More than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, while around one billion lack access to clean cooking solutions. At the same time, dependence on fossil fuels and extractive development models continues to leave many African economies vulnerable, even as the continent is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources and critical minerals. The choices Africa makes today will shape its energy systems, economies and development pathways for decades to come; and the challenge for us is how to meet the continent’s energy and development needs while avoiding new forms of dependency and ensuring that Africa benefits from the resources and opportunities driving global change. We seek a development pathway that advances energy sovereignty and economic transformation while strengthening climate resilience and accelerating low-emission development.
Africa contributes less than four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions but faces some of the most severe impacts of climate change. Across the continent, droughts, floods, heatwaves and other extreme weather events are affecting food systems, livelihoods, water security, ecosystems and economies. Indeed, seven of the 10 most climate-vulnerable countries are in Africa. As a result, adaptation and resilience are no longer future considerations but essential to protecting lives, livelihoods and development gains in the face of a changing climate. As climate impacts intensify, resilience must be embedded across policies, institutions, investments and development planning. We seek a climate-resilient Africa where communities, ecosystems and economies can adapt and thrive in a changing climate.
Africa requires significant investment to strengthen resilience, expand energy access and advance sustainable development, but access to climate finance is still shaped by a fragmented global financial system that often limits fiscal space, increases the cost of capital, and constrains development choices. Climate finance should enable Africa to respond to the climate crisis while pursuing its own development priorities. The challenge we face is not only how to mobilise more finance, but also how to ensure that financial systems and partnerships support African-led development rather than deepen existing inequalities and dependencies. We seek a financial system that advances financing sovereignty and delivers equitable and accessible climate finance in support of Africa’s climate and development priorities.
Climate change is a global challenge that no country can address alone. Decisions on climate action are made through national, regional and international processes, yet African countries and institutions often face structural barriers to influencing these decisions despite having a significant stake in their outcomes. For Africa, climate diplomacy should go beyond participation to include shaping the decisions, agreements and investments that will influence the continent’s future. We seek stronger African leadership, coordination and influence across climate and energy governance, resulting in outcomes that support resilience, sustainable development and a just energy transition.
Extreme weather events caused by changing climate conditions are affecting many communities in Africa. Livelihoods have been destroyed, food security affected, communities have been displaced and the overall security of the African people is at stake. Our work builds on tapping into Africa’s unique capabilities and capacities such as huge renewable energy potential, and youthful population, co-creating and enabling environments for investments in fostering resilience to the problems presented by climate change impacts.
Africa’s climate and energy future is shaped through interconnected national, regional and international processes, from government policy and national climate leadership to continental political forums, United Nations climate negotiations, and multilateral development banks. Shaping outcomes across these spaces requires strong institutions and coordinated leadership. Power Shift Africa provides embedded technical expertise, policy analysis and strategic support to governments, negotiators and regional institutions. This includes support to institutions such as the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment, and the African Group of Negotiators, informing positions, strengthening coordination and advancing African priorities. We also support practical demonstration initiatives that generate evidence and lessons to inform policy, planning and investment decisions.
The policies and investments that shape Africa’s future are often informed by evidence, perspectives and solutions developed elsewhere. Strengthening African influence requires analysis that is grounded in the continent’s realities, opportunities and ambitions. Power Shift Africa produces policy analysis, strategic insights and thought leadership that help shape debates, inform policy processes and strengthen advocacy. Our work helps bridge the gap between evidence, policy and action, ensuring that decision-makers, practitioners, advocates and frontline communities are better equipped to navigate complex climate and energy challenges, identify opportunities and advance African-led solutions.
Narratives shape public understanding, political priorities and policy outcomes, yet African experiences, solutions and leadership are often underrepresented in how climate and energy issues are framed and understood. Strategic communications bridge the gap between frontline realities and the spaces where decisions are made. Power Shift Africa leverages strategic communications to amplify African voices, strengthen public discourse, and ensure that African perspectives are visible in national, continental and global conversations. Through media engagement, narrative development and strategic storytelling, we connect evidence and lived experience to policy debates, financing discussions and public accountability. We work with reporters, editors, media organisations and champions to strengthen climate reporting and support more accurate, nuanced and solutions-oriented storytelling. Through multimedia content, documentaries and other communication products, we tell Africa’s climate story from African perspectives.
Lasting change requires organised constituencies that can shape public discourse, influence decision-making, and hold leaders accountable. Building and sustaining movements is therefore essential to advancing durable and people-centred climate action. Power Shift Africa invests in movement building to strengthen collaboration among civil society organisations, researchers, advocates and communities. Through coalitions and platforms, we help build shared agendas, strengthen collective advocacy and connect local priorities with national, continental and global processes.
Policy change requires sustained advocacy, public engagement and strategic spaces where diverse actors can come together to shape solutions, influence decision-making, and build momentum for change. Power Shift Africa uses advocacy, campaigns and convenings to advance African priorities on climate, energy, adaptation and finance. Through public campaigns, strategic convenings and policy dialogues, we connect evidence, lived experience and collective action to policy and political processes. Our convenings bring together diverse actors across sectors and constituencies to foster dialogue, strengthen alignment and build momentum around shared priorities.
