SPP mobilizes African voices for COP30 readiness
The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), a Nigerian civil society group, is convening a pivotal engagement among African climate stakeholders as the continent gears up for COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The virtual event aims to sharpen Africa’s collective stance, focusing on development and implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and how COP30 can translate commitments into tangible results.
Why this moment matters
As of October 1, 2025, only 13 of Africa’s 54 countries have submitted their NDCs 3.0. Experts point to three primary bottlenecks: limited time, gaps in technical capacity, and insufficient financing. While negotiations continue globally, many African nations are seeking concrete pathways to scale up ambition without losing sight of practical, on-the-ground action.
This webinar is designed to explore how Africa can close the gap between commitments and implementation, ensuring that policy signals translate into investment, jobs, and resilient development. The outcomes are intended to shape Africa’s negotiating posture and bilateral engagement at COP30, with a focus on credible, actionable proposals.
What the webinar will cover
Entitled “COP30: Coordinating Ambitious NDCs Development and Implementation in Africa,” the session will offer:
- A briefing on Africa’s current NDC landscape and governing frameworks that should guide NDC development and implementation.
- Discussion of the challenges to effective implementation and how to align NDCs with sustainable development goals.
- Insights from country experiences on governance, gender, and youth participation in climate action.
- Strategic messaging for COP30 and recommendations for bilateral engagements to advance real-world emission reductions.
- Exploration of options beyond traditional targets, including how conditional targets for developing countries can be supported to unlock greater ambition by 2035.
Voices from across Africa
The webinar brings together a diverse panel of experts and practitioners, including academics, government climate officers, and civil society leaders. Notable participants include:
- Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, President, SPP (Host)
- Iskander Erzini Vernoit, Executive Director, IMAL Initiative for Climate and Development
- Gbemisola Titilope Akosa, Executive Director, Centre For 21st Century Issues (C21st)
- Samuel C. Okorie, UNFCCC Santiago Network Advisory Board Member, Youth Rep
- Peter Odhengo, Head of Climate Finance, Kenya’s FLLoCA Programme
- Tirivanhu Muhwati, Climate Scientist, Zimbabwe
- Gboyega Olorunfemi, SPP Project Lead
- Nnaemeka Oruh, Senior Policy Analyst (Climate Change), SPP
From ambition to action: what success looks like
Beyond submitting NDCs, Africa’s success hinges on translating commitments into financing, capacity-building, and implementation mechanisms. The discussion will examine how to leverage COP30 to accelerate practical climate action, including clean energy deployment, climate resilience, and sustainable development integration. Experts emphasize exploring flexible pathways that accommodate country contexts, while maintaining momentum toward a low-carbon future by 2035.
How to participate
Aspiring participants can register to join the event here: https://shorturl.at/uLZ17. The webinar is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. West Africa Time on Friday, October 31, 2025, and will be conducted online to maximize regional participation.
Looking ahead
As Africa prepares for COP30, the region faces a critical balancing act: raise ambition without compromising the feasibility of implementation. Through regional collaboration and a clear, evidence-based message, Africa can push for tangible outcomes that support sustainable development and climate resilience across the continent.
