Dear President William Ruto,
We are gravely concerned about the direction the African Climate Summit is taking.
We look up to you as Africa’s most senior leader on climate change. As the Chairperson of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), you are the fulcrum around which Africa’s interests and position on climate issues revolves as defined by African Ministers (AMCEN) and officials (AGN).
The summit is a tremendous opportunity to chart a new course for the continent that creates a leadership vision for a cleaner, safer and prosperous future that protects our people, our food systems, water resources and biodiversity.
This vision must boost our collective efforts to build our renewable energy systems and electrification infrastructure on a scale that benefits millions of Africans while inspiring other countries to make interventions that prevent further global heating.
Rather than advancing Africa’s interests and position on critical climate issues, the summit has been seized by Western governments, consultancy companies and philanthropic organisations hellbent on pushing a pro-West agenda and interests at the expense of Africa.
Even more worryingly, the agenda of the Summit has been unduly influenced by US-based consultancy firm McKinsey & Company. The lead of African officials and ministers has been pushed on the backburner.
These developments are seriously unsettling.
The Summit concept note, as proposed by McKinsey & Company, reflects the interests of the US, McKinsey and the western corporations they represent. Meanwhile, Africa’s stated priorities are conspicuously missing, as a result.
Moreover, the so-called “think tanks committee” set up to drive negotiations at the Summit is chaired by individuals who represent UK and US-based organisations and not African organisations.
The content for the Summit – including major initiatives – is being spearheaded by McKinsey, with the World Resources Institute now competing to shape the agenda and its outcomes. Both are headquartered in the United States and do not champion Africa’s interests.
Some African organisations that advance Western agenda have also been given a disproportionately huge role in the organisation of the event.
The result is a Summit agenda that foregrounds the position and interests of the West, namely, carbon markets, carbon sequestration and “climate positive” approaches. These concepts and false solutions are led by Western interests while being marketed as African priorities. In truth, though, these approaches will embolden wealthy nations and large corporations to continue polluting the world, much to Africa’s detriment.
African professionals and leaders are aware of the capture of this Summit by non-Africans and some are already threatening to not attend. This trend will grow as word spreads that this is not an African conference. The risk is the collapse of the event in the eleventh hour.
But all is not lost, Mr President. Things can still be remedied. We, therefore, call for an urgent reset of the Summit in a manner that puts Africa’s interests first.
As an African Head of State who champions the continent’s interests in the climate discourse, you have gained international recognition for fronting transformative ideas and being firm in this cause. Similarly, there is a wealth of African-led ideas and proposals that the Nairobi summit must consider.
To restore the meeting on track and to advance an agenda of, by and for Africans, we call on you to:
CC:
African Heads of State and Governments
Chairperson of the African Union
Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Signed by the following organisations, CSOs, Movements across Africa and African Diaspora
