Nairobi summit to consolidate Africa's unified position on Climate Investment

The Africa Climate Investment Summit (ACIS), set for October 28–30, 2025 in Nairobi, will bring together over 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, corporates, and development partners to strengthen Africa’s role in the global climate economy.

The summit, organised by the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC) and its partner hubs across Africa, aims to consolidate the continent’s unified position on climate investment ahead of the United Nations Climate Conference (COP30), which opens in November in Belém, Brazil.

“African entrepreneurs are solving pressing climate challenges, but too often they lack the support to scale. The Climate Investment Summit will change this by connecting them directly with investors and positioning Africa as a hub for climate-smart innovation,” said Joseph Marabula, CEO of KCIC.

Although Africa contributes just 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it suffers some of the harshest climate impacts. From droughts and erratic rainfall to biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and energy poverty, climate shocks cost the continent between $7 billion and $15 billion annually. Farmers continue to lose crops, families struggle for reliable power, and communities battle to secure safe drinking water.

Yet the continent also holds immense potential, with 60% of the world’s best solar resources, vast arable land, and ecosystems that can drive a climate-resilient future. Still, less than 2% of global climate finance currently reaches African innovators. ACIS seeks to reverse this imbalance by linking enterprises directly with financiers and scaling local solutions.

The summit will focus on four areas critical to Africa’s climate future: agribusiness, renewable energy, waste and water management, and nature-based solutions. Innovators will showcase drought-resistant crops, recycling enterprises converting waste into value, solar firms powering rural communities, and restoration projects protecting forests and coastlines

To channel resources, ACIS will launch the Africa Climate Investment Platform and Revolving Fund, designed to mobilize financing into climate-smart enterprises. In addition, the summit will unveil the African Climate Investment Manifesto, outlining a unified continental position to be presented at COP30.

Bankole Oloruntoba, CEO of the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, emphasized the human dimension of climate finance: “Every deal we close at ACIS is a family gaining clean energy, a farmer building resilience, and a community reducing its vulnerability to climate shocks. The Summit will catalyse not only investment but also partnerships that drive Africa’s green transformation.”

KCIC, which has spent more than a decade supporting climate entrepreneurs, will leverage its track record of managing funds from global partners such as DANIDA, the EU, the World Bank, and the IKEA Foundation to ensure the summit delivers measurable results.

ACIS is positioning itself as a continental movement to rally diverse stakeholders. For investors, it offers access to investment-ready enterprises and scalable climate solutions. Corporates and sponsors will gain visibility and collaboration opportunities to position themselves as climate leaders. Policymakers and development partners will use the platform to align strategies and coordinate climate finance flows.

Organizers are urging partners to mobilize networks, co-host sessions, and contribute to shaping the manifesto that will carry Africa’s collective voice to the global stage.

Ultimately, the Nairobi summit is designed as more than a dialogue platform. It is intended to be a marketplace for ideas, funding, and partnerships that can accelerate Africa’s transition to a climate-resilient, low-carbon economy.

As Marabula put it: “This is about creating opportunities, jobs, and a future where Africa leads in climate solutions.”