The Chief Executive Officer of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), Tariye Gbadegesin, has emphasized the importance of “co-creation” as a driving principle for Africa’s sustainable energy and resilience agenda. She made the remarks at the #UnstoppableAfrica forum, held in New York at the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80).
According to Gbadegesin, co-creation embodies trust, equity, and shared ownership, underscoring the need for African countries to design energy and resilience plans that reflect their unique strengths and vulnerabilities. She highlighted examples such as Kenya’s world-class geothermal potential and the Congo Basin’s crucial role in global carbon sequestration, noting that localized solutions are key to achieving lasting impact.
“For nearly two decades, CIF has championed this principle, placing country leadership at the heart of climate finance,” she said.
Gbadegesin joined an array of global leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Angolan President H.E. João Lourenço, Strive Masiyiwa, and Sanda Ojiambo, in a high-level session focused on reimagining energy, industry, and resilience across Africa.
She also shared insights from Namibia’s Industry Decarbonization Investment Program, during a session with James Mnyupe, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in advancing industrial transformation and climate-smart growth.
The forum provided a platform for Gbadegesin to engage with notable African and global leaders, including Damilola Ogunbiyi, Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, Acha Leke, and Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, in discussions aimed at driving Africa’s clean energy transition and green industrialization.
Describing the event as a “powerful start to the week,” Gbadegesin commended the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) for hosting the dialogue, noting that it marked an inspiring beginning to a series of engagements focused on accelerating Africa’s leadership in climate action and sustainable development.