NAME OF ORGANISATION/CSO/MOVEMENT | COUNTRY/COVERAGE | |
350 Ghana Reducing our Carbon | Ghana | |
A Common Future | Cameroon | |
AAPI Ghana chapter | Ghana | |
AbibiNsroma Foundation | Ghana | |
Acção Florestal | Angola | |
Accountability Project Gambia | Gambia | |
Action for Community Transformation (ACT) | Liberia | |
ActionAid International Burundi | Burundi | |
ActionAid International Somalia | Somalia | |
ACTIVISTA GHANA | Ghana | |
ADOA MEDIA CONSULT | Ghana | |
Africa Climate and Healthy Alliance | Botswana | |
Africa Coal Network | Regional; 26 states across Africa | |
Africa Movement Building Space | Africa | |
Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) | Nigeria | |
Africa Water Justice Network | Ghana, Gambia | |
African Coalition on Green Growth | African-wide | |
African Council of Religious Leaders - Religions for Peace | Headquartered in Kenya with coverage in over 30 African states. | |
AFRICAN DIASPORA FOR DEVELOPMENT | Global Mouvement | |
African Network of Young Researchers | Regional | |
African Parliamentary Network on Illicit Financial Flows and Tax (APNIFFT) | Regional: 43 Countries | |
African Renaissance Trust | Kenya and Ethiopia | |
African Union youth wing | Liberia | |
African Women’s Communication and Development Network | Kenya | |
African Youth Commission | African wide Network | |
African youth mouvement | Mali | |
Africans Rising | Africa and Diaspora | |
Afrika youth movement | DRC | |
AFRIKA YOUTH MOVEMENT | Afrika | |
Agency for Community Development and environmental conservation | Uganda | |
AGIR POUR LA SÉCURITÉ ET LA SOUVERAINETE ALIMENTAIRE ASSA | DRC | |
Agribusiness for African Markets | Kenya | |
AGRICULTURAL EXPERTISE CENTER | Benin | |
AGUIPER | République de Guinée | |
Akadi Group | Kenya | |
Al ummah Perfumes | Nigeria | |
AL-IHSAN QUANTUM COMPUTER CENTRE | Nigeria | |
Alliance Multibusiness Concept Ltd | Nigeria | |
Alliance of Kiambu Residents and Neighbourhood Associations | Kenya | |
Alpha and Omega Reconciliation and Peace Building(AREPEB) | Tanzania | |
Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative ACDI | Nigeria | |
Amadu James foundation | Sierra Leone | |
Article 43 committee | Kenya | |
ASOMEF | Cameroon | |
Association d’aide aux femmes et enfants démunis | Mali | |
Association des Acteurs de Développement (ADEV) | Cameroon | |
Association des Jeunes Arc-en-ciel pour la Stabilité Sociale en Afrique (AJASSA) | Tchad | |
Association for Climate Action Network Eastern Africa (ACANEA) | Uganda - cover the Eastern Africa Region | |
Association for the welfare of women and indigenous people | Cameroon | |
Association of Young Visionaries for the Development of Congo AJVDC | Democratic Republic of Congo DRC | |
ATTAC CADTM Burkina | Burkina Faso | |
AuRab | Nigeria | |
Baffa Agro Solution | Nigeria | |
Balanta B'urassa History & Genealogy Society in America | United States & Guinea Bissau | |
Bargny coast waterkeeper | Senegal | |
Barnabas Charity Outreach | Nigeria | |
Baruch Initiative for Transformation | Nigeria | |
Barwaqa relief organization | Kenya | |
Benard Wabuge | Kenya | |
Better Future for Young Generation | Nigeria | |
Big Afrika Network | Kenya Nakuru | |
Bio Gardening Innovations | Kenya | |
Biso Peuple | Congo-Kinshasa | |
Boma Ikolojia Regeneration | Kenya | |
Bomet University Environmental club | Kenya | |
Buleega Baptist Church | Uganda | |
Cameroon Women's Peace Movement | Cameroon | |
Campaign for Democratic and Workers' Rights | Nigeria | |
CAN East Africa | East Africa region | |
CARE FOR ENVIRONMENT | Cameroon | |
Carefound-Liberia | Liberia | |
Catford Against Social Cleansing | UK | |
