Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program Receives NDC Investment Award
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ew York, 24 September 2024 – The Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) has been honored as the “Best Investable NDC Adaptation Investment Initiative of the Year” at the 2024 African NDC Investment Awards. This award, presented during the African NDC Institutional Investment Summit in New York, recognizes the AAAP’s groundbreaking efforts to accelerate climate adaptation across the continent.
Launched by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in 2021 in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and African Union, the AAAP set an ambitious goal to mobilize $25 billion by 2025 to drive transformative climate adaptation actions across Africa. To date, the AfDB has committed $12.5 billion and AAAP successfully integrated climate adaptation measures into over $10 billion in investments made by multilateral development banks including AfDB, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
AAAP’s initiatives are creating tangible impact across Africa. To date, climate adaptation measures have been integrated into 38 African Development Bank operations and 30 technical assistance activities in 41 countries. The projects span critical sectors such as agriculture, water and sanitation, transport, energy access, and urban development—directly benefiting millions of people across the continent. The program exemplifies how innovative financing and partnerships can effectively address the climate challenges Africa faces.
A standout achievement of AAAP is its focus on youth entrepreneurship and job creation. With $5.5 million invested to support 41 young climate innovators in 20 African countries, AAAP is empowering Africa’s youth to lead in climate adaptation and resilience-building.
In the area of food security, AAAP has implemented 17 key investment and technical assistance projects across regions severely affected by climate change, including the Sahel, Horn of Africa, and Zambezi. These initiatives have improved food resilience for 9.4 million people. Additionally, AAAP has spearheaded resilient infrastructure projects, with 28 projects underway in 23 countries to ensure communities can better withstand climate shocks.
A critical component of AAAP’s success is its advancement of climate finance. The program’s Technical Assistance Program has helped 14 African entities gain accreditation with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), providing them with direct access to essential climate finance. These efforts have culminated in GCF proposals that have mobilized over $250 million, benefiting 4.6 million people across Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
The AAAP has also garnered recognition from the African Union for its achievements in advancing climate adaptation. Its successful model has attracted global interest, with discussions underway to replicate the program in Asia and extend its reach to small island developing states.
“This award highlights the power of partnership,” said Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation. “The Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program demonstrates that when we unite behind a common cause, we can drive large-scale, impactful climate adaptation at the speed and scale needed to meet the challenges of our time.”
Supported by close collaboration with over 16 African institutions, multilateral development banks, and bilateral agencies, the AAAP has worked with more than 65 heads of state, governments, and ministers to champion climate adaptation efforts at the highest levels. As it enters a new phase, the program aims to build on its successes and push for even more ambitious goals in the coming years.
Sponsored by the African Green Infrastructure Investment Bank and presented by Africa Investor Magazine, the award celebrates projects that mobilize private climate capital and enhance investment readiness in line with Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). To meet its adaptation and mitigation targets, Africa’s NDC implementation will require over $3 trillion in investments by 2030.
The AAAP’s recognition at the 2024 African NDC Investment Awards marks a significant milestone in the fight against climate change, reinforcing the program’s role as a global leader in adaptation and resilience-building for Africa and beyond.
Notes to Editors
About the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP)
The Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) is a joint initiative by the African Development Bank and the Global Center on Adaptation, aimed at mobilizing $25 billion over five years to scale up climate adaptation in Africa. Since its launch, the AAAP has integrated climate adaptation measures into over $10 billion in investments, helping to build climate resilience for millions across the continent.
About the Global Center on Adaptation
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that promotes adaptation to the impacts of climate change. It works to climate-proof development by instigating policy reforms and influencing investments made by international financial institutions and the private sector. The goal is to bring climate adaptation to the forefront of the global fight against climate change and ensure that it remains prominent.
Founded in 2018, GCA embodies innovation in its approach to climate adaptation as well as in its physical presence. It operates from the largest floating office in the world, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. GCA has a worldwide network of regional offices in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Beijing, China. The Center will open a new office in Nairobi, Kenya in 2025.
