Africa climate finance push intensifies at COP30 as leaders demand fair deal.

Thursday, 13th November 2025.

by inAfrika Newsroom

Africa climate finance took the spotlight at COP30 in Belem this week, officials said.African leaders pressed for bigger, fairer flows of money to back climate action across the continent.They argued that adaptation, energy transition and loss-and-damage needs are rising faster than existing funding commitments.Moreover, they warned that loan-heavy finance risks deepening debt in countries already struggling with climate shocks.

Africa marked its official Africa Day at COP30 on 11 November.The theme focused on sustainable financing for resilient and inclusive green growth across African economies. Organisers from the African Union Commission and the UN Economic Commission for Africa said the event aimed to present a united finance message.Therefore, they called for predictable, long-term funding that helps countries invest in resilience, jobs and structural transformation.

In plenary sessions, African negotiators tied Africa climate finance demands to talks on a new global goal for post-2025 climate funding. They said the figure must reflect combined needs for mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage, not just headline pledges.Moreover, they insisted that the goal should consider Africa’s growth needs and large youth population.

Climate-vulnerable states pointed to repeated floods, droughts and heatwaves that strain budgets and displace communities.They told delegates that without scaled-up Africa climate finance, governments will struggle to rebuild infrastructure and protect food systems.At the same time, they asked for simpler access rules so local institutions can move funds quickly into priority projects.

The talks in Belem opened with strong emphasis on finance.One roadmap, described as the “Baku to Belem” track, targets around 1.3 trillion dollars a year for developing countries by 2035.
African ministers welcomed that focus but said the design of any package will matter as much as its size.
Therefore, they pushed for a higher share of grants and highly concessional loans rather than market-rate instruments. They also backed tools such as guarantees and debt-for-climate swaps to stretch limited public budgets.

Meanwhile, the African Development Bank and other regional lenders highlighted their growing climate portfolios. Bank representatives said they are financing renewable energy, resilient transport, urban projects and climate-smart agriculture across several subregions. In addition, ministers urged bilateral partners to channel more resources through African-led initiatives that align climate goals with industrialisation.

Experts at side events stressed that climate investment also needs stronger data and planning capacity.They said robust pipelines of bankable projects will help countries absorb larger Africa climate finance flows.Moreover, they noted that better measurements of climate risk could support lower capital costs over time.

Overall, diplomats said the Africa climate finance push at COP30 is shaping negotiations on the new global finance goal.However, they cautioned that final numbers will depend on how far major economies are willing to go.Negotiators from African states said they want an outcome that moves beyond past shortfalls and delivers timely resources for communities already living with climate impacts.