The Africa Climate Summit kicked off today at the KICC, Nairobi with the opening ceremony led by H.E President William Ruto. KEPSA was led by the CEO Ms Carole Kariuki who participated in several sessions together with other KEPSA leaders. The summit brings together Heads of State and top government representatives, global leaders including António Guterres - Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), John Kerry - the United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and other dignitaries from the African private sector, civil society and other stakeholders.

The inaugural Africa Climate Summit, which is championed by HE President Ruto who is the Chairperson of the Committee of African Heads Of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), aims to address the increasing exposure to climate change and its associated costs, both globally and particularly in Africa. The summit will deliberate on various issues with an eye on urgent actions required to mitigate these challenges of escalating climate crises.

The opening session aimed at building momentum around the summit, anchoring the discussion on the notion of Climate Positive Growth, highlighting an overall opportunity-based framing, the specifics of different pathways for economic growth through climate action, and the unique role of global South countries. “Our overarching goal for this Summit is to chart a Green Growth pathway for the African Continent, setting the stage for Africa to lead the globe towards a more ecologically responsible global industrialisation, catalysed by financing that is accessible, adequate, and affordable,” said Hon. Soipan Tuya - Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry.

In his opening remarks, President Ruto welcomed the delegates while acknowledging the positive response to what he termed as Africa’s call to gather in order to imagine, design and build a future of prosperity for Africa and the world. “You have not just stepped into a conference hall, you have entered the future—a future ripe with potential, driven by global partnerships, committed to African prosperity, inclusive growth, and a liveable planet for all.” He said.

The Kenyan Head of State went on to say that delivering prosperity and wellbeing for Africa’s growing population without pushing the world deeper into climate disaster was not an abstract proposition or merely wishful thinking. He added that this was a real possibility proven by science and affirmed by emerging experience while noting that an opportunity-oriented focus on climate action is the engine for propelling Africa into a realm of stability and prosperity.

The African Union was represented by H.E. Amb Josefa Sacko - Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, who noted “The fundamental driver of success for Africa’s green transition will be the availability of resources for investment. This must be accompanied by strengthening the capacity of African countries to mobilize their own resources, and built on the foundations of solid and inclusive economic growth.”

Speaking at a panel session on Africa’s Green Hydrogen, Manufacturing & Trade Potential, KEPSA CEO Ms Carole Kariuki noted the advocacy role played by KEPSA to ensure all private sector players in the green hydrogen sector participate in the policy formulation process. She said that KEPSA had formed a sub-sector under the Energy and Petroleum Sector Board that will be handling green hydrogen and related issues.

Ms Kariuki was joined by Ms Margaret Mutschler - Vice President, CWP Global; Mr Nicolas Lecomte - Director Southern Africa, HDF Energy; and Mr Bruh Ayele Terfie - Special Advisor - Africa, Fortescue from the private sector side. The public sector was represented by Hon. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa – Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity,   Republic of South Africa; Hon. Abdessalam Ould Mohammed – Minister for Economy & Sustainable Development, Mauritania and Alex Wachira - Principal Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Kenya. The session focused on Africa's untapped potential for green industrial production in the area of green hydrogen.

KEPSA also organized two other side events on the first day of the Africa Climate Summit. In partnership with InTrade Africa and the Africa Union Commission, KEPSA held a discussion on Leveraging the African continental free trade area to promote green investments and sustainable trade in Africa. The second side event of the day titled ‘Rubber Meets the Road: Implementation of EPR for a Green Economy in Kenya’ was held in partnership with The Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Forestry, P4G, Royal Danish Embassy, UNEP, WWF and KAM.