Jacob’s Ladder Africa (JLA), a leader in Africa’s green transition and youth-focused workforce development, is hosting four thematic Pre-Conference Convenings from December 3rd-6th, 2024.
The pre-conference convenings will be coming ahead of the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) led Africa Climate Summit At One (ACS@ONE Reflection Conference). This first-of-its-kind reflection conference, scheduled for February 2025 in Nairobi, marks a crucial milestone in Kenya’s path toward a sustainable, job-rich future.
Following two maiden in-person convenings on Climate Adaptation and Resilience and Youth and Children Inclusion in Climate Action on the 4th and 5th of November 2025 at Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi, these sessions, part of the larger series of six deep dives, aim to reflect on the implementation of the outcomes and commitments pertaining to Kenya, made at the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) held in Nairobi in 2023.
The sessions will bring together key stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, civil society organizations, and youth representatives, to reflect on the progress on the Nairobi Declaration and chart actionable paths forward collaboratively.
The thematic convenings will focus on four of six critical areas that form the foundation of Africa’s green and low-carbon development agenda:
- Natural Capital and Asset Utilization (December 3rd):
This session will focus on ensuring that Africa’s resources and ecosystems are recognized, valued, and managed for the benefit of both Africa and the world. It will reflect on the actions taken since the 2023 Africa Climate Summit and propose actionable resolutions to ensure that the commitments translate into impactful outcomes. - Energy Transitions (December 4th): Africa’s renewable energy potential is unmatched, yet only 2% of global renewable investments have flowed to the continent in the past decade. This session will focus on Kenya’s efforts towards: Creating an enabling environment for clean energy investments; Advancing clean cooking technologies and gender-responsive energy policies; Regional cooperation to increase Africa’s renewable energy capacity to 300GW by 2030.
The resolutions will aim to accelerate the country’s and by extension the continent’s clean energy transition and support global decarbonization efforts. - Green Transitions and Industrialization (December 5th): This session will focus on the intersection of green transitions and Kenya’s industrialization, examining pathways for sustainable growth, including: Innovations in green manufacturing and circular economy models; De-risking private sector investments in climate-resilient industries; Harnessing technology to support low-carbon industrialization. Discussions will propose strategies to align Kenya’s industrial development with its climate goals while creating green jobs and economic opportunities.
- Capital and Finance for Climate Action (December 6th): Finance remains the linchpin for achieving Africa’s climate ambitions. This session will discuss Kenya’s: Progress in mobilizing the $100 billion annual climate finance pledge; Reforms in the multilateral financial system to address Africa’s unique needs; Innovative financing mechanisms to de-risk investments and scale climate-positive projects. The outcomes will include recommendations for reshaping financial systems and securing equitable climate financing for Kenya and by extension Africa.
The Africa Climate Summit (ACS) was a turning point in highlighting Africa’s vital role in the global fight against climate change. However, the commitments made require rigorous follow-through to ensure meaningful impact is made.
The ACS@ONE Reflection Conference, preceded by these thematic pre-convenings, aims to reflect on the strides taken, celebrate milestones, identify the gaps, refine strategies while building momentum and collaborations to ensure Kenya, and Africa leads in sustainable development and climate resilience.
“As stewards of the next generation, Jacob’s Ladder Africa is committed to ensuring that Africa’s climate commitments translate into actionable, measurable outcomes,” said Sellah Bogonko, Co-Founder and CEO of JLA. “Through these thematic pre-convenings, we seek to provide a platform for honest reflection, strategic planning, and impactful collaboration.”
The February 2025 ACS@ONE Reflection Conference will consolidate the insights and resolutions from these pre-convenings, ensuring that the Nairobi Declaration remains a living framework for Africa’s sustainable development.
“ACS@ONE is not just about reflecting on the past; it’s about shaping the future,” said Sellah. “Africa holds the key to a global green transition, and through inclusive, collaborative efforts, we can unlock its full potential.”
