Africa’s Call for Justice

Upon learning that the African Union has chosen the theme 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations' for the year 2025, I was profoundly impressed and began to contemplate the various aspects it encompasses and its significant agenda. This theme underscores the vital issue of reparations, recognizing the enduring impacts of colonization and trans-Atlantic slavery on African communities and their descendants. To effectively tackle these challenges,Africa must assert its importance on the global stage to advocate for its criticalinterests. To achieve this, the pursuit of permanent representation in the United Nations Security Council must be intensified, as Africans continue to face injustices in the international arena. Therefore, Africa must strive to secure a permanent seat with veto power at the UNSC. This endeavor transcends the question of why Africa merits a permanentseat; it is about acknowledging how Africa could utilize that position to advance the world towards a more just and peaceful order. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been primarily influenced byfive permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, France, and the UnitedKingdom. This framework, an anachronism of the Second World War,inadequately represents the complexities and realities of the 21st century. Africa, consisting of 54 sovereign states, constitutes nearly one-third of the UnitedNations General Assembly and is home to over 1.4 billion individuals. Thisheterogeneous continent possesses an abundance of cultural, economic, and political assets. Nonetheless, it has been systematically marginalized from the upper echelons of decision-making within the UNSC, where only ten rotating non-permanent members possess a voice—and, crucially, lack any veto authority. This exclusion is not just a historical footnote; it perpetuates a cycle of marginalization. Decisions that profoundly affect Africa—from peacekeeping missions to sanctions—are often made without input from African nations. The legacy of colonialism, which stripped the continent of agency for centuries, finds its modern incarnation in the architecture of global governance. Africa’s historical struggle against colonialism and oppression grants it a moral authority that challenges the dominance of power politics in the UNSC. Apermanent seat for Africa would not only acknowledge the continent’s sacrificesand contributions but also symbolize a decisive shift toward justice and equity in the international system. As a permanent member, Africa would serve as a conduit between the Global North and South, championing the interests of developing nations on urgent matters such as climate change, trade equity, and debt alleviation. This representation would facilitate a transformation in global politics from a paradigm of dominance to one of cooperative engagement. Historically, Africa has been the epicenter of proxy conflicts instigated by dominant global powers. In the capacity of a permanent member, Africa would wield the power to mitigate these disputes by advocating for regional resolutions and diminishing external meddling. The legitimacy of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been subjected to scrutiny due to its pattern of selective interventions. The inclusion of African representation would necessitate the implementation of more equitable and consistent decision-making processes, thereby ensuring that all conflicts receive appropriate attention, regardless of their geographic context. The advocacy for an African permanent seat at the UNSC transcends regional concerns; it represents a significant global necessity. Leaders from all continents have voiced their support for reforming the UN to enhance representation andaccountability. It is time for the international community to act decisively and pave the way for a more just and equitable global order.

Africa’s Climate Finance Crisis: A Call for Urgent Action

Africa has contributed little to global emissions so far, but it is already being disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. Climate finance will be critical for enabling Africa to adapt to the growing impacts of climate change and to ensure that its future development path is consistent with the goal of limiting global warming to no more than 1.5°C. How Africa develops will also be critical to future emissions given that its energy use is projected to grow rapidly to meet its development needs, with its share of the world’s population projected to increase from 17 percent to 40 percent by 2100, even as the world population increases from 7.9 billion to almost 11 billion by the end of the century.

February 8, 2022

Prospects for Climate Adaptation Finance for Africa: A Glass Less Than Half Full

Financing for climate adaptation action in Africa needs to increase seven to eightfold. Climate adaptation finance flows in Africa, according to the State and Trends in Adaptation 2023 report from the Global Center for Adaptation (GCA), reached only $11 billion annually in 2019-2020, and $13.9 billion in 2021-2022. Africa may need more than $100 billion per year for adaptation. The end of 2024 brought some positive news and prospects regarding possible increases to climate adaptation finance for Africa: The commitment to triple climate finance at COP29 in Baku, and the announcement to replenish the funds of the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) to $100 billion, are encouraging signs. Unfortunately, when these numbers are looked at more closely, it is clear that they will not close the gap for climate adaptation action in Africa.

February 13, 2025

Out of Focus: Making Progress on Climate Financing for Africa

The lack of financing for climate projects in Africa is a major obstacle for the continent to reach its goals under the Paris agreement. In this critical year for climate finance, scattered efforts threaten to stymie real progress. Europeans have an interest in pushing for greater climate finance in Africa. The lack of affordable finance for climate projects in Africa is a key barrier for the continent to reach its adaptation and mitigation goals. African countries have also expressed significant dissatisfaction with the global financial system, which has held back the Europe-Africa relationship.

April 12, 2024

Vanessa Nakate Wants Climate Justice for Africa

Vanessa Nakate, a young Ugandan climate activist, discusses the urgent need for climate justice in Africa. She highlights the environmental destruction of the Congo Basin rain forest, comparable to the Amazon but receiving less global attention. Nakate raises awareness about Africa's climate crises, such as extreme weather events, locust invasions, and the drying up of Lake Chad, all exacerbated by climate change. She emphasizes the interconnectedness of climate issues across the globe, urging more diverse voices to be heard in the fight against climate change. Nakate advocates for collective action and increased awareness to address the devastating impacts of climate change on Africa's environment and its people.

October 28, 2021

Letter: Papal Call for Debt Relief Is About Pragmatism, Not Charity

Gargee Ghosh, President of Global Policy and Advocacy at the Gates Foundation, responds to a recent Financial Times article that suggested the global debt crisis among emerging markets may be easing. Ghosh argues that this view overlooks the ongoing fiscal struggles faced by over 50 low- and lower-middle-income countries. Despite apparent stability in financial markets, many countries continue to grapple with burdensome debt service costs, weak currencies, and increased demands for social and climate-related spending. These conditions threaten essential services like education and healthcare. Ghosh emphasizes the need for context-specific solutions—some countries require meaningful debt relief, while others need coordinated financial support to overcome liquidity challenges. She supports Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV’s moral advocacy for debt relief in the Jubilee year, stressing that debt sustainability initiatives are pragmatic actions that foster global stability, rather than acts of charity.

May 26, 2025

Why Africa Needs Climate-Smart Infrastructure Now

Africa’s infrastructure needs are immense—and growing. Yet the climate crisis demands that the continent builds smarter, not just more. Extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and shifting rainfall patterns are already damaging roads, energy systems, and water supplies. The cost of infrastructure failure due to climate-related events could outweigh initial investment costs in resilience. Climate-smart infrastructure, including solar mini-grids, sustainable transport, and climate-resilient agriculture systems, offers a path forward. However, these require upfront capital, technical expertise, and long-term planning—resources many African countries lack. Bridging this gap will require bold international support, including climate finance that prioritizes adaptation alongside mitigation. Africa cannot wait. Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure is not a luxury—it is a necessity for sustainable development and survival.

May 29, 2025