Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program 2025 pushes to deliver $25bn climate package

Friday 12th December 2025

by inAfrika Newsroom

Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program 2025 targets are under renewed pressure as climate shocks intensify across the continent. The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) launched AAAP in 2021 to mobilise US$25 billion in adaptation finance by 2025, focusing on food security, resilient infrastructure, youth jobs and adaptation finance.

A recent GCA brochure shows the programme has already shaped billions of dollars in investments. It aims to influence at least US$10 billion in climate-smart agriculture for 38 million farmers and herders, and US$12 billion in resilient infrastructure for 100 million people.

In June, GCA and AUDA-NEPAD signed a memorandum of understanding to “double down” on delivering the US$25 billion ambition and lay the groundwork for a larger post-2025 phase. The partners pledged to strengthen access to adaptation finance, expand training and back the AU’s climate resilience centre.

Next steps – Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program 2025

With the 2025 deadline close, officials are racing to convert pipelines into signed, disbursing projects. Priority areas include irrigation and drought-resilient seeds, nature-based flood protection, climate-proofed roads and power systems, and youth-led adaptation enterprises.

African leaders also used a recent climate summit in Addis Ababa to call for a broader climate investment push, including a separate initiative to mobilise US$50 billion a year for new climate solutions. Together, these efforts aim to move the narrative from climate aid to climate investment, with Africa presenting itself as a partner, not just a victim.

Negotiators are expected to showcase AAAP progress and new deals at COP30, linking adaptation finance to debt relief and private capital mobilisation.

Why it matters

Floods, droughts and heatwaves are already cutting African GDP, damaging infrastructure and pushing families into poverty. Adaptation spending remains a fraction of what is needed.

If Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program 2025 delivers its full package, it will stand as the world’s largest dedicated adaptation effort. It could also prove that well-designed, Africa-led programmes can absorb large-scale finance quickly and fairly.

For investors and policymakers, AAAP is a test case. Success may unlock bigger, longer-term climate investment frameworks that protect communities while supporting food systems, jobs and regional trade.