Nairobi, Kenya, September 17, 2024 – Three start-ups from C4DLab, a leading incubation hub at the University of Nairobi, on September 16, 2024 won top awards at the 4th Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) Partnership Forum.
Appen Softwares, co-founded by Shem Mbandu and Patience Tamara Idaya, RoiSUM co-founded by Benson Odongo and Joram Ng’iti, and Flip ORG co-founded by Samuel Otieno and Mercy Ndanu, among eight Kenyan start-ups, demonstrated innovative solutions to climate change challenges. These three were among the 40 winners selected from across Africa through AAAP.
The three winning start-ups demonstrated their potential to address climate challenges through their innovative projects. RoISUM, an AI-powered tool, monitors road surface conditions to enhance climate resilience in the roads sector. FLIPS ORG utilizes machine learning and remote sensing for real-time flood monitoring and early warning. Apen Softwares’ SADMOS system aims to build resilience in bridges against climate change impacts through ICTs.
Among the notable attendees were Prof. Patrick Verkooijen, CEO, Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) and Chancellor, University of Nairobi; Dr. Kevin Kariuki, Vice-President, Power, Energy Climate Change & Green Growth, African Development Bank (AfDB); Homabay Governor, H. E. Gladys Wanga; and Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, PS, State Department for Environment and Climate Change.
Some members of the Diplomatic Corps were also present in French Ambassador to Kenya, H. E. Arnaud Suquet; and Nowergian Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Geir Arne Schei.
Global Leaders Call for Climate Action
Professor Verkooijen emphasized the urgency of climate adaptation, stating, “We are all living on the frontline of climate emergency.” Dr. Kariuki underscored the need for scaled-up actions and financing to address climate change impacts. The French Ambassador to Kenya, H. E. Arnaud Suquet, highlighted the importance of tangible results from climate adaptation initiatives. Norway, represented by Geir Arne Schei, expressed its commitment to partnering with GCA to build Africa’s resilience.
Local Leadership and Community Engagement
Homabay Governor, Gladys Wanga, emphasized the need for locally led adaptation solutions, citing the challenges her county faces due to extreme weather events. She called for partnerships to enable local communities to adapt to climate change and build resilience.
National Government Commitment
Engineer Ngéno, speaking on behalf of Hon. Aden Duale, CS Environment and Climate Change and Forestry, said that “Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to climate change due to issues like poverty limiting access to necessities and resources, and conflicts.”
Kenya recently faced the most severe drought in 40 years, the PS noted, and praised AAAP’s efforts in using digital technology to respond to climate change challenges in areas of food security in a data-driven way.
“Yet financing for climate adaptation is awfully inadequate across the continent, with inflows for the purpose being 5-10 times below the estimated needs, and the situation is getting worse,” said the PS. This necessitates a scale-up of climate adaptation finance in Africa, which continues to bear the brunt of climate change impact even though it has the least carbon footprint (barely 4%). His conclusion was that Africa needs not just survive but also thrive in the face of climate change.
Financial Commitment for Climate Adaptation
The forum highlighted the critical role of climate finance in accelerating adaptation efforts. With an annual adaptation financing gap of US$41 billion for African countries, increased investment is urgently needed.
GCA has set a target of mobilizing over $25 billion in investments by 2025 to support Africa’s adaptation efforts. Through the AAP, GCA and AfDB are working to leverage these investments to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
C4DLab’s Impact
The success of C4DLab’s start-ups at the AAP Partnership Forum demonstrates the program’s effectiveness in nurturing innovative solutions to climate change. By providing support and resources to young entrepreneurs, C4DLab is contributing to a more sustainable and resilient Africa.
As the world faces the challenges of climate change, C4DLab’s commitment to fostering innovation and empowering young people is more important than ever. By nurturing a new generation of climate change champions, C4DLab is helping to shape a brighter future for Africa.
About Global Centre on Adaptation
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization working to accelerate action on adapting to climate change. We support adaptation solutions at the international and the local levels, partnering with the public and the private sector.
Founded in 2018, our global headquarters is hosted by the Netherlands in the largest floating office in the world in Rotterdam. We have regional offices in Africa, South Asia and Asia Pacific, and a knowledge and research hub in Groningen, the Netherlands.
Mission: It aims to climate-proof the planet against the effects of global warming. We do this by finding, Incubating, and implementing ways to accelerate and innovate climate adaptation at scale, building a stronger and more prosperous climate-resilient world.
Vision: Adaptation to our changing climate secures progress towards sustainable development,