The Adaptation Fund has recently approved a significant boost for semi-nomadic agro-pastoral communities in the Kunene River Basin, spanning Angola and Namibia. They will receive $24.55 million for a climate resilience project, supported by the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH).
This five-year project was green-lighted during the Adaptation Fund Board’s 46th meeting in Bonn, Germany. It will be led by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in partnership with Angola’s and Namibia’s environmental ministries, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Petrus Muteyauli, head of Multilateral Environmental Agreements in Namibia, credited CCFAH for its guidance in shaping the project. He emphasized Namibia’s commitment to tackling climate challenges, stating, “Namibia will continue to demonstrate leadership and commitment in the global climate arena.”
The project aims to assist communities dealing with increasing climate challenges like droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and environmental degradation. These issues threaten food security and overall resilience in the region. It also highlights the need for regional cooperation, as climate impacts often transcend borders, affecting shared ecosystems.
CCFAH’s advisers played a crucial role in developing this project, providing essential technical support and helping build the necessary institutional capacities. Their efforts included coordinating meetings among various stakeholders and ensuring the project met the funding requirements set by IFAD.
Uzoamaka Nwamarah, head of Climate Change at the Commonwealth Secretariat, noted that CCFAH’s support has shown real promise. She remarked, “This milestone emphasizes the value of ongoing climate finance readiness and institutional development.” Since 2021, CCFAH has focused on helping Namibia create a strong foundation for accessing climate funds, enhancing technical skills and coordination for sustainable resource management.
This initiative is part of a larger response from the Adaptation Fund to increasing requests from climate-vulnerable countries. The Angola-Namibia project stands out as the largest regional undertaking approved during recent funding discussions.
In terms of context, climate change is expected to displace millions by 2050, with vulnerable regions in Africa being hit hardest. According to a study by the World Bank, climate-related factors could push more than 86 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa into poverty over the next decade. This makes projects like the one in the Kunene River Basin essential for driving resilience against the coming challenges.
The way these countries band together can serve as a model for others. The shared commitment to combat climate issues demonstrates the power of collaboration in tackling global problems that affect us all.
For more information, check out the World Bank report on climate impacts in Africa.
