Experts Demand Urgent Action, Private Investment To Tackle Climate Crisis

Climate change experts and business leaders on Tuesday called for urgent action and increased private-sector investment to close Africa’s climate implementation gap, warning that millions of vulnerable people would remain exposed to flooding, drought, food insecurity and energy poverty without concrete results.

The call was made at the fourth edition of the Africa Climate Forum 2026, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, where stakeholders challenged African governments to move beyond climate declarations and translate existing commitments into measurable outcomes capable of protecting lives, strengthening economies and accelerating sustainable development.

The Convener of the Forum, Prof. George Nwangwu, said Africa could no longer afford fragmented approaches to climate action, insisting that governments, private investors, development finance institutions, researchers and local communities must work together to turn climate policies into bankable projects and tangible benefits.

Speaking on the theme, “Implementing in Lockstep: Public-Private Action for Green Outcomes,” Nwangwu said the continent’s greatest challenge was no longer the absence of climate commitments but the failure to translate existing promises into practical interventions that address the needs of its people.

He noted that despite African countries’ participation in international climate negotiations, the development of national climate commitments and efforts to promote renewable energy, millions of people still lacked reliable electricity and clean cooking, while communities continued to battle extreme weather and environmental degradation.

Nwangwu argued that government spending and development assistance alone could not meet Africa’s enormous climate financing needs, calling for increased private investment, technological innovation and entrepreneurship. He, however, stressed that attracting capital would require credible regulations, sound policies, effective governance and financing mechanisms that reduce investment risks.

To bridge the gap, he identified policy dialogue, investment facilitation, innovation and storytelling as critical pillars of effective climate action. He said the Forum’s Deal Room was designed to connect project developers with investors, financial institutions and development partners to help viable climate projects overcome financing and regulatory obstacles.

In a goodwill message, the Founder and Executive Chair of Avocado Holdings, Dr. Oge Funlola Modie, said the success of Africa’s climate commitments must be measured by the results delivered rather than promises made, stressing that climate action should be treated as a development priority because of its implications for energy access, food security, resilient infrastructure and economic opportunities.

Modie also emphasised the importance of communication in driving climate action, warning that even well-designed policies could fail without public understanding, trust and participation. She called for governments, businesses, development partners and communities to establish shared priorities, clearly defined responsibilities and effective mechanisms for measuring progress.

“Communication is not merely how we report progress. It is one of the ways we make progress possible,” she said, arguing that strategic communication must be integrated into policy formulation and implementation to connect government decisions with affected communities and build public confidence in climate interventions.

Both speakers called for stronger partnerships to expand clean energy access, promote climate-smart agriculture, develop resilient infrastructure and create opportunities for African businesses and innovators. Nwangwu further urged greater support for home-grown solutions in renewable energy, clean cooking, agricultural technology, waste management and water systems, insisting that Africa must play a leading role in developing solutions to its climate challenges.

The two-day Forum, holding from October 13 to 14, is expected to explore practical strategies for strengthening public-private partnerships and accelerating climate action across the continent, with the overall objective of turning policy commitments into investments and measurable improvements in the lives and livelihoods of African people.