Introduction and Background
The Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa) programme is a joint initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and Afreximbank. Since its establishment, the programme has played a critical role in advancing climate information services, policy integration, and resilience building across the continent. As we roll out Phase II and are poised for implementation, there is an urgent need to address key governance, resource mobilization, and operational priorities to ensure a seamless transition and effective delivery of the programme's 2026–2030 strategy.
This Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting is being convened following a preparatory meeting held on 13 March 2026, at the request of the AfDB, to build on discussions from the CDA partners' meeting in Nairobi and another online JWG preparatory meeting held on April 2, 2026. The JWG will meet on 4 May 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the margins of the Twelfth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (28–30 April 2026) and the Seventh Africa Climate Talks (30 April – 1 May 2026), to deliberate on the operationalization of ClimDev-Africa Phase II and to prepare for the inaugural meeting of the reconstituted Steering Committee.
Meeting Rationale and Objectives
The transition to Phase II requires decisive action on several fronts. The Phase II strategy and Business Plan have been developed, and Phase I evaluation reports are available. However, critical decisions regarding governance structures, resource mobilization, and institutional coordination remain outstanding. This JWG meeting provides the platform to address these issues collectively and to align on a roadmap for implementation.
The primary objectives of the meeting are to:
- Deliberate on the constitution and membership of the Phase II Steering Committee, based on recommendations from the evaluation report, and agree on the agenda and date for its first meeting.
- Discuss the operationalization of the Steering Committee's Terms of Reference, including the establishment of subordinate committees and their activities.
- Review and approve the CDSF Phase II extension request, which must be submitted to the AfDB Board by July 2026.
- Develop concrete steps for resource mobilization, targeting approximately $57 million (one-third of the $190 million required for 2026–2030), and explore donor engagement strategies.
- Plan the rollout and launch of the Phase II strategy, including communication and outreach.
- Consider UNECA's forthcoming paper on support requirements for the ClimDev Secretariat.
- Align on preparations for upcoming continental events, including COP32 in Addis Ababa and the African Development Bank Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Congo
Expected Outcomes and Deliverables
The JWG meeting will produce the following key outcomes:
- Agreed composition and terms for the Phase II Steering Committee, with a confirmed date and agenda for its inaugural meeting.
- Endorsement of the CDSF Phase II extension request for submission to the AfDB Board.
- A draft resource mobilization roadmap identifying priority funding sources and engagement strategies.
- Clear guidance on the operationalization of the Steering Committee's mandate and subordinate bodies.
- Defined next steps for the Phase II strategy launch and Secretariat support.
Meeting Methodology and Structure
The JWG meeting will be held over one full day on 4 May 2026, immediately following the Seventh Africa Climate Talks. The sessions will be interactive, combining plenary discussions and decision-making on key agenda items.
- Morning Session (4 May): Focus on governance — Steering Committee composition, membership, and operationalization of ToRs; presentation and review of the CDSF Phase II extension request.
- Afternoon Session (4 May): Focus on resource mobilization, Phase II rollout, Secretariat support, and alignment with upcoming events (COP 31/COP32, AfDB Annual Meetings). Agreement on action points and next steps..
Participant Profile
The meeting will bring together members of the ClimDev-Africa Joint Working Group, comprising senior representatives from AUC, ECA, AfDB, and Afreximbank, as well as CDSF leadership. Participation will be limited to ensure focused and productive discussions.
AUC
- Harsen Nyambe
- Sam Ogallo
- Leah Wanabwa
UNECA
- Cosmas Milton Obote Ochieng
- Yosef Amha
AfDB / CDSF
- James Kinyangi
- Solomon Osiru Ngoze
- Dieudonne Goudou
Afreximbank
- Albert Nyakujarah
- Olubunmi Obasanjo-Williams
- Oluranti Doherty
- Ama Amoah
Conclusion
This JWG meeting represents a critical step in operationalizing ClimDev-Africa Phase II. By addressing outstanding governance and resource mobilization priorities, the meeting will lay the foundation for a successful programme launch and sustained impact. The partners look forward to productive deliberations and concrete outcomes that will advance Africa's climate resilience agenda.
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