August 2025
Using Data for Climate Policy: Shaping Africa’s Environmental Future
Insights
The Power of Data in Climate Decision-Making
Accurate & Timely Data
Climate policy success hinges on precise, current, and actionable data. Without it, interventions risk being ineffective or misdirected.
Tailored Analytics for Africa
Africa's diverse and unique climate vulnerabilities demand bespoke analytical approaches to formulate effective and appropriate responses.
Prioritising Investments
Data-driven insights empower governments to strategically prioritise investments, allocate resources efficiently, and accurately measure the impact of climate initiatives.
African Climate Policy Centre: The Knowledge Hub
The African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) is a cornerstone of climate action on the continent, serving as a vital knowledge hub.
- Established: Founded in 2010 as a key component of ClimDev-Africa, a collaborative partnership between the African Union, UNECA, and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
- Mission: Dedicated to generating, sharing, and applying robust climate data to inform policy development, build capacity, and foster climate resilience across Africa.
- Support: Provides critical research, expert advisory services, and advocacy to support governments and local communities in navigating complex climate challenges.
ClimDev-Africa Network: Connecting for Impact
The ClimDev-Africa initiative forms a crucial network, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across the continent.
This visual representation highlights the extensive web of connections that enable the African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) to facilitate collaborative data sharing and exert significant policy influence throughout the continent.
Climate Finance Distribution by Sector (2023)
The allocation of climate finance across sectors reveals critical imbalances, with key areas remaining significantly underfunded.
- Energy Systems: Clean energy projects receive USD 9.4 billion, a mere 7% of the estimated needs.
- Fossil Fuels: Investments and subsidies for fossil fuels continue to significantly outweigh clean energy finance, totalling USD 29 billion and USD 37 billion respectively.
- AFOLU Sector: The Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector, crucial for both mitigation and adaptation, remains critically underfunded.
Climate Finance in Africa: The Stark Reality
Addressing climate change in Africa requires substantial financial investment. However, current funding levels fall far short of what is needed.
USD 30B
Annual Flow
Amount of climate finance currently flowing into Africa each year.
USD 277B
Required Annually
Estimated annual climate finance required for Africa to meet its climate goals.
11%
Requirement Met
Only a fraction of the necessary funding is currently being secured, highlighting a significant deficit.
A mere 60% of available finance is concentrated in just 10 countries, leaving vast gaps in many other regions. Public finance dominates at 86%, while the private sector contributes a mere 14%, severely limiting innovation and scaling potential.
Digital Earth Africa: Satellite Data Transforming Policy
Digital Earth Africa (DEA) is revolutionising climate action by providing free and accessible satellite data, transforming it into actionable insights for sustainable development across the continent.
Decades of Imagery
Converts vast archives of satellite imagery into decision-ready insights.
Monitoring Resources
Supports robust monitoring of critical resources like water, land degradation, and urban expansion.
Food Security & Planning
Enhances food security and enables effective climate action planning with real-time, continent-wide data.
Challenges & Opportunities in Climate Policy Analytics
Navigating the complex landscape of climate policy requires overcoming specific challenges while seizing opportunities for impactful change.
Transparency Gaps
Lack of transparency in policy engagement can lead to 'policy capture' by fossil fuel interests, as seen in some regions like South Africa, undermining climate goals.
Empowering Accountability
Advanced data tools empower civil society organisations and governments to demand greater accountability and advocate for evidence-based policy decisions.
Scaling Finance
Scaling private sector finance and developing innovative data platforms are crucial for building Africa's resilience to climate change impacts.
These challenges, while significant, present clear opportunities for leveraging data and analytics to create more robust and equitable climate policies.
Emissions Pathways for African Countries
African nations need tailored low-carbon scenarios to achieve the 1.5°C goal, balancing economic growth with decarbonisation.
- Tailored Scenarios: Unique low-carbon pathways for key African nations (e.g., South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya).
- Energy Sector: The largest source of emissions; coal's role is significant but declining.
- Just Transition: Balancing economic development with urgent decarbonization goals.
Conclusion: Data-Driven Climate Policy is Africa’s Path to Resilience
Smarter Investments
Harnessing the power of analytics unlocks smarter investments, enables the creation of stronger policies, and fosters inclusive economic growth.
Collaborative Success
Effective collaboration between data hubs, national governments, and local communities is absolutely key to achieving sustainable climate outcomes.
Decisive Action
Africa's future resilience depends on its ability to translate raw data into decisive and impactful climate action, starting today.
Produced by GreenDatalytica Initiative
GreenDatalytica is a Lagos-based data-driven civil society organization leveraging analytics and research to improve energy access, environmental performance, and climate outcomes across Africa.
© 2025 GreenDatalytica Initiative. All rights reserved.