UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, says the organisation has allocated $5 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to minimise the impact of expected floods in Nigeria.
The CERF funding, he explained, was ahead of severe floods forecast in the country, and part of a collective initiative, which complemented a $2 million allocation from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund.
UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric
UN Spokesperson, Mr. Stephane Dujarric, told journalists on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, in New York that the partners supported by the funds would focus on providing food, cash, and shelter support for some 350,000 people in the north-eastern state of Adamawa.
Similarly, Dujarric said the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs had released one million dollars to minimise the impact of expected floods in Burkina Faso, following heavy rains in the country.
“The resources come from the Regional Humanitarian Fund for West and Central Africa, managed by OCHA, and will help two of our local NGO partners provide critical food, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene assistance to 35,000 people in the regions of Centre-Nord and Sahel ahead of the forecasted floods.”
He added it was the first time that funds were released from one of OCHA’s regional funds as part of anticipatory action efforts.
According to him, it reflects close monitoring and cooperation between the UN, partners and the Burkinabe authorities.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Thursday, September 11, 2025, pledged a firm action to safeguard the state’s lagoon against degradation.
The governor said that the fight to protect the ecosystem and livelihoods “is urgent and non-negotiable”.
Lagos Lagoon
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance at the opening of the maiden Lagos State Waterfront Summit at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.
The event had “Pressure on the Lagoon: The Lagos Experience” as uts theme.
According to Sanwo-Olu, Lagos lagoon sustains millions of people and anchors the state’s economy and culture but is under severe threat from illegal dredging, reckless land reclamation and unregulated sand mining.
The governor said that the lagoon was also under threat by abandoned ships, marine pollution and unchecked urbanisation, all worsened by climate change and coastal surges.
The governor noted that during his recent visits to coastal communities such as Ibeshe, Ilashe, Inagbe and Idotun Village, he saw flooding on homes, livelihoods and ancestral lands.
“A recent global report shows that more than 80 per cent of the shoreline of Lagos has been lost in just 50 years.
“If we remain inactive, we risk creating a Lagos where the waterfronts are unliveable and the lagoon no longer usable,” he said.
He said the Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development would provide infrastructure and services across the waterfronts, protect the environment and boost coastal tourism to position Lagos as a global destination.
Sanwo-Olu identified opportunities in eco-tourism, blue economy, renewable energy, research and innovation, and public-private partnerships as ways to turn the threats into engines of growth.
“Those who profit from illegal dredging, reckless land reclamation and environmental destruction are jeopardising the future for generations to come, and Lagos will no longer tolerate it,”Sanwo-Olu said.
He said the state government was investing in shoreline protection, preparing a master plan for waterfront development, strengthening regulations, empowering communities, funding research and mainstreaming sustainability into all projects.
“This is not a fight for government alone. We need traditional leaders to protect our heritage and the private sector to lead on sustainable projects.”
Sanwo-Olu added that the government would need regulators with integrity and the civil society to hold it accountable as well as scholars to guide new possibilities.
“If we get this right, the Lagos lagoon will flourish and become a source of pride, prosperity and protection for generations to come,” the governor said.
In a keynote address, a former Commissioner for Environment in the state, Dr Muiz Banire (SAN), described the lagoon as a “true companion” of Lagos that had nurtured families, supported industries and underpinned trade for generations.
“The lagoon is now “crying fiercely for air,” he said.
He identified unregulated industrial discharges, municipal waste, oil spillages, and over-exploitation through uncontrolled sand mining and reclamation as threats to the lagoon.
Banire added that weak enforcement of laws, overlapping agency mandates and lack of capacity to monitor environmental impact assessments as threats.
“Failure to act could result in an environmental, economic and social catastrophe, including depleted fish stocks, loss of biodiversity and increased vulnerability to flooding.
“I urge political will, stronger enforcement, inter-agency cooperation and community involvement to restore the lagoon’s resilience,” he said.
The state Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr Dayo Bush-Alebioshu, said the lagoon was more than water.
“It is life, culture, economy and identity,” he said.
The commissioner said that the lagoon faced pressure from pollution, unchecked urbanisation, climate change and illegal dredging that weakened the shoreline and depleted fish stocks.
He said the summit was convened to harness knowledge, technology and partnerships to protect the lagoon, revive its potential and position it as a driver of sustainable growth for Lagos.
