CEO addresses business leaders during a side event of the Africa CEO Forum, exploring private sectors contributions to the climate resilience agenda.

Kigali, Rwanda, 14 of May 2026 – The Global Center on Adaptation collaborated with the World Economic Forum to convene deputies at a high-level roundtable in Kigali, on the margins of the Africa CEO Forum.
 
The meeting aimed to align views on a draft framework for the “Year of Action” foreseen by the Leadership Group, including the development of a flagship report as an action-oriented blueprint for a shared narrative for climate adaptation in the private sector. The Group seeks to shape coordinated, market-driven responses that align ambition with emerging opportunities and global momentum.
 
GCA CEO Rindra Hasimbelo Rabarinirinarison delivered opening remarks, stressing that Africa’s adaptation finance needs remain far above current flows, with the continent requiring an estimated USD 70 billion annually for adaptation. She noted that the current model, still heavily reliant on public finance, cannot deliver the scale required to protect economies, food systems and infrastructure. Positioning adaptation as both an urgent necessity and a growth opportunity, she highlighted the role of private capital in building resilient agriculture, climate-smart infrastructure, water security, insurance, early warning systems and digital solutions. She also underlined the importance of the Africa Business Leadership Group as a platform to mobilize African CEOs, financiers and innovators around a stronger private-sector agenda for adaptation.
 
Turning their focus on accelerating action, the participants explored issues and ideas relating to unlocking private capital; scaling up innovation; and strengthening food systems in ways that are practical and regionally relevant. The discussion outcomes will inform further development of the proposed flagship report, with aims to publish results at the 2027 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.