About Us

Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) aims to strengthen collaboration on adaptation across the continent through high-level pan-African and regional dialogues, adaptation action on the ground, and addressing the adaptation financing gap. It is designed as the initiative for Africa driven by Africa.

The devastating impacts of climate change - severe droughts, floods, reduced agricultural yields, food and water insecurity – have increased in Africa. Africa, particularly West-, Central- and East Africa, are highly vulnerable to the climatic hazards (IPCC 2022). By 2050, Africa’s adaptation costs could reach USD 100 billion annually (UNEP 2014). Climate change threatens the economic growth of African states and impedes progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

To address the increasing challenges, in 2015, the 25^th African Union Summit provided a mandate to the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) to develop a proposal for enhancing support to Africa on adaptation together with the African Group of Negotiators. As a result, in December 2015, African Heads of States launched the AAI at the COP21 in Paris.

The AAI and partners’ flagship programmes are:

Africa Programme on Climate Services for adaptation and resilience led by the African Development Bank;
Lake Chad River Basin Early Warning System led by the Lake Chad Basin Commission;
Advancing Risk Transfer in Africa led by the African Risk Capacity;
Knowledge Management Programme for Adaptation Planning in Africa led by United National Development Programme and Stockholm Environment Institute.

Two additional Flagship initiatives are in the pipeline.

Areas Of Focus

AAI works with partners in the private and public sectors to identify, refine and priorities activities based on how they align with the AAI ‘Pillars’ or focus areas:

Pillar 1: Enhancing climate information services

Goal: All African countries have climate information services adequate in quantity and quality to support decision making.

Pillar 2: Strengthening policies and institutions

Goal: Stronger continental, regional, and national institutional and policy frameworks to support decision making on adaptation and loss and damage in Africa.

Pillar 3: Enhancing on the ground action

Goal: Significantly increase the number of projects and programs being implemented to enhance adaptation and address loss and damage in Africa.

Pillar 4: Climate finance and investments

Goal: Increase access to funding and mobilise additional support to enable the implementation of adaptation actions and approaches to address loss and damage.

AAI Phases

PHASE 1(2015 — 2016)

AAI receives high-level political backing and is launched at COP 21 in Paris

PHASE 2(2017 — 2019)

AAI establishes its visibility and reputation as a responsive adaptation initiative for Africa

PHASE 3(2020 — 2030)

AAI achieves transformative adaptation results for African countries throughout the Decade of Climate Action

Read about past, present and planned activities under each Phase here.

AAI is contributing towards four outcomes by 2025:

USD 1 Billion is invested in African countries by 2025 to ensure adequate climate information services (including early-warning systems and observational infrastructure) to support robust policy and decision-making on adaptation;

All African countries have translated their National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and their NDC Adaptation into investment plans, and fundable pipeline of projects by 2025;

Doubling of adaptation finance accessed and mobilized by African countries by 2025 for their urgent priorities;

Implementation of at least one regional flagship programme in each of the 5 regions in Africa, addressing the critical sectors (and drivers) of the African economy: agriculture, water, disaster reduction, cities and local communities, coastal protection, health and biodiversity and ecosystems.

DELIVERY MODEL

The AAI is an African-led initiative which is strongly rooted in existing African institutions.

The delivery model is described below:

Political guidance: Political leadership to guide AAI is provided by the Conference of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) and the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN).

Steering Committee: AAI’s steering committee comprises the AMCEN Bureau and Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN).

Technical Support Unit: The day-to-day operations of the AAI is coordinated by the AAI’s Technical Support Unit (TSU).

info@africaadaptationinitiative.org