Africa Urged to Leverage Climate Loss and Damage Fund

By Staff Reporter

African cities are urged to tap into the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), established at COP27, to build resilience against worsening climate impacts threatening lives, livelihoods, and sustainable urban development across the continent.

Africa contributes just 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet seven of the world’s ten most climate-vulnerable countries are in the region, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Global Climate 2022 report. Cities, with their growing populations and fragile infrastructure, sit at the epicenter of these risks.

The continent’s urban population of 500 million, about 40% of Africa’s people, is expanding at an annual rate of 4.1% double the global average, according to the OECD. By 2050, over 60% of Africans will be living in urban areas. Already, 56% of urban dwellers live in informal settlements, facing inadequate housing, water, sanitation, and energy access, the African Cities Research Consortium and Brookings noted in 2024 reports.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently emphasized that “Africa is on the frontlines of the climate crisis” and called for urgent investments in sustainable solutions. The newly established FRLD offers such an opportunity, with the potential to support both immediate recovery and long-term resilience.

Experts say the Fund could finance climate-resilient infrastructure like flood-resistant housing, stronger drainage systems, and reliable clean water access, while also providing jobs and supporting the informal economy. It could empower marginalized urban communities, boost disaster management systems, and strengthen local leadership for climate adaptation.

Dr Gambo, Head of Policy, Research and Partnerships at Shelter Afrique Development Bank, argued that the Fund’s success will depend on whether its criteria align with African realities in terms of data, capacity, and project assessment. “This is a unique opportunity to not only address the consequences of climate change but to reimagine African cities as sustainable and inclusive models for the future,” he said.

In conclusion, the FRLD holds transformative potential for African cities if managed wisely. By channeling resources into resilience, inclusion, and sustainable infrastructure, Africa can turn climate adversity into an opportunity to secure its urban future.

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