Tanzania stresses climate finance for Africa
ADDIS ABABA: TANZANIA has stressed that developed nations must regard climate financing for Africa as a global obligation rather than a charitable gesture.
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mr Cosato Chumi, made the statement on behalf of VicePresident Dr Philip Mpango in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the sidelines of the Second African Heads of State and Government Climate Summit.
Mr Chumi represented Dr Mpango at the high-level discussions on Africa’s climate finance priorities ahead of COP30 in Brazil this year.
“Africa will no longer sit on the sidelines. We demand our rightful place in addressing global climate change. Our continent deserves reliable, fair and adequate financing for climate solutions, mitigation and resilient development. This is not charity,” he declared.
Mr Chumi noted that although Africa contributes only 4 per cent of global emissions, it requires at least 61 billion US dollars annually for climate action. Yet, the continent currently receives less than 36 per cent of this, with Sub-Saharan Africa accessing below 5 per cent despite bearing the brunt of climate-related challenges.
He highlighted the need for stronger cooperation in investment, concessional financing, technology transfer and infrastructure development to accelerate Africa’s transition to clean energy.
Particular focus was placed on the continent’s Clean Cooking Energy Strategy, which requires more than 2 billion US dollars annually to reduce reliance on polluting energy sources.
The panel included South Africa’s Minister for Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Dr Dion George, Africa’s COP30 Special Envoy Mr Carlos Lopes and Mr Ibrahima Diong, Executive Director of the Loss and Damage Fund.
They collectively called for reforms in the global financial architecture to better address the needs of developing nations.
Discussions also emphasised the importance of mobilising 1.3 trillion US dollars annually by 2035 under the New Collective Quantified Goal, to be jointly secured by African and developed nations.
COP30, set for Brazil in 2025, is expected to redefine climate finance frameworks, replacing the long-standing 100 billion US dollar pledge with new commitments reflecting the realities and vulnerabilities of regions such as Africa.
Mr Chumi reaffirmed Tanzania’s support for a united African voice on climate finance, stressing that equitable funding remains essential for safeguarding livelihoods, driving clean energy access and protecting the continent’s future.
