UNU REACH-AFRICA at Future Africa UP co-authors policy brief on climate finance in sub-Saharan Africa
Africa produces less than 4% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, yet it remains one of the regions most severely affected by climate change. Temperatures across the continent are rising at about twice the global average, while available climate finance covers only 23% of what African countries need.
A new policy brief co-authored by the United Nations University Hub on Resilient Environment, Agriculture, Climate and Health for Africa (UNU REACH-AFRICA), hosted at Future Africa at the University of Pretoria, argues that closing this gap will require more than increased funding. It calls for a fundamental shift in how climate finance is designed and delivered.
The policy brief, titled The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus: Technologies and Finance to Address Climate Vulnerability in Sub-Saharan Africa, was launched on 26 April 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The launch formed part of the third edition of the dialogue between the Regional Collaborative Platform Africa, the Opportunity and Issue-Based Coalition 4 (OIBC4) and United Nations Resident Coordinators, held ahead of the 12th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-12). The discussions focused on advancing practical and financeable climate-water-energy-food nexus solutions to support Africa’s sustainable development priorities.
At the centre of the policy brief is the recognition that water, energy, food and ecosystems are interconnected challenges. Yet, these systems are often financed separately. This limits the potential to address several climate-related challenges through coordinated investment.
Africa requires about USD 2.8 trillion to meet its climate commitments by 2030. However, 85% of this depends on international support that remains unconfirmed. The brief argues that financing water, energy, food and ecosystems together could significantly improve the impact of climate investments.
It calls on governments and financial institutions to plan and invest across these sectors in an integrated way. It also recommends financing tools designed for nexus-based investments, as well as stronger mobilisation of African pension funds, banks and insurance assets for climate-aligned solutions.
The brief further emphasises that climate finance must prioritise those most affected by climate change, including women, young people and smallholder farmers. These groups face some of the greatest climate pressures yet often receive the least financial support.
Developed jointly by the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development, UNU-INWEH and the UNEP Climate Technology Centre and Network, the brief supports global and continental commitments set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Paris Agreement.
Read the full policy brief HERE.
