More than 250 African city leaders, including mayors, city officials, national policymakers, investors, and business leaders, convened in Nairobi for the Green & Resilient UrbanShift Africa Forum. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and hosted by C40 Cities, with support from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Resources Institute (WRI), and ICLEI, the forum marked a crucial step toward strengthening climate resilience and sustainable urban development across the continent.
With Africa’s cities expanding at an unprecedented rate—92% already classified as being at extreme climate risk—the forum facilitated discussions on urban planning, sustainable investment, and climate action. Delegates from across the continent, including Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania, exchanged best practices and forged new partnerships. Youth climate leaders played a significant role in the discussions, ensuring their perspectives and innovative ideas remained central to the conversation on Africa’s sustainable future.
During the opening ceremony at UNEP headquarters, mayors of some of Africa’s largest cities issued a joint open letter urging national governments to prioritize green economy investments, create sustainable job opportunities, strengthen municipal finance, and remove barriers to public-private partnerships. The letter aims to unlock essential funding for green infrastructure and accelerate climate action at the local level.
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown and Co-chair of C40 Cities, highlighted the critical role of young people in driving sustainability: “With approximately 70% of Africa’s population under the age of 35, youth are already investing in their futures through technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Now is the time for the international finance community to match their energy with real investment.”
Read more: Sustainable cities and the implementation of green infrastructure and urban planning
Sakaja Johnson, Governor of Nairobi, emphasized the economic opportunity presented by green investment: “Investing in climate solutions in Africa delivers a projected return of $4 for every $1 invested. The Green & Resilient UrbanShift Africa Forum has made it clear: our cities are ready for transformation, and we invite global investors to be part of this change.”
A major highlight of the forum was the launch of the Roadmap on Sustainable Finance Action and Advocacy for Global South Cities, a new resource developed by C40, UrbanShift, and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM). The roadmap provides practical guidance for city leaders on securing affordable financing for sustainable projects such as clean energy and public transportation. It also calls for greater financial independence for cities, the creation of national platforms for climate coordination, and innovative financing models to attract large-scale investment.
Andy Deacon, Co-Managing Director of GCoM, underscored the urgency of financial reform: “While cities in the Global South have bold climate ambitions, they struggle to turn ideas into bankable projects. This roadmap is a vital tool for overcoming financing challenges and mobilizing the investments needed for resilient urban development.”
Throughout the forum, experts highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of investing in green infrastructure. Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, Chief Economist at the African Development Bank Group, made a compelling case for unlocking climate finance: “Cities are the engines of Africa’s economic growth. Every dollar invested in resilient infrastructure leads to lower climate-related costs, stronger private sector confidence, and a more dynamic local economy.”
With research showing that African cities have already secured over $21 billion in climate resilience funding between 2012 and 2023—yet with over 80% of projects relying on grants—the need for sustainable financing solutions remains urgent. Pablo Lazo, Global Director of Urban Development at WRI, called for greater engagement from the global climate finance sector to provide flexible funding mechanisms.
As the Green & Resilient UrbanShift Africa Forum concluded, one message was clear: Africa’s cities are ready to lead on climate action, but they need the financial resources to match their ambition. The commitments made during the forum mark a significant step toward securing a greener, more resilient future for urban Africa.
