A Tale of Two Summits: Did Addis Ababa Successfully Grab the Baton from Nairobi?

Africa’s climate future is taking center stage through two pivotal continental gatherings , the African Climate Summit 1 (ACS1) held in Nairobi, Kenya, in September 2023, and the African Climate Summit 2 (ACS2) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in September 2025. These landmark summits not only underscore Africa’s unique and urgent climate challenges but also consolidate the continent’s unified vision, commitments, and calls for global support on climate action.

This article compares the two summits, their declarations, goals, and impacts, providing insight into Africa’s evolving climate leadership and strategic priorities.

Overview of the Summits

ACS1  Nairobi Declaration (2023)

The inaugural African Climate Summit convened African Heads of State, regional blocs, UN agencies, civil society, youth, and global leaders in Nairobi from 4th to 6th September 2023. Kenya’s presidency of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) under President William Ruto gave momentum to the agenda.

The Nairobi Declaration highlighted Africa’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate change, despite historically minimal contributions to global emissions. It recalled African Union decisions calling for climate action and affirmed the continent’s potential for green development. Key themes included equity, loss and damage finance, renewable energy expansion, and biodiversity protection.

ACS2 – Addis Ababa Declaration (2025)

Two years later, ACS2 took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, convened by African Union Member States and led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The summit reinforced commitment to the Nairobi Declaration’s call for urgent climate justice and accelerated implementation of climate solutions.

The Addis Ababa Declaration focused on scaling finance, technology transfer, climate resilience, and integrating justice and inclusion as foundational to Africa’s climate response. It also aimed to deepen regional coordination, innovative financing mechanisms, and green economic transformation.

Comparative Themes

1. Climate Justice and Equity

Nairobi 2023: The Nairobi Declaration openly acknowledged Africa’s marginal contribution to the climate crisis yet being the hardest hit by its impacts. It emphasized the principles of equity and differentiated responsibilities under UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, demanding global adherence to climate finance promises and honoring loss and damage commitments.

Addis Ababa 2025: The Addis Ababa Declaration reaffirmed the call for justice and equity but went further to stress the urgent operationalization of global climate finance, particularly grants over loans to avoid increasing Africa’s debt burden. It highlighted reforming global financial architecture to better serve Africa’s needs and mitigate climate vulnerability.

2. Climate Finance

Nairobi 2023: Africa’s need for enhanced climate finance was central to Nairobi, emphasizing the $100 billion annual climate finance pledge must be fully delivered. It underscored the gap between commitments and actual flows, advocating more accessible and equitable funding for adaptation and mitigation.

Addis Ababa 2025: Addis Ababa detailed specific financial demands: scaling up to $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, tripling adaptation finance by 2030, and providing targeted support for loss and damage. The declaration called for debt restructuring, innovative finance instruments, and governance reforms to unlock private capital and enable a just transition. 

3. Renewable Energy and Green Industrialization

Nairobi 2023: The first summit recognized Africa’s vast renewable energy potential but criticized past underinvestment. It issued a clear call to unlock policy and investment environments for green energy, just transitions, and job creation, positioning Africa as a future clean energy hub.

Addis Ababa 2025: Building on Nairobi’s vision, Addis Ababa set ambitious targets like increasing renewable capacity from 56 GW in 2022 to 300 GW by 2030. The declaration linked green industrialization to inclusive economic growth and advocated regional trade mechanisms aligned with sustainability goals.

4. Nature-Based Solutions and Biodiversity

Nairobi 2023: Recognizing Africa’s rich natural capital such as Congo Basin forests and savannahs, Nairobi committed to halt biodiversity loss, deforestation, and desertification. It reinforced ecosystem restoration as a climate mitigation and adaptation strategy.

Addis Ababa 2025: The follow-up expanded on nature-based solutions (NbS), calling for a continental knowledge platform, increased investment in restoration (Great Green Wall, AFR100), and community empowerment emphasizing gender and youth inclusion. It also stressed ocean governance and blue economy development.

5. Adaptation, Resilience, and Food Security

Nairobi 2023: The summit acknowledged that climate impacts such as droughts and floods critically threaten African economies and livelihoods. It urged integration of adaptation into development plans, emphasizing water security and urban resilience.

Addis Ababa 2025: Addis Ababa detailed concrete adaptation priorities including strengthening health systems, food security, smallholder support, and disaster risk reduction. It stressed indigenous knowledge and technology transfer as key to resilience. Early warning systems and climate-informed policies were highlighted for implementation.

6. Climate-Induced Mobility, Peace, and Security

Nairobi 2023: The issue of climate-related displacement and conflicts was mentioned as part of the broader humanitarian implications.

Addis Ababa 2025: The declaration elevated this theme, recognizing climate change as a threat multiplier for peace and security. It called for coordinated policies addressing displacement, cross-border cooperation, and integrating climate mobility into development frameworks.

7. Technology and Innovation

Nairobi 2023: The inaugural summit referenced the importance of deploying technology to achieve mitigation and adaptation.

Addis Ababa 2025: Addis Ababa took a more detailed approach, focusing on inclusivity in technological ecosystems and promoting African-led climate innovation hubs. It emphasized support for locally adapted low-cost climate technologies and scientific capacity building.

Key Outcomes and Next Steps

Both summits expressed strong commitments to multilateralism, urging developed countries to honor their legal obligations and increase support. They highlighted the need for African unity in international negotiations to strengthen the continent’s negotiating power ahead of key forums like COP30.

The Nairobi Declaration inaugurated an era of consolidated African climate leadership, while the Addis Ababa Declaration aims to accelerate actual implementation, finance mobilization, policy reform, and inclusive growth that aligns with Africa’s sustainable development.

The African Climate Summits in Nairobi and Addis Ababa mark critical milestones in Africa’s quest to confront climate change on its own terms. Nairobi laid the groundwork with a bold vision and a clarion call for climate justice. Addis Ababa builds on this foundation with specific strategies, ambitious targets, and a firm demand for climate finance reform and global solidarity.

Together, they reflect a continent rising to the challenge, leveraging its energy, ecosystems, and youthful population to pioneer paths toward climate-resilient and green development. The declarations underscore that Africa is not just a victim but a vital global player ready to partner for a sustainable future.

As the world looks ahead to COP30 and beyond, Africa’s unified voice and clear roadmap offer hope and demand action for its people, ecosystems, and the planet.