AfDB and Green Climate Fund Deepen Partnership to Accelerate Climate Finance in Africa

At the heart of the engagement was a comprehensive review of the African Development Bank’s current portfolio of 11 GCF-funded projects.

In a significant step toward scaling climate action across the continent, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) have intensified their collaboration following high-level strategic meetings aimed at fast-tracking climate finance delivery and improving project implementation.

The discussions, held in Abidjan from 13 to 15 April 2026, brought together senior officials from the AfDB and a delegation from the GCF's Department of Africa Region (DAFR), led by Director Catherine Koffman. The visit focused on unlocking the full potential of climate investments by addressing operational challenges and enhancing coordination between the two institutions.

Targeting Implementation Gaps in $GCF-Funded Portfolio

At the heart of the engagement was a comprehensive review of the African Development Bank's current portfolio of 11 GCF-funded projects. These projects span key sectors such as renewable energy, climate resilience, and sustainable infrastructure — all critical to Africa's transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.

Participants conducted detailed, project-level assessments to identify bottlenecks slowing implementation, including delays in disbursement, regulatory hurdles, and capacity constraints. The sessions also focused on developing practical, actionable solutions to accelerate progress and improve delivery outcomes.

Officials described the meetings as "highly constructive," noting that the open exchange of insights helped distil lessons that will inform the design and execution of future climate projects across the continent.

Boosting Efficiency and Speed of Climate Finance Delivery

The discussions come at a crucial time, as African countries face increasing pressure to implement climate commitments under the Paris Agreement while navigating limited fiscal space and growing climate risks.

During the closing session, AfDB Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, Dr. Kevin Kariuki, reaffirmed the Bank's commitment to accelerating the deployment of climate finance.

"We are focused on building on the progress achieved and ensuring that mobilised GCF resources are disbursed more efficiently and at scale," Dr. Kariuki said, thanking the GCF delegation for its direct engagement with operational teams.

GCF Establishes First Regional Presence in Africa

A major highlight of the discussions was the Green Climate Fund's decision to establish regional offices in Nairobi and Abidjan — a landmark move marking the Fund's first permanent presence on the African continent.

The decision, approved during the GCF Board's 44th meeting in March 2026, is expected to significantly enhance coordination with African partners, improve responsiveness to local needs, and strengthen oversight of funded projects.

Experts say the new offices will reduce administrative delays, improve communication with implementing agencies, and allow for more tailored support to countries navigating complex climate financing processes.

"The establishment of regional hubs brings the GCF closer to its partners and strengthens collaboration in two of Africa's most important operational centres," Dr. Kariuki noted.

Streamlining Access to Climate Finance

Beyond improving current project performance, the AfDB and GCF are also working to simplify and accelerate access to climate finance — a long-standing challenge for many African countries and institutions.

Earlier in 2026, GCF's Investment Services team visited the AfDB headquarters to explore new mechanisms aimed at reducing barriers to funding. These include:

• Co-developing eligibility criteria for climate finance applicants

• Establishing data exchange and verification systems to streamline due diligence

• Accelerating the accreditation process for Direct Access Entities (DAEs)

These efforts build on reforms introduced under the GCF's revised accreditation framework in 2025, which prioritises efficiency, transparency, and faster onboarding of eligible institutions.

A key innovation is the expansion of the fast-track accreditation model, allowing the GCF to rely on fiduciary assessments already conducted by trusted multilateral development banks like the AfDB. This reduces duplication, shortens approval timelines, and enables quicker deployment of funds.

Strengthening Africa's Climate Financing Ecosystem

The deepening partnership between the African Development Bank and the Green Climate Fund reflects a broader shift toward more integrated and scalable climate finance solutions in Africa.

Together, the two institutions play complementary roles — with the AfDB leveraging its regional expertise and project implementation capacity, and the GCF providing large-scale funding to support transformative climate initiatives.

This alignment is critical as Africa faces disproportionate climate impacts despite contributing minimally to global emissions. From extreme weather events to food insecurity and energy challenges, the need for rapid, well-coordinated investment has never been greater.

Driving Inclusive Green Growth

Officials emphasised that improved access to climate finance will not only support mitigation and adaptation efforts but also drive inclusive economic growth by creating jobs, strengthening infrastructure, and enhancing resilience in vulnerable communities.

"These ongoing engagements highlight the importance of partnership in delivering climate action at scale," participants noted. "By working together, we can mobilise the resources needed to support African countries in meeting their climate goals and building sustainable, resilient economies."

As global climate financing demands continue to rise, the strengthened AfDB–GCF collaboration signals a renewed commitment to turning climate pledges into tangible outcomes — ensuring that funding reaches the projects and communities that need it most.