African Development Bank Showcases Gender-Responsive Climate Finance at Africa Climate Summit

The African Development Bank convened high-level discussions on scaling gender-responsive climate solutions at the Second Africa Climate Summit.

The event "Scaling Up Gender-Responsive Climate and Energy Solutions: From Finance to Policy and Data" featured the announcement by Bank Group investment partner KawiSafi Ventures that 35% of its $90 million fund will target female-founded energy transition companies going forward.

It was held at the African Development Bank Pavilion in Addis Ababa's International Convention Center to showcase partnerships that are channeling finance to women-led climate businesses.

The Bank's response includes its flagship Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) program and partnerships with Climate Investment Funds, which have provided pathways to support women-led enterprises, unlock climate finance, and embed gender-responsive reforms in policies. It also partners with civil society organizations to drive grassroots implementation of gender-responsive climate solutions.

The panel, moderated by Mehjabeen Alarakhia, Regional Policy Specialist at UN Women’s East and Southern Africa regional office, included representatives from Climate Investment Funds, South Africa's National Business Initiative, Farm Africa, and. Speakers included Noluthando Mthimkulu from National Business Initiative, South Africa, Angela Muraguri, Investment Manager at KawiSafi Ventures, and Billo Denabo from Farm Africa.

Africa remains among the regions most vulnerable to climate change, with extreme weather events, shifting rainfall patterns, and declining agricultural productivity all exacerbating inequalities. Women in rural Africa face disproportionate impacts yet remain largely excluded from climate finance and decision-making processes.

Muraguri announced that 35% of KawiSafi's $90 million Fund II will target female-founded companies, while acknowledging this would only scratch the surface of systemic gender inequality. She called for expanded partnerships to drive further progress. KawiSafi is an AFAWA partner.

"Women, particularly in rural areas, are bearing the brunt of these shocks while often being excluded from decision-making, finance, and opportunities in the green economy," said Jemimah Njuki, the Bank Group's Director of Gender, Women Empowerment and Civil Society. "When women are empowered as leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs, our collective response to climate change becomes stronger."

The Climate Investment Funds' Farah Outeldait emphasized energy sector outcomes: "When women are empowered in energy systems – as users, entrepreneurs or decision-makers – we see that access improves, resilience grows and communities thrive."

Beyond financing projects, the African Development Bank positions itself as a standard-setter for inclusive climate action, as well as a financier and knowledge broker.

Kidanua Gizaw, coordinator of the Bank's partnership with Climate Investment Funds, said: "Through the climate funds we partner with and implement, we are ensuring that women and youth are at the center of Africa's climate transition."

Cover photo:  Participants of the AfDB’s side event on gender-responsive climate solutions during the Africa Climate Summit