Center for Conservation and Ecoenergy Initiative -CCEI Uganda | Uganda | |
Center for Environmental Advocacy and Development-CEDA | South Sudan | |
Center for Integrated Community Empowerment | East African Region | |
Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) | South Sudan | |
Central Organisation of Trade Unions Kenya (COTU) | Regional | |
Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management (CECIC) | Uganda | |
Centre for Climatology and Applied Research | Botswana | |
Centre for Coordination of Youth Activities CCYA | Sierra Leone | |
Centre for Learning & Development | Nigeria | |
Centre for Natural Resource Governance | Zimbabwe | |
Centre for Partnership Initiatives Sierra Leone | Sierra Leone | |
Centre of Dialogue on human Settlement and Poverty Alleviation (CODOHSAPA) | Sierra Leone | |
CFE-CAMEROUN | Cameroon | |
Child friendly spaces kenya | Kenya | |
Children and Young People Living for Peace (CYPLP) | Nigeria | |
Chirichiro wrua | Kenya | |
Christian Aid | Global - Sierra Leone based | |
CLAP Gh | Ghana | |
Clean steps international academic Nigeria | Nigeria | |
Climate Action Network (CAN) Africa | Africa | |
Climate Action Network Uganda | Uganda | |
Climate Action Network Zambia | Zambia | |
Climate Action Network Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe | |
Climate and sustainable development Action Club | Niger | |
CLIMATE CHANGE AFRICA OPPORTUNITIES - CCAO | Democratic Republic of Congo | |
Climate Clock Rwanda | ||
Climate Communications and Local Governance-Africa | Ghana | |
Climate Kakuma | Kenya | |
Cmiqn5e | Uganda | |
Coalition Action For Preventive Mental Health Kenya | Kenya | |
Communities Forestry And Social Development International | Ghana | |
Community And Family Aid Foundation-Ghana | Ghana | |
Community Initiative for Peace And Development ( CIPAD-INTENATIONAL) | Guinée | |
Community Transformation Foundation Network (COTFONE) | Uganda | |
Confirm Catering Limited | Nigeria | |
CONNECT AFRICA | Ghana and Ethiopia | |
Connected Advocacy | Nigeria | |
Connected Advocacy | Nigeria | |
CONSTRUISONS ENSEMBLE LE MONDE | DRC | |
Coordination des Élèves et Étudiants Patriotes (CEEP) | Senegal | |
COTU | Kenya | |
County government of Kisumu | Kenya | |
CYMG to UNEP | Global | |
Dare Organization | Tunisia | |
Democracy And Development Associates-Sierra | Sierra Leone | |
Den of Hope Youth Group | Kenya | |
Development Education and Advocacy Resources for Africa | Nigeria | |
Dunia Salama Foundation | Tanzania | |
Dzuka Cholinga youth Zambia | Lusaka, Zambia | |
Easy Urban Green Grower | Kenya | |
Ebubedike Consultancy Limited | Nigeria | |
ECCSA | Ethiopia | |
Ecological Justice | Kenya-Eastern Africa | |
Ecovista laikipia | Kenya | |
Effective Care | Cameroon | |
Emmaus International | Zimbabwe | |
Emmy Digital Technology Concept | Nigeria | |
Emonyo Yefwe International | Kenya | |
Enowem Network | Nigeria | |
Environmental Management and Sustainable Farming Service for Africa | Sierra Leone | |
Environmental Rights Action Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) | Nigeria | |
ESAFF BURUNDI | Burundi | |
Extinction rébellion université de Goma | République Démocratique du Congo | |
Fabius Mulongo Foundation | Kenya | |
FAEB - Fédération AgroEcologique du Bénin | Benin | |
FEDERAL UNIVERSITY DUTSE | Nigeria | |
Federation of Environmental and Ecological Diversity for Agricultural Revampment and Human Rights (FEEDAR & HR) | Cameroon | |
Felmart | Nigeria | |
FEMNET African Women's Development and Communication Network | Pan African | |
Fight Inequality Alliance Pan Africa | Continental | |
Food and Rural Development Foundation (FORUDEF) | Cameroon | |
