AfDB to Host Africa Natural Capital Accounting Secretariat
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has announced that it will host the Secretariat of the Africa Natural Capital Accounting Community of Practice (Africa NCA-CoP), reinforcing its leadership role in integrating natural capital into climate-resilient development strategies across the continent.
Under its new mandate, the Bank will provide office space for the Secretariat at its Abidjan headquarters, implement the Africa NCA-CoP strategy and action plan, and collaborate with partners such as the World Bank, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the African Union to mobilise resources for continent-wide initiatives.
Launched in 2020 and now comprising over 500 members from 48 African countries, the NCA-CoP promotes technical capacity building, data-driven policymaking, and knowledge sharing on natural capital accounting. Previously, the Secretariat was hosted by the World Bank.
The announcement was made during a side event at the recently concluded Africa Climate Summit 2.0 in Addis Ababa, which convened policymakers, development partners, and practitioners to discuss the importance of mainstreaming natural capital into national policies, economic planning, and investment strategies.
Fred Kabanda, Manager of the Bank Group’s African Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre, emphasised the Bank’s commitment to natural capital. “The African Development Bank is prioritising natural capital as outlined in its Natural Resources Management and Investment Action Plan (2025–2029), anchored in the Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033).
Hosting the Africa NCA-CoP Secretariat allows the Bank to strengthen capacities, foster collaboration, and ensure that natural capital is fully integrated into policies and investments that drive climate-resilient development across Africa,” he said.
Africa’s abundant natural resources are essential for its economies, livelihoods, and poverty reduction efforts. However, the value of natural capital is often underrepresented in conventional economic measures, leaving ecosystems undervalued and climate vulnerabilities unaddressed.
By hosting the NCA-CoP Secretariat, the African Development Bank aims to ensure continuity, strengthen continental ownership, and advance policy engagement on natural capital accounting, ultimately unlocking Africa’s potential for inclusive, green, and climate-resilient development.
For further details on the African Development Bank’s role in the second Africa Climate Summit, visit https://apo-opa.co/4gtkiOm.
