Doubling down on adaptation in Africa is not just an option—it’s an absolute necessity if the continent is to unlock its full potential in the face of climate change. Yet despite the critical role that climate finance plays in underpinning broader development goals, African nations continue to face an annual adaptation funding gap of US $41 billion, according to research undertaken by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA).

In response, the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP)—co-designed by the African Development Bank and GCA and endorsed by the African Union—aims to climate-proof US $25 billion worth of investments by 2025, fast-tracking resilience measures across the continent. Since its launch in January 2021, GCA’s technical support under the AAAP Upstream Financing Facility has already helped shape more than US $18 billion in investments backed by international financial institutions, protecting over 112 million of Africa’s most climate-vulnerable people in 40 countries. Working with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) through its Resilience and Sustainability Facility, GCA is guiding policy and sector reforms that embed adaptation within national strategies, while the Africa Adaptation Business Platform—launched in partnership with the World Economic Forum—is forging alliances between private corporations and African financial institutions to unlock new streams of adaptation finance.

When Africa adapts, the world benefits.