Bridging the Climate Finance Gap: Africa’s Call for Action at the 4th Loss and Damage Conference in Lilongwe

From March 26 to 28, 2025, Lilongwe, Malawi, became the epicenter of Africa’s climate discourse as it hosted the 4th African Regional Conference on Loss and Damage. Organized by the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) and the Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC), this pivotal gathering convened government, civil society organizations, development partners, and climate justice advocates to deliberate on financing mechanisms for climate adaptation and addressing loss and damage across the continent.

The conference underscored the critical need for robust data collection to inform governmental policies on climate resilience. Dr. James Murombedzi highlighted, “In order to make decisions, any government needs data—which at the moment is a challenge, especially when it relates to weather information. The policies we develop will reflect significant investment in weather observation systems.”​

A significant theme was the global shift towards actionable strategies for loss and damage, emphasizing the urgency of delivering climate finance to the most vulnerable nations. Minister Chomani O. remarked, “The African Regional Conference on Loss and Damage and Climate Change is happening at a time when the global narrative on loss and damage has begun to shift, with increased levels of debate on practical action to be taken in addressing loss and damage in the most vulnerable countries and how climate finance should be delivered to support the actions urgently, effectively, and at scale.”​

Dr. Olufunso Somorin addressed the correlation between quantifiable climate-induced losses and adaptive capacities, stating, “The assumption is that if you have a quantifiable loss and damage as a result of climate risk, it is largely because the adaptive capabilities that were needed to minimize those risks were probably not there.”​

The conference also served as a platform for civil society leaders to call for tangible, research-driven solutions. Charles Mwangi, Head of Programmes at PACJA, emphasized the necessity for actionable strategies rooted in African contexts, while Martha Kwataine highlighted, “It is time for tangible solutions that will transform the way we tackle climate change in our nations. We need actionable solutions from our own documentation and research.”​

A recurring concern was the dilution of climate finance commitments, particularly following COP29. Delegates expressed frustration over the challenges in implementing climate solutions in developing countries, especially in Africa, due to the continent’s heavy reliance on climate-sensitive sectors.​

The conference concluded with a collective call for enhanced investment in data collection systems, the development of practical, locally-informed climate strategies, and a unified stance in global negotiations to ensure that Africa’s unique challenges and needs are adequately addressed in the international climate finance architecture.