UN Urges African Nations to Harness New Climate Plans as Pathway to Jobs, Energy Security, and Growth
As the deadline approaches for all signatories of the Paris Agreement to submit their new national climate plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the United Nations is urging African governments to seize the opportunity to strengthen their economies while addressing climate challenges.
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), emphasized that ambitious climate plans could serve as “roadmaps to stronger economies, more jobs, and higher living standards” across Africa.
“Strong national climate plans unlock new industries, major investments, affordable clean energy for all, and more resilient infrastructure against the climate disasters increasingly hitting African countries every year,” Stiell said. “Africa is not only on the frontlines of climate impacts but also at the forefront of solutions, with vast potential and innovation emerging across the continent.”
He added that well-designed NDCs could generate millions of new jobs and transform climate resilience into tangible economic gains.
Call for Submitting New NDCs
The UN is encouraging all countries to submit their updated NDCs ahead of key milestones, including the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Ambition Summit in September and the upcoming COP30 in Brazil this November.
While the heaviest responsibility lies with major economies that shape global emissions, the UN stressed that every country must deliver its most ambitious plan to strengthen collective action, bolster prosperity, and secure national interests.
African Examples Leading the Way
South Africa: Its climate plan focuses on a just energy transition, protecting workers and communities while expanding renewable energy sources. International partnerships have increased investment pledges from $8.5 billion to $11.6 billion to support its coal-to-clean energy shift.
Nigeria: Linking climate action to job creation and poverty reduction, Nigeria’s strategy aims to provide clean energy access to over 85 million people still lacking electricity. Large-scale solar projects are projected to create nearly 34,000 direct green jobs by 2030, while micro-solar initiatives employ youth as “energy officers.” The country’s “Great Green Wall” project has restored more than 5 million hectares of land, with mangroves offering carbon storage and flood protection. Nigeria’s upcoming climate plan is positioned as a national investment strategy to generate millions of green jobs by 2035.
Morocco: A regional leader in renewables, Morocco’s Ouarzazate solar complex—one of the world’s largest—illustrates how ambitious national policies can deliver clean energy at scale.
Recent events such as Ethiopia’s Climate Week and Zambia’s Adaptation Expo have showcased innovative solutions that can be scaled up and replicated across the continent.
Africa at the Forefront
Momentum for climate action in Africa is growing, highlighted by the African Climate Summit in Addis Ababa and the Nairobi Declaration of 2023, which positioned the continent as a driver of global solutions. The UN is urging African nations to translate these political signals into concrete climate plans that deliver real benefits for people and economies.
Through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, African nations have an opportunity to build resilient supply chains, export green products and services, and foster shared prosperity.
Climate Finance: A Cornerstone
Adequate climate finance remains a critical enabler for developing nations to implement stronger plans. At COP29 in Azerbaijan, countries agreed to double climate finance to $300 billion annually, with a roadmap under discussion for COP30 in Brazil to increase flows to $1.3 trillion a year by 2035.
“Climate finance is not charity; it is an investment in shared prosperity,” the UN stressed, framing it as essential to turn climate ambition into real economic outcomes.
Background: What Are NDCs?
Under the Paris Agreement, NDCs are the primary tool for countries to outline their plans to reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts. When well-prepared, they act as investment strategies that attract capital, create jobs, cut healthcare costs, and expand access to clean, affordable energy.
NDCs are updated every five years, with the third round of plans due in 2025, covering actions through 2035.