During the Green & Resilient UrbanShift Africa Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, a coalition of mayors and governors from across Africa issued an open letter to African Ministers of Finance. This call-to-action underscores the critical need for increased financial support to drive sustainable urban development and enhance resilience against climate change. With cities contributing up to 70% of Africa's GDP, they face significant challenges due to rapid urbanization and escalating climate risks. By 2050, Africa’s urban population is projected to nearly triple, reaching 1.5 billion people. The leaders emphasize that every $1 invested in adaptation could yield up to $4 in avoided future damages. They advocate for nature-based solutions, renewable energy, sustainable housing, public transportation, and waste management to address these pressing issues.

The letter highlights the urgent need for a shift in how finance flows to African cities. Currently, sub-Saharan African cities require an estimated $155 billion annually in climate finance, but only received $5.5 billion in 2021/22. Meanwhile, billions are still being directed towards fossil fuel projects. This imbalance exacerbates underinvestment, poverty, and inequality. City leaders face barriers such as low debt limits, lack of regulatory clarity, and limited access to capital markets. Despite these challenges, they are committed to improving financial management and integrating climate risk assessments into decision-making processes.

To overcome these obstacles, the leaders propose several actions: mainstreaming climate priorities into national budgets, embedding urban needs within national policies, strengthening municipal finance frameworks, enhancing intergovernmental transfers, expanding access to sustainable finance, and establishing clear guidelines for public-private partnerships. These measures aim to ensure that cities can adequately finance climate-resilient infrastructure and projects.

The signatories recognize the pivotal role of national governments in shaping supportive policy landscapes and regulatory environments. They urge ministers to prioritize climate and nature-positive investments, streamline municipal finance governance, and facilitate private sector involvement. By collaborating on these initiatives, African cities can become more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable, playing a vital role in the continent's development.

In conclusion, the open letter reflects a collective commitment by African city leaders to address the dual challenges of rapid urbanization and climate change. Through enhanced financial mechanisms and collaborative efforts with national governments, they aim to unlock the necessary resources to build resilient, sustainable cities. The proposed actions will not only improve urban infrastructure but also contribute significantly to Africa's economic growth and environmental sustainability.