The Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) and SouthSouthNorth (SSN) have announced a new cohort of 30 awardees from Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America & the Caribbean, each receiving funding to implement projects helping communities adapt to climate change impacts. The ARA, launched at COP26, focuses on action-oriented, equitable, and user-driven research to deliver real solutions for those most affected by climate change. The awardees are working on projects such as community-centered early-warning systems, nature-based solutions, and knowledge-sharing to strengthen resilience, guided by the Adaptation Research for Impact Principles. This collaborative effort brings together various stakeholders to shape climate-resilient futures and ensure that research is driven by user needs, co-produced with local experts, and equitable in practice.
Tag: Africa
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Power Isn’t Enough: Why Electricity Alone Won’t Deliver Africa’s Energy Promise
Efficient appliances, such as refrigerators and water pumps, are essential for women in Africa to save time, effort, and money, allowing them to reinvest in their families and businesses. Access to these tools through initiatives like the Productive Use Financing Facility has led to a 94 percent increase in average incomes for women. Investing in smart appliances can deliver 20 percent of the energy savings needed to double global efficiency by 2030, advancing energy, climate, and economic goals simultaneously. Efficient appliances serve as a bridge between energy access and economic opportunity, playing a crucial role in Africa's energy transition and local economies. Grants, subsidies, and energy performance standards are key to promoting energy-efficient appliances in African markets, creating a $50 billion market and lowering the burden of climate change.
https://triplepundit.com/2026/electricity-access-affordable-appliances-equity-africa/
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Africa records fastest-ever solar growth in 2025
In 2025, installations of solar power in Africa increased by 54%, with around 4.5 GW of new solar PV capacity installed. Utility-scale projects accounted for 56% of installations, while distributed solar made up 44%. The report highlighted the under-reporting of rooftop, commercial, and distributed capacity due to limited data. The need for greater investment in battery storage, grids, and power system flexibility was emphasized to improve reliability of supply and support rising energy demand. The top 10 solar markets in Africa led the capacity additions, but solar deployment is spreading to a wider group of countries, with several mid-sized and emerging markets making significant gains. Despite the rapid growth of distributed solar in Africa, financing models have not kept pace, with most clean energy finance still coming from public and development sources geared towards large projects. Private investment in clean energy has increased, but funding for smaller solar systems used by homes and businesses remains limited. Leaders in the industry estimate that up to $46 billion will be needed by 2030 to meet electrification targets in African countries. The Global Solar Council warns that misalignment between funding and market needs could slow deployment of solar energy, but aligning finance, planning, and regulation with market realities could lead to significant growth in solar capacity and economic benefits.
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Energy Transition and Critical Minerals in Morocco – PACJA – Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance
The United Nations Task Force on Critical Energy Transition Minerals is addressing the projected increase in demand for these minerals by 2030 and 2040. The workshop in Morocco focused on fair policies for mineral extraction and renewable energy to mitigate negative impacts. The African Energy Chamber predicts a rise in renewables in Africa's power generation mix, with North Africa potentially exporting electricity and green hydrogen to Europe. Participants discussed guidelines for strengthening governance, financing, and regulation of value chains to promote low-carbon industrial development and emphasized the importance of Just Energy Transition and Responsible Governance. Key proposals included creating synergies between energy, mobility, and hydrogen storage through public-private partnerships and innovation to promote sustainable development.
https://pacja.org/energy-transition-and-critical-minerals-in-morocco/
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Climate and Economic Justice Campaign Implementation Framework 2025-2026 – PACJA – Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance
The Climate and Economic Justice Campaign in Africa is working to address global inequality, climate injustices, and economic exploitation by demanding climate reparations, debt justice, and economic transformation. With a focus on Global Equity, Climate and the Environment, and Economic Justice, the campaign calls for systemic changes in international financial systems, climate finance, debt cancellation, and fairer trade systems to support African development and sovereignty. Rooted in African communities' experiences and policy struggles, the campaign is poised to take advantage of key global opportunities in 2025 that align with its goals.
https://pacja.org/climate-and-economic-justice-campaign-implementation-framework-2025-2026/
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Scatec secures PPA for Africa’s largest solar-plus-storage project
Norwegian renewables developer Scatec ASA has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company for a 1.95 GW solar and 3.9 GWh battery energy storage project in Egypt. This project, Scatec's largest investment to date, will provide sustainable, around-the-clock power and grid stabilizing services, supporting Egypt's energy transition and economic development. The integrated solar-plus-storage system is expected to deliver 6 TWh of energy annually, making it the largest solar and battery energy storage installation in Africa. Scatec plans to act as the lead developer and is seeking additional equity partners for the project, which is anticipated to reach financial close in the second half of the year.
