Africa’s top climate change challenges: a fairer deal on phasing out fossil fuels and mobilising funds

📅 Published: August 17, 2025

📰 Source: theconversation

Curated by AllZimNews.com

Speeding up the move to renewable energy is a key topic on the agenda of the Second Africa Climate Summit in Ethiopia in September.

Regional development and climate change specialist Abay Yimere sets out what’s likely to be discussed.

Why does Africa need its own summit on climate change?

African countries have made binding commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

To do this, they will need to shift to renewable energy and stop mining and using fossil fuels like oil and coal.

However, many African countries continue to rely on coal, oil and gas, with solar energy accounting for just 3% of electricity generation.

Renewable energy currently supplies just 24. 1% of Africa’s electricity, 76% of which comes from hydropower, a source increasingly affected by climate change.

Collectively, African countries need between US$1. 6 trillion and US$1. 9 trillion by 2030 to move away from fossil fuels.

Read more: African countries shouldn’t have to borrow money to fix climate damage they never caused — economist But Africa’s current climate finance needs are between $1. 6 and $1. 9 trillion.

Much of the available climate finance is provided as loans rather than grants, leaving the continent in debt.

About 751 million Africans are negatively affected by their governments spending money on repaying high interest external debt instead of investing in climate resilience and sustainable development.

Global energy initiatives also don’t cater adequately for Africa.