The Green Climate Fund has approved $151 million in financing for a climate resilience program in the Horn of Africa, led by the African Development Bank. This support, which includes a $90.7 million grant and a $60.3 million loan, is intended to strengthen climate resilience in Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. The program will benefit 4.6 million people affected by the adverse effects of climate change, such as droughts and floods, which have weakened livelihoods in the region.
The Horn of Africa is one of the most climate-vulnerable regions, with irregular rainfall and rising temperatures that have exacerbated food insecurity and poverty. Dr. Martin Fregene, Director of Agriculture and Agro-Industry at the African Development Bank, stated, “The mobilization of support from the Green Climate Fund demonstrates the African Development Bank’s ongoing commitment to expanding sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural systems in the Horn of Africa, thereby improving food security in one of the most vulnerable regions on the planet.”
The financing will enable the implementation of community-driven resilience solutions focused on sustainability and gender equity. These include land management practices, access to smart technologies, renewable energy, and capacity building for cooperatives and small businesses.
In addition to community benefits, the project is expected to contribute to a significant reduction in carbon emissions, with the potential to sequester 14.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over the project’s 25-year lifespan.
The African Development Bank will manage the program, which is set to begin in the first quarter of 2025 and will be implemented in the five countries over six years. The project’s interventions are expected to benefit communities over the next 25 years.
