The stage is set for the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), which officially begins tomorrow, September 8, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with over 25,000 delegates, including African heads of state, ministers, youth leaders, civil society, and global partners expected to participate.
Briefing the press on Sunday, Ethiopia’s Minister of Planning and Development and National Coordinator of the Summit, Dr. Fitsum Assefa, said the gathering would push Africa’s united climate agenda under the theme:
“Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development.”
She noted that Africa contributes less than four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet suffers the most severe climate impacts.
“Yes, Africa is a victim of climate change, but it is also providing climate solutions. What we need is global solidarity, fair finance, and genuine partnerships to ensure that Africa’s resilience becomes the world’s resilience,” she declared.
The three-day summit will focus on two priorities:
- Showcasing Africa-led solutions in renewable energy, green growth, adaptation, and nature-based resilience.
- Unlocking climate finance with a call for fair, predictable, and scaled-up resources for Africa.
Key outcomes include the Adopted Addis Ababa Declaration, a push for global finance reform, stronger investment commitments, and new partnerships linking innovators with investors.
Nigeria and Regional Interest
For Nigeria and other African countries, the summit presents an opportunity to demand concessional climate funding, highlight domestic renewable energy projects, and advocate for adaptation support in vulnerable communities.
Analysts say the discussions in Addis will shape Africa’s bargaining power ahead of COP30 in Brazil, where climate finance and loss-and-damage will dominate negotiations.
Build-Up to the Summit
The event follows a week of technical sessions at UNFCCC Climate Week 2025, also hosted in Addis Ababa from September 1 to 6.
According to Dr. Assefa, Climate Week provided the technical dialogue, while ACS2 is “the space for political will, financial commitment, and continental leadership for a global impact.”
In preparation, youth, civil society, and negotiators also met at the African Youth Climate Assembly 2025, the Non-State Actors Assembly, and the Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-13).
The Summit will feature 49 official events, 199 side events, 23 pavilions, and over 43 exhibitors, including electric vehicle manufacturers, solar innovators, and green entrepreneurs.
Dr. Assefa urged African and international media to spotlight African-led solutions throughout the summit:
“Share the stories, spotlight the solutions, and help ensure that Africa’s message reaches the global stage.”
The Second Africa Climate Summit runs from 8–10 September 2025, with outcomes expected to redefine Africa’s path toward climate resilience and sustainable development.
By Dare Akogun, Addis Ababa
