This Adaptation Insights builds on GCA technical assistance to integrate green and grey adaptation measures into large-scale infrastructure investment programs under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program. It further draws on advanced research conducted by the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford, in partnership with GCA, on the application of spatial analytics and financial frameworks to scale nature-based solutions for transport infrastructure resilience globally (Scaling Investments for NbS: GCA portal). The observations presented reflect cumulative evidence and experience derived from collaboration with multilateral development banks and implementation partners engaged in mainstreaming climate adaptation within infrastructure planning and finance.

This guideline is prepared by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), in collaboration with the World Bank and the Kenya State Department of Housing and Urban Development to support the implementation of the Second Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP-II).

This technical brief examines the critical intersection of Africa’s growing solar PV investments and climate resilience. With nearly 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lacking electricity access and solar PV investments reaching $36.6 billion in 2023, the continent faces both enormous opportunity and significant climate-related risks to energy infrastructure.