Facing vulnerability to climate change, Africa stands at a decisive crossroads. Decisions made during COP29 will be closely watched to determine the continent's climate future and its ability to tackle pressing challenges.
The primary goal of the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), held in Baku from November 11 to 22, is to bring nations together to take concrete action to combat global warming and its increasingly severe consequences. In a world marked by record temperatures and escalating climate-related disasters, Africa—a particularly vulnerable continent—finds itself at the heart of discussions, with specific issues demanding the attention of international stakeholders. Africa, feeling the brunt of climate change effects, is central to debates involving over 40,000 participants, including around 100 heads of state and government from across the globe. The continent is calling for financial resources tailored to its unique needs.
Africa requires no less than $1.3 trillion annually to address this unprecedented environmental crisis. This figure is a focal point for Africa during ongoing negotiations on a new global financial target to support developing countries through 2030. For African nations, this target should not just be a political figure but a true reflection of their needs to achieve the Paris Agreement goals, which aim to limit global warming to 1.5°C by the century's end. Tosi Mpanu Mpanu, chief negotiator for the Democratic Republic of Congo, expressed this clearly: "We want this target to be more than a nice round number—it must reflect the actual needs of developing countries.” The African Group of Nations estimates that between $1 trillion and $1.3 trillion should be mobilized each year to enable Africa to adapt to climate impacts, accelerate renewable energy transitions, and repair damage caused by increasingly frequent climate events such as floods, droughts, and cyclones.
Access to financing remains a critical issue for Africa. Although significant amounts are allocated to climate finance globally, Africa currently receives a minimal share. According to the African Development Bank, the continent captures only 3% of global climate finance flows. This situation is even more concerning for many African countries already heavily indebted. Relying on loans, often with high interest rates, is therefore not a viable solution. There is an urgent need to reorient these funds toward grants, to avoid further burdening the debt of the most vulnerable countries.
Tosi Mpanu Mpanu highlights this issue: "We hope that, if these funds are mobilized, they will come with better disbursement terms. The money is often there, but we can’t access it.” Reforming climate financing mechanisms to ensure that African countries genuinely benefit from promised aid will be a central point of contention during the negotiations in Baku.
Geopolitical Tensions and North-South Cooperation
Climate negotiations are also unfolding against a backdrop of geopolitical tension, marked by sharp divisions between the Global North and South. Developing countries have high expectations for COP29, yet face significant obstacles. Among these obstacles is the persistence of armed conflicts in certain world regions, weakening trust in the multilateral system. Additionally, the re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. president has raised concerns about a potential U.S. withdrawal from climate agreements. A known climate skeptic, Trump supported the U.S. exit from the Paris Agreement during his first term, which could have devastating consequences on negotiations and the implementation of climate commitments.
Relations between the North and South, particularly on climate financing, remain highly contentious. Developed countries, historically responsible for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions, pledged to provide $100 billion annually from 2020 to 2025 to help developing nations combat climate change. However, this promise has not been fulfilled, fueling a sense of injustice in the Global South. For these countries, climate finance represents not only financial support but a means to address the "climate debt” historically owed by developed nations.
The failure to meet these commitments has intensified the lack of trust between North and South. African nations, who are among the first to suffer from global warming, now see adequate funding access as an imperative for their survival and sustainable development. In this sense, the Baku negotiations are viewed as an opportunity to restore this trust and begin a truly equitable process of cooperation.