Bush-Alebioshu urged participants at the event to come up with discussions that would shape future policies and actions to ensure that Lagos lagoon would remain a blessing.
The British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Foundation, in partnership with Cato Foods & Agroallied Global Concepts and the Osun State Government, has flagged off a transformative enterprise development initiative aimed at boosting cassava production and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the state.
The Enterprise Development for Smallholder Cassava Farmers project by BATN Foundation is designed to empower farmers by providing access to essential resources, markets, and training.
BATN Foundation officials and partners during the flag-off ceremony of the Enterprise Development for Smallholder Cassava Farmers project
During the flag-off ceremony in Osun, it was announced that 100 participating farmers will each cultivate half-hectare using improved and biofortified cassava varieties. These farmers will be organised into Agri-Business Clusters (ABCs) and cooperatives to streamline access to quality inputs, mechanisation, and financial services. This bloc farming model is also expected to enhance their collective marketing power.
The core objectives of the initiative are to increase cassava yield and household income by at least 40% and enhance food security. The project seeks to establish a more efficient and profitable cassava value chain by training farmers in good agronomic practices, climate-smart agriculture, and basic enterprise management. The adoption of eco-efficient tools, such as the AKILIMO cassava tool, will further support these efforts, with a key component being the assurance of sustainable market integration.
Oludare Odusanya, the General Manager of BATNF, emphasised the importance of grassroots empowerment at the event. He stated that the foundation’s interventions are not just for immediate support, but also to build long-term resilience and self-sufficiency for smallholder farmers. Odusanya expressed the belief that, with adequate resources, knowledge, and market access, these farmers can uplift their communities and significantly contribute to Nigeria’s food security.
“Our interventions are designed not only to provide immediate support but also to foster long-term resilience and self-sufficiency among smallholder farmers,” said Odusanya.
He commended the partnerships with Osun State and other collaborators, highlighting that a collective effort is essential to sustain and expand such impactful initiatives.
The programme’s core mission, according to a statement on Monday, is to shift the mindset of farmers from being mere producers to becoming dynamic agribusiness entrepreneurs. The Managing Partner and Co-Founder of CATO Foods & Agroallied Global Concepts, Pelumi Aribisala, said the initiative was designed to meet the burgeoning industrial demand for cassava while strengthening Nigeria’s food system.
BATNF’s strategic focus remains on elevating the productivity of smallholder farmers while fostering sustainable practices that secure their livelihoods for the long term.
In attendance at the flag-off ceremony were esteemed dignitaries, including the Representative of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Osun State, Oluwakemi Fadare, Olupo of Oluponna, Oba Abdul-Rafiu Oyekanmi Mosobalaje Bamigboye II, CEO, Cato Foods, Atinuke Lebile, General Manager, BATNF, Odusanya Oludare, Project Manager, BATNF, Mr Adetola Oniyelu, and other industry stakeholders.
The ongoing tripartite collaboration exemplifies how collaborative efforts, targeted interventions, and strategic investments can drive agricultural transformation. As the Foundation looks forward to expanding its programmes, the focus remains on nurturing smallholder farmers into catalysts of Nigeria’s sustainable development.
Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and the Nigerian Navy have committed to a partnership to strengthen maritime security that would support improved crude oil and gas production across the company’s operational assets in the Niger Delta.
The commitment was the highlight of a high-level meeting held on Monday, September 8, 2025, at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters in Abuja, where senior executives from Renaissance met with naval leadership to discuss joint efforts to protect critical national infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted energy output.
L-R: Director, Naval Intelligence, Commodore U.M. Bugaje; Manager, Business Relations, Relations and Sustainable Development, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Mr. Enobong Ekanem; Chief of Naval Training, Rear Admiral K.J. Odunbajo; Renaissance Africa’s Chief Production Officer, Mr. Meshach Maichibi; Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral I.A. Dewu; Renaissance Africa’s General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Igo Weli; Chief Naval Operations, Rear Admiral P.C. Nwatu; Renaissance Africa’s General Manager Security, Toye Fatoki; Chief of Naval Engineering, Rear Admiral B. Iyalla; and External Security Relations Adviser, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Ikenna Anosike… at the Nigeria Navy Headquarters, Abuja
“Our vision for Nigeria’s energy security is rooted in collaboration,” said Renaissance’s General Manager for Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Igo Weli. “Working closely with the Navy ensures that our operations are protected and our growth trajectory remains stable.”
