When the second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) 2025 wrapped up in Addis Ababa this September, one thing was clear: Africa is no longer approaching the climate crisis as a passive player. The summit, hosted by the African Union and the Government of Ethiopia, was a declaration of African leadership, unity, and ambition on the world stage.
In this week’s episode of The GreenShift Podcast — “Addis Ababa: Africa’s Climate Moment” — we take you inside the summit halls, unpacking the speeches, announcements, and debates that made headlines.
$50 Billion a Year for Climate Solutions
One of the biggest outcomes from Addis was the launch of a continental initiative to mobilize $50 billion annually for African-led climate solutions. This fund, tied to the new African Climate Innovation Compact, aims to back homegrown projects across renewable energy, adaptation, and green industry.
At the same time, development banks and private lenders pledged $100 billion for clean energy infrastructure — a move designed to supercharge Africa’s renewable capacity, expand access to power, and support greena industrialization.
Leaders Speak: From Survival to Solutions
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed opened the summit with a sharp message: Africa is not begging for survival, it is offering solutions. Kenyan President William Ruto and other African leaders echoed that call, demanding reforms to the global finance system and fairer treatment in climate negotiations.
The Addis Ababa Declaration, endorsed by the African Union, emphasized climate justice, adaptation finance, and local job creation from the green economy.
Renewable Energy Boom
Alongside finance, Addis highlighted the green economy boom already underway. From Ethiopia’s hydropower push to solar and wind investments across the continent, Africa is positioning itself as both a renewable energy leader and a green manufacturing hub.
But challenges remain: financing gaps, project risks, and ensuring that mega-projects benefit local communities were all raised by civil society and experts during the summit.
From Addis to COP30
What happens next? The Addis Ababa Declaration will travel with African negotiators to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, where the continent will demand concrete global reforms on climate finance and adaptation.
For citizens, NGOs, and businesses, the message is clear: track these commitments, hold leaders accountable, and prepare to turn pledges into projects that change lives.
Listen to the Full Conversation
This article is just the starting point. In our special episode of The GreenShift Podcast, we go deeper — from expert analysis nd ask what Addis really means for Africa’s climate future.