How did the continent score at COP in individual categories?

Two weeks ago, we published a bingo card listing the nine parts of Africa’s climate agenda. They had been agreed by national leaders at the Africa Climate Summit and set out in the Nairobi Declaration published on September 6th. 

How much of this has been achieved at COP28? What wins did African negotiators achieve?

1. Energy: A beacon of progress (8/10)

Energy transition took centre stage at COP28 with lots of announcements: 

• Africa-EU Green Energy Initiative: €20 billion promised for Team Europe to increase access to green energy in Africa. 

• Masdar signed for 10 GW in projects in Angola, Uganda, the Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mozambique and Zambia.

• EAIF committed €11.5 million to West Africa’s first solar and battery energy storage system project.

2. Fossil fuel challenges (2/10)

African nations resisted a phaseout due to economic realities. Scepticism surrounds pledges made at COP28, laying bare the balance between economic growth and environmental commitments. The African Energy Chamber (AEC) strongly urged African countries to reject any and all anti-fossil fuel policies. 

3. Climate finance: A mixed bag (4/10)

While climate finance is finally on the table, the African Group of Negotiators expressed dissatisfaction with adaptation finance talks. On the final day, they insisted on their request for a Global Goal Adaptation framework.

• Meanwhile, the $700 million pledged to the loss and damage fund at COP28 cover less than 0.2% of the required amount, raising concerns about the adequacy of these financial commitments.

4. Nature and biodiversity: A call for implementation (6/10)

COP28 saw commitments of $1.7 billion for biodiversity by 2025, marking progress especially for Ghana, DRC and Congo. However, the key challenge lies in implementation. Stewards on the ground are needed to ensure tangible actions.

• According to James Lloyd from N4C, “We need to direct these investments in regenerative systems. The key will be how these words turn into action, how we cover the last 50 miles.”

5. Regulations: The unanswered question (1/10)

Progress on new climate regulations remains unclear. Absence in the narrative raises questions about the comprehensiveness of the climate agenda. 

6. Industrialisation: A green initiative (6/10)

The Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII) took shape at COP28. Developing countries seek the right balance between climate action and economic development.

• Kenya announced $4 billion worth of projects.

• Key is bringing industrial processing back to the continent. 

7. Cooperation: Building (small) bridges (5/10)

Several initiatives aiming to join up nations are taking shape, but remain small given the scale of the continent:

• LEAP Africa and Dow united over 10,000 volunteers across 28 African countries to achieve SDGs.

• A leadership platform to accelerate climate adaptation in Africa has been launched at COP. 

8. Agriculture: Finally pushed forward (6/10)

A declaration on smallholders set the tone, while AfDB's $1 billion insurance facility for farmers adds an extra layer of security. And the World Bank unveiled $100 million for climate-smart agriculture in Africa.

• Rwanda, Sierra Leone and others launched a coalition to transform food and land use systems.

• The Rwandan Agriculture minister going off-script put food systems at the centre of the global stocktake. 

9. Infrastructure:  (5/10) 

Though still small, infrastructure gained momentum with pledges for $175 million to the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa, showcasing a commitment to sustainable development at the level of the continent. Also: 

• USAID committed $53 million for climate resilience in cities Across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

• Africa Finance Corporation: $350 million long-term line of credit for infrastructure signed with the African Development Bank.