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10 Years of Regeneration and Beyond
Regeneration International celebrated a decade of collective action and growth in their partner network, reaching over 700 organizations. They held their 5th Annual People's Food Summit, reaching 10 million people worldwide to discuss reshaping food systems. The movement expanded initiatives in Africa and Latin America, promoting healthy soils and food sovereignty. The PELUM Network in Southern and Eastern Africa marked 30 years of transformative work in agroecology and indigenous knowledge. Regeneration International also announced a Certificate Course on Agroecological, Regenerative, and Organic Agriculture in partnership with South Seas University. The Regeneration International Standard offers two certification pathways for farmers to transition to regenerative practices, focusing on principles, guidance, and continuous improvement. It prohibits synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, GMOs, and other harmful inputs. By supporting farmers through practical transition pathways, the standard aims to drive a global shift towards agriculture that regenerates soils, ecosystems, and communities. This is crucial in a world facing climate crises and soil degradation, where soil health is becoming an urgent priority for sustainable food production and rural economies.
https://us.engagingnetworks.app/page/email/message/view?templateId=434990
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Africa mulls gap in climate adaptation finance for agriculture
African stakeholders are advocating for increased adaptation funding for smallholder farmers in the agricultural sector who are highly vulnerable to climate shocks. Despite international funding pledges, there is a significant gap of approximately $365 billion through 2035, with skepticism that other countries will fill the shortfall. Climate finance is concentrated in a few countries, leaving farmers with limited access to funds for climate-smart practices. Stakeholders are calling for public financing, better early-warning systems, loss-and-damage support, and the implementation of climate-smart agriculture to address the underfunding of agricultural adaptation in Africa. Efforts to redirect harmful subsidies, reform finance institutions, and create a fairer global tax system are suggested to fill the gap in finance flows to small-scale agriculture in Africa. Additionally, concerns about the lack of progress in implementing the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) at the climate conference and the need for quadrupling Africa's climate finance flows annually until 2030 to meet investment needs for emissions reduction pledges under the Paris Agreement are highlighted.
https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/africa-mulls-gap-in-climate-adaptation-finance-for-agriculture/
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COP30’s Gender Action Plan Needed to Address Climate-Induced Violence
The 2023/2024 El Niño-induced drought in Southern Africa exacerbated food and water insecurity, livelihood reductions, and gender-based violence, highlighting the urgent need for climate solutions. Women environmental human rights defenders in Africa face violence for addressing environmental crises. The Belém Gender Action Plan, adopted at COP30, aims to promote gender equality in climate action through capacity building, gender balance, coherence, implementation, and monitoring. This plan supports national gender and climate focal points, gender-responsive budgeting, and climate finance, emphasizing the integration of gender equality across all aspects of climate action. Adequate financing and meaningful collaboration are essential for the success of gender-responsive climate action, as emphasized by African feminist researcher Chido Nyaruwata and her Flames and Lilies Climate Initiative.
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Waya Electric Motorcycles’ Daily Use In Kenya’s Tsavo Conservation Area Takes E-Mobility To Where It Is Needed Most
Kenya's electric motorcycle sector has experienced significant growth, particularly in the context of the motorcycle taxi industry. Companies like Waya Electric have entered the market with a focus on heavy-duty, rural, and B2B applications, designing motorcycles to handle tough conditions like long distances, heat, and steep terrain. These electric motorcycles are being utilized in wildlife conservation areas like the Tsavo Conservation Area, demonstrating their versatility and effectiveness in various applications. The use of electric motorcycles in remote and challenging terrains is proving to be reliable and relevant, showing the potential for electric mobility in similar areas across Africa. Solar-powered charging solutions for electric motorcycles are highlighted as a key innovation to address the unique challenges faced in African markets.