Adaptation as Africa’s Lifeline: Mercy Corps Calls for Urgent, Fair Climate Finance at Second Africa Climate Summit
As African leaders, global figures, and climate experts gather in Addis Ababa for the 2nd Africa Climate Summit, Mercy Corps warns that adaptation is not optional—it is essential for millions of people. We call for fair and adequate financing to scale African-led climate solutions and drive resilience globally.
Africa contributes less than 3% of global emissions, yet it is warming faster than the global average. Unprecedented droughts in the Horn and Southern Africa, destructive floods in West and Central Africa, and record cyclones in the south have left millions struggling to feed and educate their families and rebuild their lives and adapt to increasingly unpredictable climate extremes that continue to threaten their livelihoods and stability.
Despite these realities, adaptation finance for Africa remains dangerously inadequate. The continent needs an estimated US$579 billion by 2030—about US$52.7 billion each year—to meet its climate adaptation needs. Yet current funding averages only US$11.4 billion annually, less than one-tenth of what’s needed. Worse still, over 60% of this financing comes as loans, adding to the debt burdens instead of building resilience.
Mercy Corps Regional Director for Africa, Melaku Yirga, says:
"Africa is on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Droughts, floods, and cyclones are leaving families hungry, displaced, and increasingly vulnerable. Adaptation is not optional —it’s survival.
“Adaptation works, but communities cannot do it alone. From climate-smart agriculture to renewable energy access and anticipatory action, when connected with the right resources, communities can adapt and innovate. Leaders must unlock fair finance and reforms to protect vulnerable families now and position Africa as a global climate leader. Without this, the costs in lives and livelihoods will only continue to rise."
During this 2nd Africa Climate Summit, Mercy Corps calls for:
Placing adaptation at the heart of Africa’s climate agenda at both national and continental levels.
Unlocking fair, grant-based and concessional finance that reaches fragile and conflict-affected states and flows directly to locally led programs that strengthen resilience —from smallholder farmers and pastoralists to women and youth innovators.
The adaptation finance gap, especially in vulnerable regions, must be closed. This requires resilient markets, investments in peace and stability, and greater donor willingness to take risks in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
Recognizing Africa as a global solutions hub, with innovations in agriculture, pastoralism, renewable energy, and anticipatory action integrated into global frameworks.
Through our work in more than 20 countries across Africa, Mercy Corps sees every day that locally led adaptation works. Farmers are planting drought-resistant crops and using mobile tools to access reliable climate information. Pastoralists are protecting grazing lands and accessing markets. Solar power is providing clean water and energy, and early warning systems are helping families act before disasters strike.
With the right support and resources, these proven solutions deliver food security, stability, and livelihoods — but investment must match the urgency.
Notes to Editors
High-resolution photos from Nigeria, Mali, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Senegal showcase Africa’s climate crisis — and the frontline solutions addressing it.
A new Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance report — Adaptation finance and the private sector: opportunities and challenges for developing countries— offers the first in-depth look at private finance for climate adaptation.
Mercy Corps helps communities adapt to climate change while addressing urgent needs — through climate-smart agriculture, resilient livelihoods, and clean energy access in hard-to-reach areas.
Some of our projects include:
Mercy Corps AgriFin, which has helped over 16 million smallholder farmers in Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania access weather forecasts, crop advice, and insurance via mobile — enabling smarter planting and reduced risk.
Energy for Impact, which delivers clean, affordable energy to fragile regions — powering essential services like water pumps, food storage, schools, and clinics; helping women-led businesses adopt solar power; and strengthening sustainable food, water, and education systems.
Through the Regional Livestock Program, we partner with communities restore rangelands, improve access to clean water, and strengthen animal health systems in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
- Grace Wairima Ndungu, Senior Africa Media & Communications Manager, in Nairobi, at gndungu@mercycorps.org
- Natalie Fath, Director of Communications (based on the East Coast, U.S.), at nfath@mercycorps.org.
- Our full media team is reachable at allmediarelations@mercycorps.org.