African governments have been urged to treat their upcoming national climate plans not just as environmental strategies but as opportunities to grow economies, create jobs and improve living standards across the continent.
This call was made by the United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, as countries prepare to submit their new climate action documents, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), under the Paris Agreement.
Stiell said strong climate plans can serve as blueprints for stronger economies, more resilient infrastructure and new industries across Africa.
“Strong plans open the door to large-scale investment, affordable clean energy accessible to all, and more resilient economies as climate disasters hit African nations harder each year,” Stiell said in a statement.
He added that Africa is not only suffering from climate impacts but is also home to many innovative solutions. “Right across the continent, we are already seeing massive potential and innovations that cut planet-heating pollution and build climate-resilient economies. Strong new climate plans are the key to turning that potential into real economic outcomes at scale, including millions of new jobs.”
UN Push for Submissions Ahead of COP30
The UN is asking all countries to submit their updated NDCs ahead of two major climate events — the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit in September and the COP30 negotiations scheduled for November in Brazil.
“September will be an important milestone, but submissions will continue in the run-up to COP30, with each plan helping to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius while unlocking jobs, growth and economic benefits,” the UN statement read.
It stressed that while the biggest responsibility lies with major economies whose emissions shape global warming trends, every country must bring forward its most ambitious plan to boost collective action and advance national prosperity.
South Africa, Nigeria, and Morocco in Focus
The statement highlighted different approaches already taking shape across Africa.
In South Africa, the climate plan is built around a “just transition” that protects workers and communities while scaling renewable energy. International partnerships are supporting this shift from coal to clean power, with investment commitments growing from $8.5bn to $11.6bn.
Nigeria is advancing a “whole-of-government and society” approach, linking climate action directly to job creation, poverty reduction and energy access. The UN noted that more than 85 million Nigerians still lack electricity, making renewable energy crucial.
Large-scale solar projects in Nigeria are expected to create nearly 34,000 green jobs by 2030, while the micro-solar sector already employs young people as energy officers. Other initiatives include the Great Green Wall project, which has restored over 5 million hectares of land, and the country’s vast mangrove ecosystems that provide carbon storage and flood protection.
“With its population projected to exceed 400 million by 2050 and GDP already above $470bn, Nigeria has huge potential to lead Africa’s green transition,” the UN said.
It explained that Nigeria’s new climate plan is being designed as a national investment strategy to generate millions of green jobs by 2035 and secure a share of the $2.2tn global clean energy market. Already, over 170 solar mini-grids are supplying electricity to nearly 6 million people, while entrepreneurs are making strides in recycling, clean transport and sustainable farming.
In North Africa, Morocco has emerged as a leader in renewable energy, with the Ouarzazate solar complex ranked among the largest in the world.
Climate Finance and Regional Cooperation
The UN stressed that climate finance is critical for Africa’s transition, not as charity but as investment in shared prosperity. It recalled that COP29 in Azerbaijan delivered a pledge to triple climate finance to $300bn annually, while COP30 in Brazil is expected to produce a roadmap for scaling that figure to $1.3tn by 2035.
It added that initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can help strengthen supply chains, expand green exports and drive regional prosperity.
The UN also pointed to recent events such as Climate Week in Ethiopia and the Adaptation Expo in Zambia, which showcased African innovations that could be scaled and replicated across the continent and globally.
The statement concluded by urging African governments to translate political commitments into actionable national plans that deliver both economic growth and climate justice, building on the momentum of the 2023 Nairobi Declaration and the Africa Climate Summit.
