The African Development Bank (AfDB) has renewed calls for increased donor support to meet Africa’s growing climate finance needs.

The bank, in a statement, made the call during a side event at the Second Africa Climate Summit, Addis Ababa, where the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF) showcased its impact across the continent.

Anthony Nyong, AfDB’s director of Climate Change and Green Growth, said the fund had invested 40.64 million dollars in 33 projects over the past 11 years, reinforcing community-led resilience and mobilising climate finance.

He said that the success of the fund emphasised the urgency for stronger backing.

“Over eleven years, ACCF has reinforced community-led resilience and mobilised climate finance across Africa. But much more is needed, and donor support is critical,” he said.

He said project leaders at the event presented results ranging from policy gains to grassroots solutions.

”The African Technology Policy Studies Network reported training 72 champions across 12 countries, publishing 12 policy briefs, and inaugurating Africa’s first online NDC Implementation Index,” he said.

He said gender inclusion was also emphasised at the meeting.

Mr Nyong quoted Faith Gikunda of ICCASA-CEMIRIDE as emphasising the role of women with disabilities in building resilient communities, thus calling for disability inclusion across climate programmes.

He said, ” Youth-led initiatives were showcased, including Deborah Nzarubara’s ‘mother of bees’ enterprise in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which coordinates 23 cooperatives and 1,200 members using connected hives.”

Programme director of Farm Africa in Ethiopia, Tom Cadogan, said the farm’s one million dollars project had already reached 37,000 people, mostly women and youth.

Claude Landry, head of global affairs, Canada’s Pan-African Programme, reaffirmed the country’s partnership with the Fund and pledged continued support for inclusive climate finance.

The session concluded with an ACCF Clinic, led by coordinator Rita Effah, which provided guidance to stakeholders on accessing funding and replicating successful models.

(NAN)