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For thirty years, ICLEI Africa, as part of ICLEI’s strong global network, has worked alongside local and subnational governments, partners and communities to co-create solutions for thriving, resilient cities. This milestone year celebrates our progress and the bold vision driving the next chapter of ICLEI’s role in Africa’s urban transformation. From a single desk to … Continued
Rwanda is taking significant steps towards more inclusive and effective climate action by actively engaging local authorities in the development of its third Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0). The NDC 3.0 will outline the country’s revised goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change while reflecting Rwanda’s climate ambition and global climate … Continued
In recent years, the coastal city of Durban (governed by eThekwini Municipality) in South Africa has been impacted by more frequent and intense flooding events. Informal settlements, often located in flood-prone areas with inadequate infrastructure and drainage, are particularly vulnerable. When floods occur, they do not just damage structures; they displace families, disrupt livelihoods, and … Continued
Over the last decade, 11 African cities have been involved in different phases of the Urban Natural Assets (UNA) programme. The focus in 2025 has been on bringing these cities together, leveraging and building on the work done over the last 10 years to advance transformative trajectories, scale learnings, and build urban resilience. From 26–30 … Continued
African cities are home to some of the fastest urbanisation rates on the planet, driven by rapidly expanding youth populations, with high levels of ingenuity, resourcefulness and adaptability. With rapid growth, comes risks and opportunities that are set to intensify with the now very likely overshoot of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. To thrive in these … Continued
Cities are uniquely positioned to drive local action to protect our wetlands.
Clean cooking is a lifeline for millions living in Africa’s urban informal settlements. The Enabling African Cities for Transformative Energy Access (ENACT) programme, led by ICLEI Africa, is rewriting the narrative for energy access in Kampala (Uganda) and Freetown (Sierra Leone). With groundbreaking interventions, ENACT is not only improving lives but also shaping the future … Continued
A bumper year for the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA)’s Regional Mayors Forum During 2024, the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) Regional Mayors Forum (RMF), with elected representatives from all 4 subregions of SSA, representing the 380+ CoM SSA signatory cities and their populations, totalling 137+ million people, took … Continued
An inclusive just transition that truly leaves no one behind requires a strategy built on strong stakeholder engagement. South Africa’s Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) plays a key role in guiding South Africa’s just transition, and with its social partners, enabling the necessary stakeholder engagement for such. During 2024, ICLEI Africa authored a report, commissioned by … Continued
African cities are urbanising at a rapid rate. Recent statistics show that there will be an estimated 68% of people living in cities by the year 2050 compared to 55% of people living in cities today. In Africa 43% of the population live in urban areas while the rest reside mostly in rural areas. However, … Continued