Climate Finance Flows to Sub-Saharan Africa: A Decade in Review

Abstract

A synthesis of climate finance disbursement patterns to Sub-Saharan Africa between 2015 and 2025, highlighting persistent adaptation funding gaps.

Keywords

Full Text

This synthesis reviews climate finance flows to Sub-Saharan Africa between 2015 and 2025, drawing on OECD DAC data, multilateral climate fund disbursement records and national reporting. Total flows grew substantially over the decade, but adaptation finance consistently trailed mitigation finance by a ratio of roughly 1 to 3, despite the region's disproportionate vulnerability to climate impacts.

The paper identifies persistent structural barriers to adaptation funding access, including complex accreditation requirements for direct-access entities and short project cycles poorly suited to the long time horizons adaptation interventions typically require.

References

1. OECD. Climate Finance Provided and Mobilised by Developed Countries, 2025.
2. African Development Bank. Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program, 2024.