Wednesday, 19th June 2024, marked a pivotal moment in the global effort to address climate change as the Climate Action Africa Forum 24 (CAAF24) convened in Lagos, Nigeria.
Organized by Climate Action Africa (CAA), the forum aims to galvanize action and underscore the urgent need for climate action across industries and communities in Africa.
Held at the prestigious Landmark Center, the event brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, academics, civil society representatives, and the media.
This year’s theme, “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.
Breakout sessions included panel discussions and workshops 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, and building resilient and livable African cities.
These sessions encouraged interactive participation and the exchange of ideas among participants from diverse backgrounds and sectors.
In addition to formal sessions, CAAF24 included networking opportunities and showcased outstanding innovations from over 800 registrations through the Deal Room, a platform that connected high-impact climate innovators in Africa with potential investors seeking to accelerate sustainable solutions.
Other highlights included 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, which seeks to grow a new generation of 5,000 green innovators across Africa by 2035.
Noteworthy at CAAF24 was the selection of Omoniyi Praise (1st position), Treasure Nwosu (2nd position), and Alabi Abimbola (3rd position) as winners of the Climate Champion Quest organized by STEAM Funfest.
As Africa faces increasingly severe climate impacts, CAAF24 is committed to unifying 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.
