AfDB and Green Climate Fund Enhance Climate Finance to Speed Up Climate Action in Africa
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has strengthened its collaboration with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) following high-level strategic discussions aimed at accelerating climate finance delivery and improving the implementation of green development projects across Africa.
A delegation from the GCF’s Department of Africa Region, led by Director Catherine Koffman, met senior AfDB officials in Abidjan from 13 to 15 April 2026 to review ongoing cooperation and assess progress on climate-funded operations.
The discussions focused on the Bank’s portfolio of 11 active GCF-supported projects, with both institutions examining implementation challenges, identifying bottlenecks, and exploring practical solutions to improve delivery timelines and development impact.
The meetings were described as constructive, with an emphasis on enhancing efficiency, strengthening coordination, and ensuring that climate finance translates into tangible outcomes for African countries.
Speaking during the closing session, AfDB Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, Dr Kevin Kariuki, commended the engagement and reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to accelerating the deployment of GCF resources across the continent.
He welcomed the GCF Board’s decision, taken at its 44th meeting in March 2026, to establish regional offices in Nairobi and Abidjan. The move marks the Fund’s first physical presence in Africa and is expected to enhance coordination with partner institutions and improve responsiveness to regional climate priorities.
The partnership is also expanding beyond project implementation to include reforms aimed at simplifying access to climate finance. Earlier engagements between the two institutions explored the development of streamlined eligibility criteria, as well as data-sharing and verification systems designed to fast-track accreditation processes for eligible AfDB clients.
These efforts align with the Green Climate Fund’s revised accreditation framework introduced in 2025, which seeks to improve efficiency, transparency, and speed in onboarding implementing entities. A key feature of the reforms is a fast-track accreditation model that allows the Fund to rely on due diligence and fiduciary assessments conducted by multilateral development banks, including the AfDB Group.
The deepening partnership reflects the growing role of both institutions in mobilising climate finance for Africa, supporting inclusive green growth, and helping countries meet their commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Officials from both sides say the enhanced collaboration is expected to improve project execution, unlock additional funding, and strengthen Africa’s resilience to climate change while advancing sustainable development goals across the continent.