Weli, accompanied by Renaissance’s Chief Production Officer, Meshach Maichibi, and other senior executives of the company, restated Renaissance’s commitment to partnering with public and private institutions to support the economic growth of Nigeria through improved oil and gas revenue.
Security remains a key concern for operators in the Niger Delta, where infrastructure sabotage and crude oil theft continue to pose risks to production and personnel. Speaking at the meeting, Renaissance’s General Manager for Security, Toye Fatoki, called for enhanced coordination with the Navy to improve surveillance of underwater assets and address maritime threats.
“We are seeing increasingly sophisticated threats to subsea infrastructure and offshore assets,” Fatoki said. “A coordinated response with the Navy is essential, not only to deter criminal activity but to ensure the safe and stable operation of our facilities.”
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu, welcomed the partnership initiative and reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to supporting the oil and gas sector. He commended the rapid production turnaround by the company and emphasised the importance of public and private sectors collaboration in achieving national energy objectives and maintaining maritime stability.
At the end of the meeting, both Renaissance and the Nigerian Navy agreed to establish a joint framework for operational coordination, intelligence sharing, and rapid response mechanisms to safeguard oil and gas infrastructure.
Renaissance acquired Shell’s stake in the Shell Petroleum Development Company earlier this year and has positioned itself as Nigeria’s leading indigenous upstream operators. The engagement with the Navy is part of Renaissance’s wider effort to align with government and security institutions to drive sustainable growth in the oil and gas sector.
A former Speaker of the House of Representatives and immediate past Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) Annual Conference.
The confab is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari
This ninth edition is themed: “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.”
Masari confirmed his availability for the role during a courtesy visit by a GOCOP delegation led by the Deputy President and Conference Planning Committee Chair, Danlami Nmodu, which included the Vice President (North), Mr. Tom Chiahemen, in Abuja.
During the visit, the team presented Masari with a copy of the newly published GOCOP book, which he graciously promised to read.
In a press statement, GOCOP’s Publicity Secretary, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, said that Masari, who is Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), had a distinguished record of service.
Profile
Masari was Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport in Katsina State (1991–1993), Speaker of the House of Representatives (2003–2007), and Governor of Katsina State (2015–2023).
Born in Masari village, Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State, Masari’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to diligence, honesty, and service.
From his early days in the civil service, rising through the Water Board to senior management, to his training at Middlesex Polytechnic in the UK, he has consistently distinguished himself in public life.
His political journey and leadership earned him national and traditional honours such as the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), Dallatun Katsina, and Matawallen Hausa, alongside honorary doctorates and international recognitions including the U.S. Congressional Commendation Award.
As Governor, Masari focused on infrastructure, education, healthcare, and workers’ welfare, transforming Katsina into one of the few Nigerian states without salary arrears.
His leadership attracted accolades, including The Sun Courage in Leadership Award (2016) and the Zik Leadership Prize for Good Governance (2017).
Past Speakers
Past GOCOP conferences had featured eminent speakers such as Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese (2019), who spoke on “Economy, Security and National Development: The Way Forward.”
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman (2022), who delivered the keynote “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome.”
Professor Uche Uwaleke, Capital Market scholar (2023), who addressed “Nigeria: Roadmap for Socio-Economic Recovery and Sustainability.”
Founded to uphold the tenets of journalism in the digital age, GOCOP is a professional body of 119 member organisations led by seasoned editors and senior journalists who transitioned from traditional media into online publishing.
According to the statement, “the annual conference provides a unique platform for sponsorship opportunities, offering brand visibility, media recognition, and networking with influential journalists, editors, and policy shapers.”
Partnering with GOCOP, it added, was a strong demonstration of commitment to ethical journalism and responsible media.
Shareholders of Dangote Cement Plc have received over N3.3 trillion in dividends over the last 15 years. Aside from this impressive dividend payout, the shareholders have also significantly benefited from the capital appreciation of the cement stock.
The benefits to the shareholders were disclosed on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange last Wednesday during the “Facts Behind the Figure” presentation, by the Management and Board of Dangote Cement, which was led by the new Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh.
