FELICIA ITEJI
It was a crucial moment in the global effort to address climate change as the Climate Action Africa Forum 24 (CAAF24) hosted several relevant stakeholders to address the lingering issue of climate change in Lagos, Nigeria.
Organized by Climate Action Africa (CAA), leading environmental advocates and stakeholders, CAAF24 aims to galvanize action and underscore the urgent need for climate action across industries and communities across Africa.
The event, held at the prestigious Landmark Center, brought together a diverse array of stakeholders including government officials, business leaders, academics, civil society representatives and the media. The theme of this year’s forum, "Green Economies, Brighter Futures," highlights the imperative for immediate and collective action in mitigating the effects of climate change in Africa and achieving global sustainability goals.
"CAAF24 serves as a critical platform for dialogue and collaboration," said Grace Oluchi Mbah, Co-Founder and Executive Director of CAA. “With the event, we aim to increase education and awareness on climate change, showcase innovations and projects driving Africa to a sustainable future, and more actively contribute to the expansion of Africa’s green economy.”
The program featured addresses from Her Excellency, Madame Ramatoulaye Diallo Ndiaye, Former Minister of Culture Mali and Founder and CEO of the Great Green Wall of Africa (GGWoA) Foundation who was the special keynote speaker.
There were breakout sessions for panel discussions and workshops that focused on key issues such as the potential of forests and carbon credits, climate financing, Nigeria's carbon market activation, mobilizing private capital for climate-positive investments in Africa, building resilient and livable African Cities and more. Sessions were designed to encourage interactive participation and exchange of ideas among participants from diverse backgrounds and sectors.
In addition to formal sessions, CAAF24 included networking opportunities and showcased the selection of outstanding innovations from over 800 registerations through the Deal Room, a platform that connected high-impact climate innovators in Africa with potential investors seeking to accelerate sustainable solutions.
Other highlights at CAAF24 were the audacious launch of the Billion Trees for Africa Initiative as part of CAA’s community programs and the unveiling of the Pan-African Green Economy Program (PAGE), a partnership with IDEA AFRICA and the Founder Institute that seeks to grow a new generation of 5,000 green innovators across Africa by 2035. The selection of Omoniyi Praise (1st position), Treasure Nwosu (2nd position) and Alabi Abimbola (3rd position) as winners for the Climate Champion Quest organised by STEAM Funfest also stood out at CAAF24.
As Africa faces increasingly severe climate impacts, CAAF24 is a platform that is committed to unifying the participation of diverse stakeholders in advancing and achieving climate action in Africa. By reinforcing the urgency of climate change through meaningful dialogue and collaboration, CAAF24 inspires concrete steps towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
Climate Action Africa is a leading Africa-focused social enterprise at the forefront of the continent's climate action ecosystem. CAA actively promotes collaborations, fosters an enabling ecosystem, and champions eco-friendly, sustainable practices, alongside supporting research and localized innovations across the continent.
The Forum is an annual gathering organized by Climate Action Africa, bringing together global climate action leaders, visionaries, and change-makers. Its primary goal is to shape a climate-smart future for Africa through co-design, co-creation, innovation, and investment.
With Africa facing pressing climate challenges from the Nile to the Niger, this forum serves as a platform for collaborative discussions and solutions to create a brighter future for the continent’s 1.3 billion people.
