Counties Push for Direct Climate Funds to Boost Local Adaptation.

Counties Push for Direct Climate Funds to Boost Local Adaptation.

Dr Jacqueline Kado, Executive Director of the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) makes her address at the Vatican African Conference on Climate Resilience held in Nairobi

By MAXIMILLA WAFULA & PATRICK KIMANZI 

The County Diary News

Nairobi, Kenya – County leaders, scientists, and grassroots voices from across Africa have intensified calls for climate finance to flow directly to local governments and community organisations, warning that current global funding systems leave those on the frontline without the resources to adapt.

Speaking during the Vatican African Conference on Climate Resilience in Nairobi, participants stressed that Africa’s climate fight will only succeed if funding bypasses bureaucratic bottlenecks and reaches those implementing change on the ground.

“This is not just about big pledges at global summits,” said Dr Éliane Ubalijoro, CEO of CIFOR-ICRAF. “It’s about timely, equitable access to funds for the farmers, youth innovators, and local councils already responding to floods, droughts, and food crises.”

The conference — convened by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, CIFOR-ICRAF, and the Network of African Science Academies — built on commitments from the 2023 African Climate Summit and the Africa Youth Climate Assembly Declaration. Delegates agreed that weak institutional coordination, funding gaps, and technical capacity shortfalls remain Africa’s biggest hurdles to resilience.

Vihiga Governor Dr Wilber Ottichilo, chair of the Council of Governors’ Environment Committee, noted that counties are already designing climate-smart agriculture, water harvesting, and land-use plans, but lack predictable funding streams to implement them.

Faith-based groups, scientists, and indigenous knowledge holders urged partnerships that unite civil society, farming communities, and businesses -backed by larger, more accessible adaptation finance. “Africa’s resilience journey must be locally led, youth-driven, and justice-grounded,” said Dr Jacqueline Kado, Executive Director of NASAC.

The gathering concluded with a call for integrated land, water, and food system planning, informed by African research and community innovation, to secure livelihoods against worsening climate shocks.