Forum des Engagés pour le Développement Durable (FORED) | Democratic Republic of Congo | |
Foundation for Environmental Management and Campaign against Poverty-FEMAPO | Tanzania | |
Foundation For Environmental Rights,Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) | National and Regional | |
Fridays for Future MAPA | Global south | |
Friends of Franbarnie International | Liberia | |
Friends of Lake Turkana | Kenya | |
Gambia Association of the Physically Disabled (GAPD) | Gambia | |
Gambibgo Ghana Project | Ghana | |
Gatef organization | Egypt | |
Gbolekekro Women Empowerment and Development Organization (GWEDO) | Nigeria | |
GCA | Kenya | |
GDMR | Mozambique | |
GenderCC SA - Women for Climate Justice | South Africa | |
Girls and Women Empowerment Network Trust | Zimbabwe | |
Give them hope women | Liberia | |
GLFx Nairobi | Kenya | |
Global Alliance for Public Health Intervention (GAPHI) | Nigeria | |
Global River Protection Coalition | Africa-wide | |
Good Health Community Programmes | Kenya | |
Governing African Development | Sénégal | |
GPU | Uganda | |
Grassroots initiative for peace | Nairobi | |
Greeh Homeland Initiative | Uganda | |
Green Arise Initiative | Kenya | |
Green Cameroon | Cameroon | |
Green Circle Foundation | Kenya | |
Green leaf Advocacy and Empowerment Center | Nigeria | |
Green Life Act | Cameroon | |
Green Mama Africa | Kenya | |
Green Somali initiative GSI | Somalia | |
Greenpeace United | Nigeria | |
groundWork/ Friends of the Earth South Africa | South Africa | |
Gsm repairs | Nigeria | |
Haddy decor creatives | Uganda | |
Haki Nawiri Afrika | Kenya | |
HAMID INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS LTD | Nigeria | |
Hawlat and Toyeeb enterprise | Nigeria | |
Health of Mother Earth Foundation | Nigeria | |
Heart to bear love foundation | Nigeria | |
Hope for Street Children and Vulnerable people Foundation | Nigeria | |
Hope for Youth and Women Organisation/ Central Region Devolopment Commissiom | Ghana | |
Hopes Of Tomorrow (H.O.T) | The Gambia | |
Human Rights education for schools (huries) | Kenya | |
Human Rights Reporters Ghana | Ghana | |
Humanitarian Focus Foundation | United States | |
Humanitarian Works Organization | Cameroon | |
Inclusive Civic Engagement Organization of Africa | Ethiopia | |
Independent Signee | Kenya | |
Individual | Uganda | |
Inicia Mudança Social - IMS E.I | Mozambique | |
Initiative for Inclusive Empowerment (IIE) | Kenya | |
Initiative pour le Développement Communautaire (IDC) | Senegal | |
Initiatives pour le Changement, Paix et Développement | DRC | |
Inspirational Leadership Movement | Sierra Leone | |
Inspire World International Foundation | Nigeria | |
Institute for political progress | Somalia/Somaliland | |
International Governance Institute IGI-Cameroon | Cameroon, Kenya, DRC, Senegal and UK | |
ISD AFRICA | Ethiopia | |
JCI Abidjan-Premium | elle est basée dans plus 100 pays | |
Jeunes action classiques ESPOIR des jeunes | Niger | |
JIF'AFRIK | Sénégal | |
j'if'Afrik (jeunesse interconnectés et fusionné d'Afrique) | Sénégal | |
Jojo Tengya Foundation | Nigeria | |
KADIVDO NETWORK | Uganda | |
Kaganga John | Uganda | |
Kakamega county disability cacus | Kenya | |
Kamujuu coffee farm | Kenya | |
Kamukunji Paralegal Trust (KAPLET) | Kenya | |
Karamoja Go Green | Uganda | |
Kaura Goje Development and Enlightenment Association | Nigeria | |
Kayole Community Justice Center | Kenya | |
Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre | Nigeria | |
Kenya Climate Change Working Group (KCCWG) | Kenya | |
Kenya quarry and mine worker's union | Kenya | |
Kikandwa Environmental Association | Uganda | |
