AWEIK at the Forefront of Africa’s Green Transition
Africa stands at a critical juncture. Despite being home to 18% of the world’s population, hosting some of the largest deposits of green transition minerals, and holding 60% of global renewable energy potential, the continent continues to face a deep energy and financing divide. Over 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, nearly a billion people don’t have clean cooking solutions, and Africa receives less than 5% of global climate finance. The result is a staggering US$2.5 trillion financing gap, even as the continent holds the very resources that can power the world’s green transition.
Against this backdrop, the 2025 Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) and the upcoming COP30 present an unprecedented opportunity to reframe the climate agenda around African-led solutions. With the theme “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development,” ACS2 is more than a policy gathering – it is a call to translate conversations into actions.
AWEIK’s Contribution: Grounding Global Ambitions in Local Realities
At the Association for Women in Energy and Extractives in Kenya (AWEIK), our mission aligns closely with ACS2’s pillars. For AWEIK, climate finance is not just an abstract figure on a balance sheet – it is about livelihoods, dignity, and opportunity. It is about ensuring that women, youth, and communities are not left behind in Africa’s green transition movement.
Financing Women and Community-Led Climate Action
Access to finance remains one of the greatest barriers for women in energy and extractives. Through our Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), AWEIK is helping women mobilize resources and bridge this gap. These community-driven financial structures have enabled women miners and entrepreneurs to access credit, invest in climate-smart equipment, and expand their enterprises without relying on traditional, exclusionary banking systems. This model shows how localized financing mechanisms can directly complement global commitments.
Building Green and Future-Ready Skills
Africa’s climate transition is not only about megawatts and minerals; it is about skills and people. AWEIK’s capacity-building programs prepare women and youth in mining and energy to adopt climate-smart techniques and lead innovation in their sectors. From workshops on clean mining technologies, to mentorship programs that foster entrepreneurship and innovation in renewable energy, we are equipping communities with the competencies needed for the jobs of today and the future.
Championing Locally-Led Adaptation and Nature-Based Solutions
The climate crisis is most deeply felt at the community level. AWEIK integrates environmental, health, and safety best practices into our programming, particularly in artisanal and small-scale mining communities. By doing so, we address immediate vulnerabilities while also contributing to broader adaptation strategies. We believe that local knowledge and innovation must be central to Africa’s climate resilience, and women are uniquely positioned to lead this transformation when given the tools and resources.
Looking Ahead: From ACS2 to COP30
ACS2 is a stepping stone to COP30 in Brazil, where the world will assess progress on the Paris Agreement’s Global Stocktake. AWEIK expects these platforms to go beyond rhetoric and secure:
- Equitable, accessible climate financing models that prioritize Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities.
- Recognition of women, youth and People Living with Disability as central actors in Africa’s energy transition and climate adaptation.
- Commitments to quality green jobs and skills development including technology transfer, ensuring the transition creates dignified, sustainable livelihoods.
- Investment in community-led solutions, scaling up what is already working on the ground rather than imposing top-down frameworks.
For Africa, the climate transition is not just about numbers or targets. It is about justice, inclusion, and unlocking the continent’s full potential as a driver of global solutions. AWEIK’s work demonstrates that when financing flows meet local capacity, innovation, and leadership, Africa can deliver a just, resilient, and green future for all.