African nations convene in Dakar to strengthen climate adaptation finance access

The Adaptation Project Incubator for Africa (APIA) programme has commenced a pivotal regional workshop in Dakar, focused on enhancing Africa's access to climate adaptation finance. The workshop addresses the critical underfunding of climate adaptation across the continent despite urgent resilience-building needs.

Hosted by the Centre de Suivi Écologique (CSE), the four-day intensive workshop brings together technical staff from accredited African National and Regional Implementing Entities. The programme aims to build capacity for developing investment-ready adaptation projects, particularly through the Adaptation Fund's reformed financing mechanisms, which include increased country allocations and new windows for Locally-Led Adaptation and innovation projects.

Current statistics reveal a significant gap in direct access funding, with only 35% of Adaptation Fund financing to Africa flowing through African implementing entities as of June 2025, while 65% still channels through multilateral entities. The workshop focuses on key areas including the Adaptation Fund's revised programming framework, complete project cycle management, climate rationale development, and alignment with environmental, social, and gender safeguards.

A distinctive feature of the workshop is its personalized approach, featuring dedicated Business-to-Business sessions providing tailored support for project development and re-accreditation processes.

The collaborative learning experience emphasizes practical application through real project cases and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, representing a concrete step toward enhancing Africa's capacity to access and manage adaptation finance effectively.

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye