A new, dynamic ecosystem for climate action is rapidly maturing across Africa, characterized by a sophisticated shift from ambition to tangible results. Two landmark initiatives stand at the forefront of this evolution: the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) NDC Implementation Index (https://atps-ndcindex.africa/), a living document, which provides a crucial scorecard for progress annually, and the recently launched Africa Green Economy and Sustainability Institute (AGESI) (https://agesi.africa), an engine designed to drive on-the-ground implementation. Together, they represent a powerful, African-led approach to tackling the climate crisis.
Part I: The Scorecard – Measuring What Matters with the ATPS NDC Index
The launch of the ATPS NDC Index, a collaborative effort with the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) and the West African Green Economic Development Institute (WAGEDI), provides a clear, data-driven snapshot of how nations are translating their climate commitments into action. By evaluating countries across five core pillars – Governance, Mitigation, Adaptation, MRV/Transparency, and Finance/Technology – the index creates a transparent framework for accountability.
The 2024 findings have already offered vital insights. The celebration of Zimbabwe, Kenya and Ethiopia as top performers creates a “race to the top,” inspiring continent-wide ambition. Crucially, the index reveals the mechanics of success. Nigeria’s strong performance in the “Governance” category, for instance, is attributed directly to its landmark Climate Change Act, underscoring a foundational lesson: robust legal frameworks are the bedrock of effective climate action.
However, by highlighting the leaders and the laggards, the index also illuminates the continent’s primary challenge: the persistent gap between policy and projects. This raises the critical question that the index helps to frame: Now that we know where we stand, how do we accelerate the pace of real-world implementation?
Part II: The Engine – Driving Implementation with AGESI
This is precisely where AGESI comes in. Positioned as the answer to the “how,” AGESI was launched in June 2025 with a clear mandate to function as a “do-tank,” not just a think-tank. Its core mission is to convert the ambitions measured by the ATPS Index into concrete, bankable projects.
AGESI is engineered to dismantle the key barriers to implementation:
- Catalysing Climate Finance: Access to finance is a major hurdle. AGESI tackles this by de-risking investments to attract private capital and by acting as a crucial link to major financiers. Its partnerships are key: the African Development Bank (AfDB) defines AGESI as the “catalyst” for the projects it will finance, while its collaboration with the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) – the country’s Green Climate Fund (GCF) accredited entity – provides a direct channel to structure projects that meet global standards.
- Driving Execution and Capacity: Moving beyond policy, AGESI is designed to “help build the road,” as noted by Nigeria’s Minister of Environment. It strengthens the entire ecosystem by championing transparent governance to prevent a “green resource curse” and by partnering with universities to build the local human capital needed to manage and scale green projects.
- Convening the Coalition: As a neutral convener, AGESI brings all the necessary players to one table: government bodies, financial institutions, private sector innovators, and academic researchers.
The choice of Lagos, Nigeria, for its first office is a masterstroke. It places this new engine at the heart of Africa’s largest economy, allowing it to work directly with the Federal Government to support its Climate Change Act and leverage its vibrant private sector. Nigeria thus becomes a powerful proving ground for developing successful, scalable models that can be replicated across the continent.
Conclusion: A Synergistic Approach for a Climate-Resilient Africa
The parallel emergence of the ATPS NDC Index and AGESI creates a complete and synergistic ecosystem for climate action in Africa. If the ATPS Index is the scorecard showing a country’s performance, AGESI is the coach and trainer, providing the technical, financial, and collaborative support needed to improve that score.
For the first time, the continent has both a transparent, African-owned tool to measure progress and a dedicated, action-oriented institution to drive it. This powerful combination empowers Africa to take full ownership of its climate destiny, equipped not just with ambition, but with the machinery to turn that ambition into a sustainable and prosperous reality.
By Eugene Itua (Executive Director, AGESI & CEO, Natural Eco Capital) and Magnus Chidi Onuoha (Executive Director, West Africa Green Economic Development Institute – WAGEDI)
Both Authors are part of the Nigeria Climate and Circular Economy Consortium made up of the West Africa Green Economic Development Institute (WAGEDI) and Natural Eco Capital