The African Development Bank (AfDB), through funding from the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF), has revealed plans to help four African countries, Botswana, Gabon, Lesotho, and Liberia, develop long-term visions for climate-resilient and low-emission growth, with agriculture at the heart of their planning.
The initiative, led through the Africa NDC Hub, aligns with the Paris Agreement and supports countries in strengthening key sectors, particularly agriculture and forestry, to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
According to Prof. Anthony Nyong, AfDB’s Director of Climate Change and Green Growth, “These projects are a significant step in enabling these four African countries to shape their sustainable futures with confidence and clarity.”
Agriculture was a priority area across all four country plans.
Each vision outlined how to make farming systems more resilient to climate shocks while reducing emissions through smart irrigation, improved soil practices, and climate-friendly technologies. The countries also explored nature-based solutions, such as agroforestry, to improve food systems while protecting the environment.
The process involved over 175 stakeholders from governments, civil society, research institutions, and the private sector.
The agricultural strategies were integrated with each country’s broader development goals and emphasized cross-cutting themes like gender inclusion, just transition for farmers, capacity building, and access to climate finance.
