President William Ruto has intensified efforts to bolster climate resilience across Africa, addressing the continent’s escalating climate-related challenges such as prolonged droughts, devastating floods, and increasing threats to food security and economic stability.
In a post shared on X on January 26, 2026, President Ruto announced that he convened a virtual Special Africa Leaders’ Meeting on Climate Adaptation, uniting heads of state, regional leaders, and international partners.
He emphasized the critical need for coordinated action, asserting, “Africa is stepping into its next phase of climate resilience. Leaders are aligning adaptation, development, and macro-economic stability to unlock resilient growth across the continent.”
The meeting concentrated on integrating climate adaptation with developmental priorities and economic stability, as African nations confront escalating climate shocks that disrupt livelihoods and public finances.
AAAP at the Core of the Adaptation Initiative
Central to the discussions was the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Programme (AAAP), which President Ruto identified as “the continent’s flagship platform to scale up climate adaptation while supporting jobs, food security, and public health.”
Launched in 2021, this initiative represents a collaborative effort among the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, and the Global Centre on Adaptation.
President Ruto underscored the significance of partnerships in ensuring the programme’s success.
“The programme thrives on a robust alliance between the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, and the Global Centre on Adaptation, merging political leadership, financial resources, and technical expertise to accelerate large-scale adaptation.”
He noted that this approach is particularly pertinent amid tightening fiscal constraints and escalating climate risks, as it aligns adaptation investments with developmental finance to foster economic recovery and sustainable growth.
Leaders Advocate for Increased Climate Financing
The virtual meeting reaffirmed shared priorities, with President Ruto urging the necessity “to mobilise concrete partnerships and scale up resilient financing across Africa.”
Notable participants included Presidents Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and Mohammed Al-Menfi of Libya, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and former Senegalese President Macky Sall, who chairs the Global Centre on Adaptation Supervisory Board.
Countries represented at the ministerial level included Ghana, Norway, Mauritius, and France, among others.
