Leveraging Climate Finance for Decent Jobs in Africa, Challenges and Opportunities (Online)
Presentation and objectives:
Although Africa contributes less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is the continent most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Its economies already face severe impacts on growth, employment, and poverty, while access to climate finance remains limited, with Africa receiving less than 5% of global flows. The cost of adaptation is estimated at USD 30 to 50 billion annually over the next decade, far beyond the fiscal capacity of states often burdened by high debt and borrowing costs.
Climate finance nevertheless represents a strategic opportunity to foster decent and sustainable employment. Indirectly, it can strengthen food security and agricultural productivity, critical for Africa’s labor markets. Directly, it can drive investment in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and waste management, sectors with the potential to create millions of jobs by 2030. Innovative mechanisms such as green bonds, debt-for-climate swaps, and blended finance (public and private investment) could help bridge the financing gap and accelerate a just transition.
The webinar aims to explore these challenges and opportunities, highlight transformative approaches, and provide concrete policy recommendations. Its objective is to deepen understanding of the employment impacts of climate change, promote reforms to improve access to climate finance, and support Africa’s transition to a sustainable development model.
Date & Time: October 1st, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:15 pm (UTC+1)
Format: Online (Zoom)
Interpretation: French and English
This webinar will be live streamed on: 
Available at the end of the Webinar
Speakers
Cosmas Milton Obote Ochieng, is the Director of UNECA’s Climate Change, Food Security and Natural Resources Division. He was Associate Professor at Boston University’s Pardee School and Executive Director of the African Centre for Technology Studies in Kenya. He previously served as Technical Coordinator for Economics, Business and Biodiversity at IUCN in South Africa, Climate Change Scientist at the Technical University of Denmark, and Lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture at Lancaster University.
Adam B. Elhiraika, is the Director of UNECA’s Subregional Office for North Africa. He previously served as Director of Macroeconomics and Governance Division and Macroeconomic Policy Division of ECA, and Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Sudan (2020-2022) on leave from the UN. Before joining ECA in 2004, he was a Research Economist at the Islamic Development Bank and Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at several universities. He published extensively in internationally refereed journals, books and reports.
Kamal Djemouai, is a climate change and sustainable development specialist with over 25 years of experience. Former president of the African Group on Climate Negotiations (2008–2009), he has advised African members of the Green Climate Fund, Loss and Damage Fund, and African Adaptation Initiative. He has chaired key UNFCCC bodies, contributed to the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report, and co-authored Francophonie guides. Earlier, he served 19 years as a senior official in Algeria’s environment ministry and taught at the University of Blida.
Giovanni Valensisi, has been Economic Affairs Officer at UNCTAD since 2016, specializing in structural transformation, trade, and finance for sustainable development in Africa and Least Developed Countries. A development economist with over 15 years of experience, he previously worked with UNECA in Addis Ababa, UNDP in Syria, UNCTAD in Geneva, and NGOs in Ecuador, Italy, and Guatemala. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pavia and an MSc in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics from Toulouse School of Economics.
Syed Adeel Abbas, is the World Bank’s Regional Climate Change Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, with over 20 years of experience in adaptation, resilience, disaster risk management, and green growth. Since 2012, he has led climate-smart programs, supported more than 20 operations, and guided the MENA Climate Change Roadmap. He previously managed the Bank’s global climate finance initiative, shaping $80 billion of programs. Earlier, he directed UN- and donor-supported projects worldwide. A Fulbright scholar, he holds advanced degrees in finance and sustainability.
Zoubir Benhamouche, is an Economist at UNECA North Africa Office, has a diverse background, including many years of experience in financial markets with PwC and Hiram Finance in France, and economist at the forecasting directorate of the French Ministry of Economy and Finance. He also taught economics in several universities in France. His work at UNECA focuses on productivity, governance, structural transformation, and climate change. He holds advanced degrees in Economics and Statistics, an Executive MBA, and a PhD focusing on inequality, institutions, and development.