Chairman, Dangote Cement, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh
Ikazobor, who just assumed the position of the chairman from Aliko Dangote, thanked the shareholders for standing by the company, while also assuring them of consistent good returns on their investments.
He said Dangote Cement remains resolute in transforming Africa by creating sustainable value for all its stakeholders, as it will do all to achieve its vision of making Africa self-sufficient in cement and clinker.
He stated: “To our investors, you have my unwavering commitment to safeguarding and growing your investment. To our regulators and market operators, you have my pledge of continued partnership and adherence to governance standards that lead rather than follow. To our employees and partners, you have my gratitude and my assurance that our collective strength will propel us to achievements we haven’t yet imagined.”
Speaking further on the future of the company, the Chief Executive of the company, Arvind Pathak, said: “We aim to expand installed capacity to 66.4Mta by 2030, supporting our long-term vision of making Africa self-sufficient in cement and clinker production. This growth will be driven by a mix of greenfield and brownfield projects.”
He revealed that the company has commissioned the first phase (1.5Mta) of its 3Mta Côte d’Ivoire plant, while construction of the 6Mta integrated Itori Plant continues to advance steadily. In addition, the company, according to him, has announced a $400 million investment to double its production capacity in Ethiopia.
He added: “Over the past 15 years, DCP has committed more than $8.5 billion in capital investments across Africa, underscoring our long-term confidence in the region’s growth prospects.”
The Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, praised the President/Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, for his substantial contributions to the Nigerian capital market and private sector development. He said the former Chairman of Dangote Cement, who is also his mentor, has clearly shown that wealth can be created but also transferred to the public through the capital market.
Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Temi Popoola, also lauded the new Management and Board of Dangote Cement, noting that, with Mr. Ikazoboh as the Chairman, the shareholders will surely be happy.
It will be recalled that the shareholders of the company, in its last Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the year 2024, were full of praise for the Board, Management, and staff of the company after approving a dividend payout of N502.6 billion, which translated to N30 kobo per share.
The company, in the same vein, also significantly increased its social investments by 469.8 per cent to N3.2 billion. The corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities were in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and economic empowerment.
President of the Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), Faruk Umar, said the shareholders were pleased with Aliko Dangote and his team. He said that for the company to still pay a robust dividend despite the obvious economic challenges, which also affected their operations, shows the doggedness and fighting entrepreneurial spirit of the management of the company.
According to him: “We are happy with this result. The year 2024 was very challenging due to the fluctuations in the foreign exchange market and the company’s expansion programme. But despite all these challenges, the company was still able to pay us a very good dividend and even gave us hope of better returns on our investments in the years to come. This is very commendable, and it is only a company like Dangote Cement that can achieve this laudable feat.”
Chairperson of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Bisi Bakare, also commended the company’s consistent dividend payment, noting that the company is moving in the best way of corporate governance.
He stated: “As a shareholder and an active investor of this company, I am very happy and pleased with the performance of our company so far. The earnings are not even up to N30 per share, and for the company to still declare N30 per share dividend speaks volumes of the quality of leadership that we are lucky to have in Dangote Cement. It should also be noted that Dangote Cement is the only manufacturing company that paid the highest dividend in the year under review. So, we are happy and very proud to be part of this company.”
A landmark study published on Thursday, September 11, 2025, in Nature has revealed that 213 major heatwaves in the 21st century would have been “virtually impossible” without human-caused global warming.
The research shows that fossil fuels produced by the world’s biggest oil and gas companies, including ExxonMobil, BP, Saudi Aramco and Shell, have directly intensified and increased the frequency of heatwaves across the globe.
Heatwave
The study finds:
Heatwaves since 2000 have been, on average, 1.7°C hotter due to climate change, with half of this increase caused by emissions from more than 100 “carbon majors”.
One-quarter of the 213 heatwaves would not have occurred at all without human-driven warming.
Climate change has worsened every single major heatwave recorded between 2000 and 2023.
As the planet warms, heatwaves are becoming deadlier and more destructive, driving up heat-related deaths, economic losses and ecosystem collapse. Yet the fossil fuel industry continues to expand production, despite being responsible for 60% of all human-caused CO2 emissions since 1850.
