In an effort to assess the progress in adaptation and resilience initiatives since the 2023 Africa Climate Summit (ACS) and as a build-up to the ACS at One (ACS@One) in February 2025, climate action stakeholders have converged in Nairobi for the first series of the thematic pre-convening events. The two-day forum, which kicked off on 4^th November 2024, focuses on climate adaptation and resilience; and youth and children inclusion.

The event is hosted courtesy of a collaboration between Jacob's Ladder Africa (JLA) alongside key partners such as Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the German Corporation for International Cooperation, Kenya (GIZ KE), Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) and various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry. The event brings together leaders, experts and organisations dedicated to building a sustainable and resilient Africa for the future.

In her opening speech, Sellah Bogonko, Co-Founder and CEO of JLA stated that the ground-breaking Africa Climate Summit (ACS) represented a new chapter in Africa’s journey of owning and steering the conversation on the unique climate change solutions that Africa can offer to the world. It was also an opportunity to set in motion partnerships and solutions that would greatly impact the lives of African youth. “If implemented, the outcomes of ACS will significantly change the trajectory of Africa. For this reason, Jacob’s Ladder Africa, in conjunction with partners in the private sector, civil society organisations and the Government of Kenya, have led the charge to take stock of the progress made since ACS, in February 2025, along with key thematic convenings taking place prior,” she further reiterated.

Dr. Jackson Koimbori, Head of KEPSA Consult, Circular Economy and Climate Change, remarked that in recent years, remarkable progress had been seen in Kenya, with various stakeholders embracing adaptation strategies. He mentioned that initiatives ranging from climate-smart agriculture to sustainable urban planning had started to bear fruit, noting that the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices had increased yields by up to 50% in some regions. However, he emphasized that barriers remained, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, which often lacked the resources needed for effective adaptation strategies.

On 4^th November 2024, the Climate Adaptation and Resilience convening addressed urgent needs such as sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient urban infrastructure, and drought preparedness. These topics reflect the challenges identified by African leaders, where rapid urbanisation and climate instability exacerbate vulnerabilities.

Dr. John Wandaka, the Vice Chair of the KEPSA Environment, Water and Natural Resources Sector Board, while giving expert contributions during a session on Mainstreaming Adaptation in Development Policy-making, Financing and Planning, noted that by embedding adaptation strategies into policies, financing and planning, resilience can be strengthened across various sectors. This, he said would protect communities and investments from climate risks.

In a session on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security for Resilience, Dr. Koimbori highlighted the criticality of the commitments made in the Nairobi Declaration regarding adaptation and resilience in agriculture. He noted that climate change poses significant challenges to food security and agricultural productivity, with an estimated 1.5 million Kenyans projected to face severe food insecurity due to erratic weather patterns and diminishing agricultural yields.

The Youth and Children Inclusion in Climate Action convening today has gathered youth leaders and children from across the country. The event offers a platform for the younger generation to hold leaders accountable and push for their active involvement in climate policy and action, a commitment emphasised in the Nairobi Declaration.

“The youth have demonstrated the capability to drive significant change, as seen in initiatives that have contributed to increasing tree cover in Kenya by over 20% over the past decade. As we look forward, let us reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity in climate action. Youth and Children should not only participate but also lead in the fight against climate change.” Said Dr. Koimbori to the youth and convening.

As Africa prepares for ACS@ONE in February 2025, these events are a call to action for stakeholders across sectors to sustain the momentum generated at the ACS 2025. ACS@ONE will be a landmark moment to reflect on Africa’s strides in climate action and to inspire continuous, tangible progress.