Kilifi Social Justice Centre | Kenya | |
Kilombo Africa Strategies Lab | Sierra Leone and Germany | |
Kishoka Youth Organization | Kenya | |
Kitron Green Solutions | Nigeria | |
Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network | Kenya | |
KUBATSIRA | Mozambique | |
Kwatankwari Family Foundation | Nigeria | |
Laudato Si' Movement Africa | Africa region | |
Liberty 32 | Madagascar | |
Light Bearers Youth Initiative Trust | Zimbabwe | |
Light of brain entertainment | Sénégal | |
Lower Nyakach Pamoja Youth Group | Kenya | |
Lubaga social justice center/Fellowship for community enlightenment | Uganda | |
M A.Afrika | Cameroon | |
Malimbas Consultoria & Serviços Sociedade Unipessoal, Lda | Mozambique | |
MDC Hloldings | Cameroon | |
Media Initiative on Peace | Zimbabwe | |
Mind initiative | West Africa region | |
Molding minds and changing attitude | Liberia | |
Mongu District Farmers Association | Zambia | |
Movement for Social Justice | The Gambia | |
Movimento Hip hop Terceira Divisão | Angola | |
MPULUNGU YOUTH VISION CENTRE | Zambia | |
Munis global concept | Nigeria | |
Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) | Kenya | |
Mzalendo Halisi Foundation | Kenya | |
Namagnon | Mali | |
Narec | Kenya | |
Nareto Latia indigenous people's program | Kenya | |
National Security Council Secretariat | Regional | |
National Sudanese Women Association | Sudan | |
National youth council of Nigeria NYCN, FCT chapter | Nigeria | |
Natural Resource Women | Liberia | |
Nature Guardian | Uganda | |
NATURELCD | DRC | |
Nawi Afrifem Macroeconomics Collective | Kenya | |
Nawiri Africa Social Justice Center | Kenya | |
Nde Oduko Foundation | Nigeria | |
NDI | Kenya | |
Network Movement for Youth and Children's Welfare (NMYCW) | Sierra Leone | |
Network of Africans Journalists again Climate and Environmental Crisis | Côte d'Ivoire | |
New Apostolic Centre for Development (NCD) | Nigeria | |
New Millennium Women Empowerment Organization | Ethiopia | |
Nguzo Africa | Kenya | |
Nigerian Earth Warriors | Nigeria | |
Njala Students' Union | Sierra Leone | |
Northern Youth Council of Nigeria | Nigeria | |
Nyali Zambia | Zambia | |
Ode’s Music | Sierra Leone | |
Ohanezendigbo youth Oji-river Chapter | Nigeria | |
Oil Watch Africa | Africa - Regional | |
OilWatch Kenya | Regional | |
Okara & Onuko Company Advocates | Kenya | |
Okoa Jamii Arts Initiative | Kenya | |
One More Percent | Kenya | |
Organization for a United Africa (OUA) | Kenya | |
PAFM | USA | |
Pambazuka | Kenya | |
Pamellah | Kenya | |
Pan - African Peacemakers Alliance (PAPA) | South Sudan | |
Pan African Media Alliance for Climate Change (PAMACC) | Kenya | |
Partnership for Universal Healthcare | Kenya | |
Pastoralists Alliance for Resilience and Adaptation Across Nations (PARAAN) | Kenya | |
Peace Society of Kenya | Kenya | |
PEOPLES FEDERATION FOR NATIONAL PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT (PEFENAP) | Malawi | |
Peuple noir magazine | DRC | |
PLATAFORMA MOCAMBICANA DA mULHER E RAPARIGA | Mozambique | |
Plogging Kenya | Kenya | |
Policy Alert | Nigeria | |
Population and Development Initiative (PDI) | Tanzania | |
Power Shift Africa | pan African | |
Powering Young Initiatives | Zambia | |
Praxis Academy | Nigeria | |
Promotion Hub231 | Liberia | |
Quality e | Mauritanie | |
Rachael Mwikali | Kenya | |
RAPEN | Senegal | |
Reach Out Cameroon | Cameroon | |
RECODEF Sénégal | Sénégal | |
ReSCOPE | Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe | |
ReSCOPE network | Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya,Malawi and Uganda | |
Réseau d'Appui au Développement Local (RESADEL) | République de Guinée | |
