The Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from September 8–10, 2025. Photo of Adis Ababa by ACS
The Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from September 8–10, 2025, hosted by the African Union and the Ethiopian Government.
The three-day summit will provide a platform for Africa to present a unified voice on climate action, advance innovative solutions, and mobilize investment for a resilient and green future.
Its theme, “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development,” signals a decisive shift.
Africa is no longer waiting to be a passive recipient of climate aidit is positioning itself as an indispensable partner in shaping global solutions.
Charting Africa’s Climate Path
ACS2 is designed to align leaders, policymakers, financiers, youth, civil society, and innovators around practical responses to the continent’s climate challenges.
The program will open on September 8 with a focus on harnessing nature and technology for decarbonisation and resilient infrastructure.
The following day will spotlight adaptation and resilience, with sessions on transforming food systems, advancing sustainable cities, and promoting new models of mobility.
The final day will concentrate on climate finance and African-led solutions, shifting the emphasis from aid to long-term investment and culminating in the adoption of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Climate Change.
Key Themes
The summit will spotlight the shifts needed to drive Africa toward a climate-resilient and prosperous future, with emphasis on:
- Climate finance and investment
- Nature-based solutions
- Renewable energy expansion
- Sustainable food systems
- Green cities and e-mobility
- Integrating indigenous knowledge with innovation
The Stakes for Africa
Although Africa contributes just four percent of global cumulative energy-related carbon emissions, it is among the regions most vulnerable to climate change.
In 2024, floods across East Africa displaced hundreds of thousands, while Ethiopia continued to endure a decade-long drought threatening agriculture and livelihoods.
Without urgent action, climate-related disruptions could reduce the continent’s GDP by up to eight percent by 2050.
Financing remains the biggest barrier to resilience.
Adaptation alone is estimated to require nearly 600 billion dollars by 2030, yet current renewable energy investment stands at less than 10 billion dollars annually.
By advocating a shift from aid dependency to sustainable investment, ACS2 seeks to unlock African-led climate funds, attract private sector participation, and create the conditions for local innovation to thrive.
Looking Ahead
The summit will bring together African Heads of State, policymakers, financiers, development partners, academics, innovators, civil society, and youth.
Expected outcomes include a unified African position ahead of COP30, stronger partnerships across sectors, and tangible commitments to climate finance.
As ACS2 approaches, Africa has the opportunity to consolidate its climate voice, engage global partners, and demonstrate leadership in the transition to a green economy.
By advancing its initiatives and presenting implementable solutions, the continent is reframing itself as a proactive partner in global climate governance.
The Second Africa Climate Summit is more than a conference it is Africa’s chance to show that it is ready to lead in shaping a resilient, sustainable future.
For participation and application details, visit: https://africaclimatesummit2.
