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Nairobi, Kenya August 9, 2023 -   More than 300 organisations from across Africa are petitioning President William Ruto of Kenya on the credibility of the Africa Climate Summit and ask him to take charge of the Africa Climate Summit whose agenda has been hijacked by foreign interests. 

In a demand letter, the civil society organisations (CSOs) have called for a reset of the focus and narrative being advanced by the Africa Climate Summit Secretariat which they argue has been hijacked by Western governments, consultancy companies, Global North think tanks and philanthropy organisations/foundations.

In particular, the African organisations have protested the involvement and prominent role of McKinsey & Company and other foreign entities in the conceptualization, design and delivery of the Summit outcomes, arguing that these foreign entities and McKinsey  do not represent the interests of Africa in the climate change discourse but the Western corporations and governments that they represent. 

The Summit, as currently designed by McKinsey and other foreign entities, they argue, largely ignores African and developing countries common positions in the climate discourse. They also argue that the Summit is deliberately designed to undermine and contradict the equity principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities which underpin and guide climate negotiations.

The African organisations and civil society movement who have come together under the banner “Make the Africa Climate Summit African”, say Africa’s priorities, including phasing out fossil fuels and promoting renewable energy systems, electrification infrastructure, Africa’s food systems, water resources, and biodiversity, have been relegated to the backburner in the agenda of the summit. 

The Africa Climate Summit had been billed as a critical platform and opportunity for Africa to set a new climate and development vision for Africa, while charting a new path in global climate negotiation processes. A lot is at stake at the Summit, not just for Africa, but also Global South countries that are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, they emphasise. 

The CSOs have also noted that the recent dropping of McKinsey as a key partner from the Summit website and suspending them in all communication, including social media posts in anticipation of the petition, is not enough. They say these organisations have already shaped the agenda and narrative of the Summit and that their removal at this stage does not affect the structure and outcome of the Summit that they have heavily influenced.

The CSOs are now urging President Ruto to initiate an immediate and rigorous restructuring of the summit through a consultative, transparent and African-driven process that elevates the continent’s concerns, interests and positions. 

Specifically, they are demanding the following measures to anchor the summit on the original course:

1. Withdrawal of the control of Mckinsey in the planning of the Summit by having an African-led expert group reshape the agenda to advance Africa’s interests and priorities.

2. Elevate the discourse on renewable energy to counter efforts by the fossil fuel industry that seek to hijack Africa’s just energy transition. 

3. Avoid discussions on all false solutions such as carbon markets and geo-engineering which are designed to encourage wealthy countries to continue polluting.

They emphasise that falling short of these demands would mean failure by President Ruto, the Government of Kenya, and the African Union to steer the summit in the right direction. It would also signal a missed opportunity for Africa to uphold the Summit’s core purpose – to champion Africa’s sustainable future.

Hardi Yakubu, Coordinator, Africans Rising Movement, warned: “A lot is at stake for Africa in the global climate conversation. This summit is a tremendous opportunity for the continent to not only chart a new path but to also set its own terms and agenda ahead of COP28 later in the year. We cannot mess up this opportunity and leave it to foreign consultancy firms, governments, think tanks and philanthropies to dictate what should be African priorities.”

Lorraine Chiponda, co-facilitator for Africa Movement Building Space, said: ‘‘Scientists have warned that temperatures are likely to rise up to 1.5 degree celsius in the next decade. This Summit should aim to build renewable energy systems and to attract investments in the sector. Africa bears the brunt of the climate catastrophe and cannot afford to promote gas as a transition fuel. This will lock the continent into perpetual debts, structural traps and stranded assets as the rest of the world goes clean.’’

Omar Elmawi, co facilitator Africa Movement Building Space stated: ‘‘Rather than front false Western-driven climate solutions such as carbon markets, this summit should lay the framework on the use of Africa’s critical minerals to set new development pathways for the continent. Africa is tired of the extractive agenda that has failed to propel meaningful development in the continent. The value-chain on critical minerals must begin and end with Africa.’’