Anne Jellema, CEO of 350.org, said: “Heatwaves that devastate communities, kill thousands, and destroy crops are not ‘natural disasters’, they have been engineered, as a direct result of fossil fuel companies choosing profit over people. This new research puts names to the culprits. Ordinary people are paying the price, while Big Oil cashes in. That’s why, in just 10 days, people around the world will Draw the Line, standing up to fossil fuel giants and demanding leaders finally hold them accountable.”
The findings land just days before Draw the Line, a global mobilisation organised by 350.org and allies, with over 400 actions planned across more than 50 countries. From Berlin to Dhaka, London to New Delhi, communities will take to the streets to demand a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels and a just transition to renewable energy.
Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have signed a groundbreaking Joint Project Preparation Facility (JPPF) Framework Agreement. This strategic partnership aims to unlock a cumulative investment value of at least $1 billion and is set to significantly transform housing and urban development across the continent and boost trade and investment.
Signed on the sidelines of the ongoing fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) by Mr. Thierno-Habib Hann, Managing Director and CEO, ShafDB, and Ms. Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director, Export Development Afreximbank, the agreement aims to provide early-stage project preparation financing, propelling projects from concept to bankability efficiently and effectively.
Shelter Afrique Development Bank Managing Director, Thierno Habib Hann
The JPPF will primarily support priority sectors including building and construction, housing, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, industrial, manufacturing of building materials, commercial and residential infrastructure, and logistical platforms such as industrial zones and special economic zones.
In addition to financing, the JPPF also incorporates a robust capacity-building programme aimed at enhancing the project preparation skills of ShafDB staff, empowering them with essential skills to develop bankable and impactful projects.
Commenting on the partnership, Ms. Doherty, stated: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Shelter Afrique Development Bank to accelerate sustainable urban development across Africa. This partnership aligns with our shared vision of promoting economic growth and enhancing the quality of projects on the continent. By combining ShafDB’s expertise in housing and urban development and Afreximbank’s extensive experience in project preparation, we are poised to unlock new opportunities and deliver transformative projects in critical sectors that will amongst other benefits establish economic hubs and platforms that will promote trade and tradeable services.
“The JPPF will act as a catalyst for private sector investment, leading to substantial socio-economic development across the continent. Furthermore, our capacity-building programme will equip ShafDB staff with essential project preparation skills, ensuring sustainable project pipelines in the years to come.”
Commenting on the signing, Mr. Hann said: “Our sector faces two major structural challenges: the lack of reliable data and the insufficient preparation of projects. At ShafDB, we have already taken bold steps to address the first challenge through our VIRAL model – a data-driven framework designed to provide actionable insights and support evidence-based decision-making in housing and urban development.
“Today, we are proud to tackle the second challenge through this strategic partnership with Afreximbank. The Joint Project Preparation Facility will enable us to move projects from concept to bankability with speed and precision, unlocking over US$1 billion in investments. This is a transformative step toward building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities across Africa.”
Both Afreximbank and ShafDB are members of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), underscoring their commitment to collaboration and innovation in fostering economic development and growth across the continent.
The IATF2025, held from September 4 to 10, is projected to have resulted in the conclusion of trade and investment deals valued at over $44 billion.
As the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) ended on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 in Addis Ababa, leaders unveiled landmark initiatives to accelerate Africa’s role in the global energy transition, including the Africa Climate Innovation Compact (ACIC) and the African Climate Facility (ACF), designed to mobilise $50 billion annually for scaling local climate solutions, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy deployment and innovation.
Additionally, leaders launched Africa’s first Green Minerals Strategy, aimed at securing the continent’s place in global clean-tech supply chains through value addition, beneficiation, and strategic cooperation. The African Union Commission will also explore creating a Coalition of African Critical Mineral Producers, an OPEC-style bloc to strengthen bargaining power in negotiations over transition minerals.
Leaders have unveiled initiatives to accelerate Africa’s role in the global energy transition
Climate campaigning organisation 350.org welcomes the renewed commitment by African leaders to accelerate renewable energy across the continent, reaffirmed during the high-level Africa Climate Summit. Leaders set a continent-wide target of 300 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, a bold ambition that signals Africa’s resolve to lead in global renewable energy development.
