean manufacturing industries — from critical minerals processing to renewable-powered production — are the backbone of green industrialization. Expanding renewable power and electrifying transport could create millions of new jobs while improving energy security and reducing fuel imports. 

Already, electric mobility is surging — from two- and three-wheelers in East Africa to electric buses in North and Southern Africa. A just transition must support skills development, entrepreneurship, and local innovation to ensure the green economy benefits all. 

Africa’s rapidly growing cities will play a central role in this transition. By 2050, the continent’s urban population will double, putting pressure on housing, transport, and energy systems — but also creating opportunities for innovation. 

The Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) for Climate Action offers a framework for linking national climate goals with local action. At the COP30 Global Leaders Forum, African countries can showcase how climate-smart cities can drive resilience, inclusion, and green growth. 

5. Build Transformative Partnerships 

Climate change knows no borders — and neither can the solutions. Africa’s regional institutions and initiatives, from the African Union’s Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy to cross-border adaptation programs, are crucial for managing shared ecosystems and river basins. 

COP30 provides a chance to scale up these efforts and strengthen collaboration through the UNFCCC, the Africa Climate Summit, and the G20. Aligning Africa’s regional strategies with global processes can attract new investment and ensure that adaptation and development advance together. Strong partnerships — anchored in African-led institutions like the AU and AfDB — will be key to turning continental ambition into collective action. 

Why This Matters 

Africa’s role in the global climate response is pivotal. Its demographic and resource strengths make it indispensable to achieving the Paris Agreement goals — without Africa’s progress, global success is impossible. 

Climate shocks are already eroding development gains, destroying infrastructure, and threatening millions of lives. Yet, this is also a story of leadership and opportunity. Mobilizing the US$1.3 trillion Africa needs annually by 2030 is not just about addressing risk — it’s about enabling resilient economies and long-term prosperity. 

Africa is not waiting to be rescued — it is ready to lead. From renewable energy to ecosystem restoration, the continent is showing that ambition and development can advance together. 

As reaffirmed at the Second Africa Climate Summit, Africa’s message to COP30 is clear: The continent is not just on the frontlines of the crisis — it is at the forefront of the solutions.