Réseau des jeunes pour le développement communautaire | Afrique de l'ouest ( côte d'ivoire) | |
Restore Green Lives | Liberia | |
Rimi crop nig ltd | Nigeria | |
Rural Agency for lifelyhood development | The Gambia | |
Rural Women assembly | Malawi | |
Rural Women Assembly (RWA) | South Africa | |
Rural women's assembly Zambia | Zambia 🇿🇲 | |
Sahel Dev | Cameroon | |
Sandu Youth Development Network | The Gambia | |
SAUTI ya WANAWAKE | Kenya | |
Savañnah Zambia | Zambia | |
Scar of life youth organization | Malawi | |
Shalom Women's Development Network | Uganda | |
Sinatsisa Lubombo | Eswatini | |
Sista Shanice Show | UK | |
Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA) | Nigeria | |
Solidarity health Foundation | Cameroon | |
Solidarity health Foundation | Cameroon | |
Somali Greenpeace Association | Somalia | |
Southern Africa Climate Change Coalition | Botswana | |
Southern Africa Rural Women's Assembly (RWA) | Regional (Southern Africa) | |
Stratford College of Management | The Gambia | |
Sudan Of Future | Sudan | |
Support for Women in Agriculture and Environment (SWAGEN) | Uganda | |
Surge Africa Organisation | Nigeria | |
Survivors of Presidential Alternative Treatment Program | The Gambia | |
Sustainable Education for All Initiative | Ghana | |
Sustainable Rural Community Development Organisation | Malawi | |
Taalu limited | Geneva | |
The African Women’s network for Community management of Forests - REFACOF | 20 African countries - The Secretariat is based in Cameroon | |
The Environment Shield | Uganda | |
The Soil Solution (NGO) | The Gambia | |
The STEMinist Foundation Ghana | Ghana | |
The wellbeing initiative | Nigeria | |
The Zoba Advisory | Nigeria | |
Think Big Experts-Thicos | Zambia | |
Tijjaniya Senior High School | Ghana | |
Tulonga foundation | Namibia | |
Tunaweza Organisation | Tanzania | |
Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development | Uganda | |
Umo Isua-Ikoh | Nigeria | |
UNION DES AFRICAINS DU QUÉBEC ET AMIS SOLIDAIRES DE L'AFRIQUE (UAQASA) CANADA | Canada | |
United Youth Social Symposium for Education and Development (UYSSED) | Liberia, West Africa | |
University of Juba | South Sudan | |
University of Kordofan Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies | Sudan | |
Unlimited Youth Kenya | Nairobi East, Kenya | |
URGENCE CONTRE LA FAIM (UCF) | Chad | |
Voice of The Vulnerable | Nigeria | |
Wahenga Youth Group | Kenya | |
Warembo na maendeleo | Kenya | |
Watchman Relief Association Global | Cameroon | |
Welfare Togo | Togo | |
Women Environmental Programme | Nigeria | |
Women for Green Economy Movement Uganda | Uganda | |
World March of women Kenya | National | |
Wote Youth Development Projects CBO | Kenya | |
YARD-Liberia, Inc | Liberia | |
Young And Winning (YAW) | Malawi | |
Young Liberals of Ghana | Ghana | |
Young urban women's movement | Ghana | |
Young voices of Africa | Africa | |
Young voices of Africa | Sierra Leone | |
Youth Advocacy for Good Governance | Nigeria | |
Youth Alliance Sierra Leone | Sierra Leone | |
Youth Association for Environmental Protection | Guiné-Bissau | |
Youth Climate Action Network | Sierra Leone | |
Youth Engaged for Development and Social Progress YEDSP | Congo - Kinshasa | |
Youth for Development and Human Right Advancement | Rwanda | |
youth for sustainable development -Kilifi | Kenya | |
Youth in Action for Developmental Initiatives-Liberia | Liberia, West Africa | |
Youth Power Africa | WCNA regions | |
YOUTH, HEALTH AND LEADERSHIP NETWORK | Nigeria | |
Youth4change | Nigeria | |
Youth ambassadors for democracy-yad | Nigeria | |
Zamfara State Youth Parliament | Nigeria | |
ZIMBABWE CLIMATE CHANGE COALITION | Zimbabwe |