Regina Baiden, Africa Regional Director at 350.org, said: “Africa’s bold renewable energy target is not just about megawatts, it is about justice, dignity, and resilience for people across the continent. But ambition without finance is a broken promise. Climate finance is not charity, it is a legal obligation, and the world must step up to ensure resources flow directly to communities leading the just transition. We stand in solidarity with African leaders and communities who are drawing the line at 1.5°C and demanding a fair global transition.”
The Addis Ababa Declaration represents one of the strongest statements yet from African leaders on climate finance, calling for grants over loans, debt relief, and trillions in support. It rightly condemns unilateral trade measures like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which could cost Africa billions annually, and affirms climate finance as a legal obligation under international law.
However, campaigners caution that the declaration does not go far enough. By seeking fairer access to existing multilateral banks, carbon markets, and investment frameworks that have entrenched inequality and dependency, the declaration risks reinforcing the very system that has left Africa vulnerable.
Alia Kajee, Global Campaign Project Manager at 350.org, said: “We are calling for climate financing mechanisms to be reformed to ensure fairness, adequacy, accessibility, and affordability, and to provide direct funding that meets local needs. Africa already has the solutions and expertise to drive renewable energy, resilience, and sustainable development, yet the continent is frequently denied the resources or drowned in too much debt to implement them. Closing this finance gap is essential to enable African communities to lead on climate solutions and adaptation that is equitable.”
By setting ambitious renewable energy targets, Africa is positioning itself as a global climate leader. But without ensuring community ownership, worker participation, and democratic control of the transition, Africa risks being reduced to a supplier of green minerals, carbon credits, and low-carbon manufacturing for global markets.
As the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) closed on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, African leaders reiterated their commitment to scaling up renewable energy and underscored the urgent need for international cooperation to deliver a just transition.
Reaffirming the target of generating 300 GW of renewable energy by 2030, they called for a tenfold increase in global renewable energy investment in Africa, from 2% to 20%, to ensure a fair and sustainable global energy transition.
ACS2 ends with calls for increased global investments in renewables
The call for collaboration echoes the vision of the proposed Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, which seeks to foster international cooperation to facilitate an equitable transition from fossil fuels and a financed shift to renewables. The Treaty is built on three pillars: Global Just Transition: Mobilising fair finance, technology transfer, and debt relief so no country, community, or worker is left behind; Fair Phase Out:Phasing out existing fossil fuel production equitably, with wealthier nations moving first and fastest; and ending new coal, oil, and gas projects.
The Addis Declaration, ACS2’s official outcome, also urged developed nations to honor climate finance commitments for adaptation and mitigation, and called for reforms to make international finance fair, accessible, and non-debt creating. It emphasized the need for debt resolution mechanisms to ease the growing burden many African nations face.
Seble Samuel, Head of Africa Campaigns & Advocacy, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “As African nations demonstrate critical renewable energy ambition, these plans risk being undermined by inadequate financing, an unjust global financial architecture and so-called transitional fuels that would only serve to delay a real transition. Africa has the potential to lead the renewable energy revolution, but the conditions must be right. International cooperation is essential to unlock a global energy transition rooted in justice. The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty offers a framework to foster that cooperation and deliver a fair and financed transition to renewable energy.”
Omar Elmawi, Convener, Africa Movement of Movements, said: “The second Africa Climate Summit will be remembered as a landmark moment where African nations firmly placed adaptation at the center of the continent’s climate agenda. Leaders reaffirmed the ambitious goal of 300 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and boldly called for at least $1.3 trillion in climate finance by 2035, insisting that 20% of global renewable energy financing be directed to Africa, and crucially, in the form of grants rather than loans.
“However, the summit was not without its shortcomings. The inclusion of ‘transitional fuels’ in the declaration leaves the door open for new gas projects, risking the creation of stranded assets. And while the $1.3 trillion demand is critical, pushing its delivery out to 2035 risks coming a decade too late for communities already facing the brunt of the climate crisis.”
As the summit draws to a close, the challenge ahead is to turn ambition into action, advancing a just transition and leveraging international cooperation and initiatives such as the proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty to complement existing frameworks and deliver lasting change for Africa and the world.
Momentum for the Fossil Fuel Treaty is already growing, with 17 nations in the Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia engaged in discussions. In joining this bloc of nations, African nations would have a critical opportunity to shape the terms of a Treaty that secures the finance, technology, and cooperation needed to power a just, renewable-driven future.
